Situated in the heart of North Carolina, the Region is ideally suited to meet business, educational and leisure needs. Those either yearning for the bright lights and glamour of a large and growing city or for a quieter, slower-paced lifestyle can find it in one of the numerous rural communities surrounding the Raleigh-Durham area. With world-class centers of higher learning such as Duke University, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, N.C. State University and six other bachelor’s degree granting schools, a top-notch undergraduate or graduate education is just around the corner.

Each county in the region also has a community-college campus that ties into North Carolina’s extensive community-college system, which is consistently rated as one of the best in the U.S. These schools are the bedrock of a strong and capable workforce, which has turned the Research Triangle Region into a world leader in fields such as information technology, engineering and pharmaceuticals. Although technological advancements have transformed the region’s economy, traditional brick-and-mortar industries continue to thrive, due in large part to the state’s prime location and superior infrastructure.

The region boasts a large and expanding international airport, along with several smaller regional jetports ideally suited to handle executive and business flights in the rapidly expanding business world. Daily freight rail service is provided in every county, and Amtrak stops in the region 10 times daily. Three interstates crisscross the region, with expansions under way or completed on most major U.S. highways that pass through the region.

The Research Triangle Region is located halfway between New York and Florida, with road and rail access to every major seaport on the East Coast, allowing for convenient access to international markets. With the North Carolina coastline two hours from the region and the picturesque North Carolina mountains a mere three hours away, leisure opportunities are endless.

Within the region, there are many world-class golf courses, including the world-renowned Pinehurst No. 2, location of the 2005 U.S. Open Championship; and Pine- Needles, site of the 2007 U.S. Women’s Open Championship. The region also boasts the best college basketball in the world, the storied Durham Bulls minor-league baseball team and defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.

While the region is in love with its sports teams, there is not a lack of cultural alternatives. The North Carolina Museum of Art in Raleigh offers a refreshing alternative to the intense rivalries along Tobacco Road, regularly featuring exhibits by artistic greats such as Picasso, Van Gogh and Monet. There are countless performances each year in various local theaters, and the area routinely hosts off-Broadway shows.

With so much diversity concentrated in such a small area, it is possible for everyone to find a comfort zone in the welcoming heart of North Carolina. Whether you prefer a sprawling metropolis or rural area, the Research Triangle Region can accommodate all.

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