Andrew Miracle, Director of Economic Development, Durham County

Invest: spoke with Andrew Miracle, director of economic development for Durham County, about the county’s growing momentum in business recruitment, the strength of its biopharma sector, and the importance of connecting local residents to opportunity. “The more people we can funnel into career pathways, the greater the impact we can have. That is how we approach building a more inclusive economy,” Miracle said.

What changes over the past year have most shaped Durham County’s economic development strategy?

For context, our department is part of a local government entity, and we work to carry out the economic development priorities of the County Commissioners and the County Manager. Currently, we work across three program areas: business recruitment, workforce development, and small-business support.

Over the past year, we have seen a significant uptick in business recruitment, which is a great sign. A year or two ago, companies were more hesitant, exploring whether it was the right time to move forward with capital projects. That has now shifted, and we are seeing that interest materialize.

In that time, and in partnership with the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce, we have landed major projects, including AbbVie, Aspida, and Novartis, and we have active projects in the pipeline. Our focus is on maximizing this opportunity by working closely with our partners to ensure site visits and presentations are as strong as possible.

We are also leaning into community partnerships to help companies integrate locally and understand workforce development opportunities. That approach helps align with our county’s priorities while also supporting companies’ long-term success.

How would you describe Durham County’s economic landscape? Where do you see the strongest momentum?

At a high level, our largest employers are Duke Health and Duke University, which together make up about 20% of our workforce. We also have strong representation in multiple technology sectors.

However, the strongest momentum in business recruitment and GDP contribution is in advanced manufacturing, particularly biopharma manufacturing. The production of drugs and vaccines is a major driver of our local economy and continues to attract strong interest.

This sector offers meaningful career pathways, including entry-level positions, advancement opportunities, competitive wages, and benefits. Given long-term demand, especially with an aging population, we expect this sector to remain strong.

What are companies looking for when considering Durham County today?

Talent remains the most important factor. If we cannot fill the jobs being created, it becomes difficult to compete. The Triangle’s strength lies in its talent and education ecosystem, from top-tier universities to community colleges, which consistently produce a high-quality workforce.

Quality of life and cost of living also play in our favor compared to other regions.

More recently, infrastructure capacity has become a critical factor. Site readiness, including water, wastewater, and energy availability, is essential and can be the sole factor in a project’s success.

Workforce development is a key priority. How are you ensuring residents can access these opportunities?

This is a top priority for County leadership. While we have been successful in attracting companies, years ago we recognized that not enough residents were accessing those opportunities.

Through partnerships with organizations like Made in Durham, Durham Tech, and NC Biotech, we focused on building pathways into high-growth, high-wage sectors like biopharma manufacturing.

One key tool is the BioWork certificate, a statewide credential that can be completed in about five months and prepares individuals for entry-level roles in life sciences.

We then worked to identify barriers preventing pursuit of certification, especially among disconnected youth. This included lack of awareness, financial constraints, and limited access to support systems.

That led to the creation of the Bulls Life Sciences Academy, which provides coaching, mentoring, and financial support. The county has invested about $4 million into the program, including stipends of up to $10,000 for participants.

The results have been strong. We have completed 13 cohorts and graduated 205 individuals, with an 82% overall graduation rate and 97% in recent cohorts. At least 78 graduates are now employed in life sciences companies in the Triangle, collectively earning about $4 million in new wages as of January.

It is a powerful example of how targeted workforce strategies can drive economic mobility.

What are the biggest needs for small businesses, and how is the county supporting them?

Small business support is another priority for the County. Durham benefits from a strong ecosystem, with more than 25 entities offering some form of technical assistance or support to entrepreneurs.

During the pandemic, we partnered with the city to launch a loan fund, distributing close to $2 million in small business loans. Access to capital remains one of the biggest challenges for entrepreneurs.

As a local government, our ability to provide direct financial support is limited by state regulations, but we can provide technical assistance and support partner organizations that deliver those services.

One of the programs that we support directly is Innovate Durham. Run in partnership with the city, it connects entrepreneurs with local government departments to test ideas, access data, and refine their products, while also helping address local challenges. It is a small program, but it provides meaningful, hands-on support.

How are you ensuring economic growth is inclusive as the county expands?

At the most basic level, we need to continue growing the economy. That growth is essential to expanding the tax base and maintaining services, especially as we face slower growth in tax revenues.

Beyond that, inclusivity comes from the types of companies we recruit and the pathways we create. We prioritize companies that offer career progression, entry-level opportunities, and strong wages. 

We also rely heavily on our partners, particularly Durham Tech, which plays a critical role in aligning training programs with employer needs.

The more people we can funnel into career pathways, the greater the impact we can have. That is how we approach building a more inclusive economy.

What broader challenges are shaping Durham County’s outlook?

Childcare is a major issue. A recent report from N.C. Commerce estimated that the lack of affordable, high-quality childcare costs North Carolina’s economy about $5.5 billion. It affects workforce participation, absenteeism, and overall economic productivity.

While it is a complex challenge, the County is investing in initiatives like universal pre-K to support early education and long-term outcomes.

Housing affordability and transportation are also key concerns, as they directly impact where people can live and work.

AI is becoming an increasingly important factor. Its impact on entry-level jobs is already emerging and will continue to reshape the workforce. The challenge will be ensuring that individuals can adapt and transition into new roles.

But there are also areas of strong demand, such as engineering and nursing. Partnerships like the Early College of Health Sciences, involving Durham Tech, Duke, and Durham Public Schools, are helping build pipelines into these critical fields.