Spotlight On: Lee Lilley, Secretary of Commerce, North Carolina Department of Commerce
Key points:
- • North Carolina is prioritizing workforce, infrastructure, innovation, and community development.
- • Life sciences, technology, and advanced manufacturing continue to drive major investment.
- • Talent development and AI readiness are central to sustaining long-term economic growth.
August 2026 — Invest: spoke with Secretary of Commerce Lee Lilley of the North Carolina Department of Commerce about the state’s competitive advantages, workforce strategy, infrastructure investments, and long-term economic priorities. “At the end of the day, our mission is to cultivate conditions for prosperity in every corner of the state,” Lilley said.
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What changes over the past year have had the greatest impact on North Carolina’s economy, and what do they signal about the state’s direction?
Last year was a banner year for North Carolina. We welcomed a new administration under Gov. Josh Stein, were named CNBC’s Best State for Business for the third time in four years, set a record with 35,000 announced jobs and $24 billion in capital investment through economic development, and were also recognized by Site Selection Magazine as the best state for economic development and workforce development.
What matters most is seeing those accomplishments translate into opportunities for people across North Carolina. Under Gov. Stein, we have focused on maintaining a warm and welcoming business climate, with talent and workforce at the center of our strategy.
When we meet with companies and investors around the country and around the world, the question they ask most often is whether we have the workforce they need. We are fortunate to have the third fastest-growing population in the country since 2020, and the Raleigh-Durham region continues to attract talented people. We are also investing in those already here through education and workforce development.
One example is the Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships, which I co-chair alongside leaders from the General Assembly and the North Carolina Community College System. Our community colleges are really our secret weapon in workforce development. The council is focused on expanding work-based learning, doubling registered apprenticeships, and increasing participation in career and technical education. We set a record last year for participation in CTE programs across public K-12 education.
At the end of the day, our mission is to cultivate conditions for prosperity in every corner of the state. You cannot do that unless you have great talent and the ability to train, reskill, and upskill that workforce.
We also released a new four-year statewide economic development strategy, First in Opportunity, built around four priorities: infrastructure, innovation, workforce, and community. Across the state, communities consistently tell us they need stronger access to healthcare, childcare, and housing, all of which support long-term economic growth.
How important are infrastructure, site readiness, and quality of life when companies compare North Carolina to other states?
Infrastructure is one of the four pillars of our strategy. That includes transportation, broadband, water, wastewater, and industrial site readiness.
North Carolina has invested heavily in shovel-ready industrial sites since COVID. We support both large megasites and smaller development-ready properties, along with a state site certification program that gives companies confidence about development timelines, costs, and due diligence before they invest. That work has been especially important for advanced manufacturing, where speed to market matters.
The state’s geography creates different opportunities across regions. Following Hurricane Helene, which caused devastating damage across western North Carolina, we placed additional emphasis on identifying development-ready sites in the western part of the state. Working with the General Assembly, we designated five additional select sites where advanced manufacturing can support long-term economic recovery while taking advantage of the region’s workforce.
How is the broader economy and the ongoing changes it is experiencing impacting North Carolina?
The broader macroeconomic environment presents challenges. Tariff and trade policy have increased manufacturing input costs and created uncertainty for companies with global supply chains. Geopolitical tensions have also contributed to uncertainty.
Despite those headwinds, North Carolina continues to perform well. We have maintained strong GDP growth, and unemployment has remained around 3.7%, well below the national average.
One reason is that our economy is diversified. No single industry determines the state’s overall performance.
We also continue to hear from domestic and international investors seeking places where they can reduce risk. During recent visits to Germany and Switzerland, two important sources of foreign direct investment for North Carolina, conversations centered on how companies could enter or expand in North America while minimizing risk. North Carolina offers that combination through a talented workforce, available industrial sites, strong infrastructure, and a consistently business-friendly environment.
We are a politically diverse state, but leaders at the state and local levels have consistently worked together to support economic development and maintain a welcoming business climate. That has been an important advantage for attracting and retaining investment.
What will be most important for North Carolina to sustain its momentum over the next decade?
Workforce development remains our highest priority because every company is focused on speed to market, and ready talent is often the biggest factor.
While North Carolina continues to attract new residents, we also need to prepare our existing workforce for the future. One important initiative is the AI Leadership Council, which I co-chair with the state’s chief information officer. The council is developing a statewide roadmap focused on AI readiness, from foundational skills to rapid upskilling for specific occupations.
Our goal is not to approach artificial intelligence from a place of fear. We see it as an opportunity. We want our workforce to be prepared to succeed in an AI-mediated economy while minimizing the risk of broad job displacement.
Community development is equally important. Investors evaluate not only business conditions but also whether communities offer the healthcare, housing, childcare, and amenities needed to attract employees and executives.
While places like Raleigh-Durham continue to thrive, North Carolina also has the second-largest rural population in the country after Texas. Investing in rural communities creates opportunities for residents while giving businesses more choices about where to locate based on their operational needs.
What sectors are seeing the strongest growth in North Carolina, particularly in the Raleigh-Durham market?
Research Triangle Park remains one of North America’s premier innovation hubs, and growth continues well beyond the park itself.
Life sciences and the bioeconomy continue to generate major investments. Over the past year, Novartis announced 700 new jobs in Durham, AbbVie announced its first North Carolina project with a $1.4 billion investment and another 700 jobs, and Genentech selected southern Wake County for its first East Coast manufacturing facility, bringing 400 jobs and a $700 million investment. We continue to see strong momentum because North Carolina offers both the workforce and infrastructure these companies require.
The technology sector is also expanding. BuildOps relocated its headquarters from Los Angeles to Raleigh, Ralliant Corporation also moved its headquarters here, and locally grown technology companies continue to perform well. Innovation remains one of the state’s strongest economic multipliers.
Another emerging opportunity is defense technology. As defense procurement becomes increasingly technology-driven, North Carolina is well positioned because it combines a strong innovation ecosystem with proximity to major military installations, including Fort Bragg and Camp Lejeune.
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