The North Carolina Economic Development Association’s 2025 Site Selectors Summit and Spring Conference provided an excellent opportunity for EDR staff—Mark Pope, Trey Cash, and Julie Graham—to network and learn about the latest trends in economic development from leaders across the state. Notable speakers at the event included Governor Josh Stein, Christopher Chung, executive director of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina; Lee Lilley, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce; and Joe Melvin, Vice President of North Carolina’s Southeast.
Key topics discussed at the conference included the importance of maintaining North Carolina’s competitive edge in economic development, workforce preparedness, and investment in site readiness, infrastructure, and job creation in rural communities.
EDR staff took this opportunity to share the benefits of the EDR region with the twenty-nine top-tier site selector consultants who attended from across the United States. This engagement allowed them to discuss current initiatives and learn more about various sites throughout the state.
Additionally, EDR was a Silver Sponsor for the event and proudly sponsored the Monday Golf Outing on the beautiful Pinehurst greens, which served as a valuable networking opportunity.
