1. Diversity Intern Reception
Welcome to Charlotte
Diversity Intern Reception
June 27, 2007

2. Chamber Vision
“Charlotte and the Charlotte Region is the best place to run a business and to live.”

3. Chamber Mission
“The Charlotte Chamber works to grow the economy, to serve as a voice for business and to deliver value…in order to ignite success for our members and for Charlotte.”

4. City Rankings
2nd out of 50 for the Best Cities for Entrepreneurs ~ Entrepreneur magazine
4th Best City for Singles Relocating ~Worldwide ERC & Primacy Relocation
#1 Best City for Black Families ~
Charlotte’s ranked 6th (out of 53) of the Smartest Cities ~

5. Strong Quality of Life
Charlotte has been ranked one of the hottest and most affordable housing markets by U.S. News & World Report.
Charlotte ranks 3rd on the Housing Affordability Index

6. Strong Quality of Life Average Apartment Rent Charlotte $672 D.C.
$1,649
Atlanta
$742
Average New Home Price
Charlotte
$215,960
D.C.
$606,105
Atlanta
$268,367

7. Drive Time Average drive time in Charlotte is 26 minutes
Light Rail & Bus System
Bike Lanes
Remember the less you commute the better your quality of life

8. Transportation Logistics
Public Transportation

9. Transportation Logistics
3rd Parallel Runway

10. What We Offer Culture, Adventure and More
Charlotte has more than 10 museums
Charlotte has 210 parks, not to mention 6 frisbee golf parks
Home to the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Bobcats, Charlotte Checkers, Charlotte Knights and Charlotte Eagles and Lady Eagles

11. Charlotte Center City

12. What We Offer Culture, Adventure and More
Sophisticated, funky, laid back, urban and rural areas of town
Three lakes – Lake Norman, Lake Wylie and Mtn. Island Lake
NASCAR Hall of Fame, Whitewater Park, Performing Arts Center, Lowe’s Motor Speedway
3 hours from the beach and 2 hours from the mountains

13. Envision Charlotte!
NASCAR Hall of Fame

14. Envision Charlotte!
U.S. National White Water Center

15. Charlotte’s Economy 2007 Healthcare Plastics and Rubber Manufacturing
Automotive and Motor Sports
Finance, Insurance and Professional Services
Logistics
Wholesale Trade
Tourism

16. Charlotte’s Economy cont.
Emerging Industry
Defense
Biotechnology & Pharmaceutical
Optoelectronics
Precision Metrology

17. Future Planning
Kannapolis Bio-Tech Research Center

18. Population Changes 2007 2027 City 664,342 1.1 million County 871,432
MSA
4.5 million
Annual In-migration
50,000
120,000

19. Major Headquarters 2007 2027 Fortune 500 Headquarters 9 14
National Rank
6th
5th
Note: Charlotte will move ahead of Chicago with only New York, Houston, Atlanta and Dallas having more Fortune 500 headquarters.
NUCOR

20. Schools
CMS Best Rated in the Country

21. What Will Charlotte Look Like in 2027?