International City: Charlotte, NC

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An International City With Small-Town Appeal 

Not long ago, Charlotte could fly under the radar of most international city watchers. Not anymore. This city with deep business roots and a rich economic base strengthened by diverse industry is now a magnet that attracts foreign-owned companies and valuable employees.

Charlotte is a multicultural metropolitan area that embraces diverse ideas, opinions, business operations and residents. Foreign-owned firms enrich our business community, cultural amenities and daily lives. In turn, Charlotte offers an environment that helps foreign-owned firms grow and makes foreign-born workers feel at home.

Over 850 foreign-owned firms, representing 39 countries, provide jobs to over 50,000 workers in the 116 county Charlotte region. 

Pro-business climate

Charlotte is one of the most business-focused cities in the United States. For three years running, North Carolina claimed the top spot in Site Selection magazine’s listing of the best business climates in North America. The magazine ranked Charlotte number one on its list of top 10 U.S. cities for foreign investment. The Queen City has such a pro-business environment that 326 of Fortune’s top 500 companies have placed one or more facilities within Mecklenburg County.

For foreign-owned firms in particular, Charlotte offers exceptional air service, foreign trade zones, transparent government and business practices and numerous non-profit organizations that focus on international business, foreign policy and global culture. Charlotte-Mecklenburg is home for the honorary consuls of Austria, Canada, France, Germany, Guatemala, Mexico Nicaragua and Switzerland.

More than one-third of the 1,373 manufacturing firms in Mecklenburg County are involved with importing or exporting goods. The Charlotte Foreign-Trade Zone, which allows goods to be brought in from overseas duty-free and stored or manufactured into a product, is one of the largest in the state.

The Charlotte chapter of the North Carolina World Trade Association, which promotes international trade, is one of the largest in the nation.

Charlotte is also known for being the world headquarters of Bank of America, the nation’s largest bank. This bank operates in 225 cities in 43 countries, including the financial capitals of Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Mexico City, Milan, Paris, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo and Zurich. More banking resources are headquartered in Charlotte than in any other U.S. city except New York. 

High quality of life
Charlotte’s high quality of life, below-average cost of living, world-class arts and major league sports, as well as abundant opportunities attract talented individuals from around the globe. Approximately 13 percent of Mecklenburg’s population was born outside of the United States.

People like living here, and companies based in Charlotte successfully recruit highly talented individuals from around the world and all regions of the U.S.

Market access

Charlotte Douglas International (CLT) Airport offers extensive commuter and airfreight services. Home to US Airways’ largest hub, the airport offers non-stop service to more than 179 different cities, including Frankfurt, Munich, London, Montreal, Paris, Toronto, the Caribbean and several Mexican cities. Roughly 655 flights leave Charlotte daily.

Charlotte ranks 34th nationwide in air cargo. More than 132,000 tons of cargo were enplaned in Charlotte in 2008. More than 500,000 square feet of warehouse space in the Charlotte Air Cargo Center offers quick proximity to runways, railways and interstate highways.

Charlotte is at the heart of a highway and railroad system that stretches across the Eastern and Southern United States. Most of the nation's largest trucking companies have facilities here.  The Charlotte region links to 23 states with two major rail systems, Norfolk Southern and CSX.  Some 600 trains pass through Charlotte weekly.

Emphasis on education
Charlotte’s future strength is in development today in schools across Mecklenburg County. The Charlotte-Mecklenburg School (CMS) system supports and encourages cultural and foreign-language education and operates five language immersion schools for students who study German, French, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese or Spanish. More than 10,000 CMS students speak a foreign language, representing a total of 97 different languages and 152 countries of origin.

Eight international schools also help students maintain language skills and cultural identity while they are in Charlotte: a Japanese school, a German school, two Chinese schools, a Korean school, a Greek school, a Swedish School, and a Russian school.

Many of the colleges and universities in the Carolinas are recognized for their excellence both nationally and internationally.

Charlotte is a city of educated individuals. We were recently ranked as America’s sixth most literate city based on the percentage of residents having a high school diploma or greater and the percentage of residents with a bachelor’s degree.

A great destination
Whether you are considering expanded business operations or a new home for your company’s headquarters, Charlotte deserves your consideration. We live for business and make business easy to do.