The Research Triangle Park

A Round of Applause for the Research Triangle

It’s no secret that the Research Triangle region is a great place to live and do business. Folks in RTP and the surrounding area know that first-hand. But when it comes to spreading the word, we’re also fortunate to be frequently recognized by some major publications.

We try to keep track of these accolades, as you’ll see in the scrolling news crawl at the top of this post. Here are details on some of the recent “great reviews” the region has been getting:

Perhaps the most exciting honor to share is Raleigh’s #1 ranking as America’s Best City by Bloomberg Businessweek (September 2011). Around here we’re no stranger to being Number 1, but of course this bit of news is particularly remarkable since it’s a measure of all-around excellence. Businessweek cites Raleigh’s numerous restaurants, museums, abundant park land, and good schools in explaining their selection of Best City. They also note the strength of the local economy, bolstered by high-tech industry, as well as the numerous cultural amenities the city offers – from concerts to the Canes to the State Farmers Market.

And don’t worry, Durham isn’t overlooked on the list – they appear at #37 thanks to their status as the “City of Medicine.” Oh and did you know that among the top-ranked cities, Durham offers some of the best air quality and lowest volume of foreclosures?

Cary is also receiving time in the spotlight as the #5 Most Inventive City in America, according to The Daily Beast (October 2011). This ranking considers the number of patent applications per capita. Durham and Raleigh make it onto the list at #16 and #19, respectively. With 3 entries, North Carolina has the second highest number of Inventive Cities, after California.

North Carolina consistently ranks in the top tier for states with excellent business climate. Development Counsellors International recently jumped on the bandwagon by naming NC the #2 Best State for Business Climate (September 2011).

Forbes magazine seems quite enamored with the Raleigh metro area, having bestowed twin #2 rankings this past July: #2 Best City for Young Professionals and #2 Next Big Boom Town in the US. These honors follow on the heels of June’s announcement of Raleigh as the #1 Best Place for Business and Careers (with Durham coming in at #31) and May’s ranking of Raleigh-Cary as the #2 Fastest Growing City, all by Forbes. Raleigh’s appeal to young professionals is based on the high number of college degree recipients and the competitive salaries they receive. Its status as a “Boom Town”, meanwhile, factors in the high number of folks moving to the area, coupled with job growth.

A common thread running through many of these accolades is that the region continues to see signs of economic growth and recovery, with below-average unemployment. Several key advantages are consistently highlighted:  the strength of the region’s universities, the educational attainment of the workforce, and the role RTP plays as a hub of innovation. With all of that going for us, don’t expect it to be long before we have more accolades and honors to report!