Research underway for the latest edition of Invest: Charlotte
September 2025 — Long known for its financial leadership, growing tech presence, higher education hubs, and industrial base, the greater Charlotte region is evolving rapidly. As national and global forces reshape economies, local stakeholders are rethinking strategies to foster resilience, equity, and long-term competitiveness.
Now in development, the sixth edition of Invest: Charlotte will feature exclusive interviews with over 200 influential voices across business, government, and education, along with caa’s signature economic sector-by-sector analysis tailored to the Charlotte region.
“Charlotte’s strength lies in its ability to embrace growth while staying grounded in community values. It’s a region where business leaders are not just building for today but thinking ten steps ahead,” said Abby Lindenberg, founder and CEO of caa. “With Invest: Charlotte, we’re capturing that spirit — a combination of vision, resilience, and the kind of collaborative energy that truly moves markets forward. This isn’t just about growth statistics; it’s about the leaders who wake up every day asking, ‘What’s next, and how can we do it better — together?’”
Despite macroeconomic headwinds, data from the 1Q25 Growth Report by the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance show continued investment momentum across the region. Total capital investment rose 13% year over year, driven by strong activity in manufacturing. The region added 1.8 million square feet of new industrial space, with more than 60% of announced projects tied to the manufacturing sector.
Demographically, the Charlotte metro area is seeing robust population growth. Between July 2023 and July 2024, the area gained 57,300 residents through migration alone, equaling 157 new residents per day. All 15 counties in the region posted population gains, with Mecklenburg County accounting for roughly 22,000 new residents, a 1.9% annual gain. Notably, international migration represented 49% of the region’s net growth.
Invest: Charlotte will explore these themes and more through exclusive insights from key stakeholders and in‑depth analysis of the challenges and opportunities shaping the Charlotte economy.
About caa & Invest: Charlotte
caa is an integrated media platform that produces in-depth business intelligence through its annual print and digital economic reviews, high-impact conferences and events, and top-level interviews via its video platform, Invest:Insights.
Invest: Charlotte 6th Edition is an in-depth economic review of the key issues facing the Charlotte greater region, featuring exclusive insights from more than 200 economic leaders, sector insiders, elected officials, and institutional heads. The publication aims to 1) equip local, national, and international investors with comprehensive insights on the region and 2) promote Charlotte as a competitive, innovative, and collaborative place to do business.
The report conducts a deep dive into the top economic sectors in the region, including real estate, construction, infrastructure, banking and finance, legal, healthcare, education, and tourism. The publication analyzes the leading challenges facing the market and uncovers emerging opportunities for investors, entrepreneurs, and innovators.
The caa team is currently connecting with stakeholders across the region to gather perspectives and analysis that will define this year’s edition. Invest: Charlotte is a unique opportunity for the business community to share its story with a national and global audience.
For more information, contact:
Shain Collins
Senior Executive Director
Jerrica DuBois
Senior Editor
