North Carolina was recently named the #1 state in the country for manufacturing by Site Selection Group—a comprehensive location advisory firm. Their 2024 rankings, released just before Thanksgiving, highlight NC as the ideal location for manufacturers to set up shop.
This is big news for the Tar Heel state. The recognition reflects NC’s favorable demographics, skilled workforce, robust infrastructure, low cost of doing business, and proximity to consumer bases and major ports. It also underscores the state’s business-friendly climate, positioning it as a magnet for growth. Companies planning to launch or expand their manufacturing presence here in 2025 can leverage these advantages to increase operational efficiency, reduce costs, and access diverse markets.
With that said, every opportunity comes with challenges. Success in NC doesn’t just hinge on operational excellence—it will depend on effective public engagement.
Being recognized as the best state for manufacturing puts NC in the spotlight, attracting interest from industry leaders while intensifying competition for resources, talent, and community support. New projects are sure to face scrutiny from residents, environmental groups, and other stakeholders. For companies looking to succeed, public engagement will be a critical strategy—not just for addressing concerns, but for building trust and fostering the support necessary to thrive.
So let’s talk more about the role of public engagement.
Public engagement is about creating meaningful, two-way communication with key stakeholders, including local communities, government leaders, and industry groups. But it goes beyond effective communication; it involves organizations embedding themselves into the very fabric of the communities they serve.
Companies must actively listen to concerns, align with local values, and contribute in ways that matter most to stakeholders. This deliberate, sustained effort begins with a few key questions and achieves a number of critical outcomes—I’ll name a few.
Key questions to guide public engagement:
- Who are the stakeholders? Identify the communities, organizations, and leaders impacted by your project.
- What challenges or misconceptions exist? Prepare to address resistance with facts and empathy.
- How can we demonstrate value? Highlight the economic, social, and environmental benefits your project will bring.
Critical outcomes of effective public engagement:
- Builds trust: Proactive communication fosters goodwill and positions companies as trusted partners.
- Creates certainty: Early engagement helps mitigate NIMBY sentiment and addresses concerns about environmental impacts, land use, and infrastructure.
- Garners support: Transparent and inclusive dialogue turns skeptics into advocates and prevents issues before they arise.
At E&V, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities companies face in NC. Our connections with community leaders, policymakers, and industry groups give our clients a critical edge. With tailored strategies and a proven track record in securing community buy-in and mitigating opposition, we help businesses align their goals with the communities they serve.
If you’re planning to establish or expand in NC—shoot me a note. Whether you’re launching a new service or scaling your operations, we have the expertise and relationships to help you thrive in this dynamic environment.
Oh, and I’ll take any #1 ranking as an excuse to say, Go Heels!
