Welcome to Charlotte

1
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
  valuein 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 RelocatingWorldwide
  ERC Primacy Relocation
• 1 Best City for Black Familieswww.bet.com
• Charlottes ranked 6th (out of 53) of the
  Smartest Citieswww.bizjournals.com

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
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
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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, Lowes Motor Speedway
• 3 hours from the beach and 2 hours from the
  mountains

13
Envision Charlotte!

• NASCAR Hall of Fame

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Envision Charlotte!

• U.S. National White Water Center

15
Charlottes Economy
2007

• Healthcare
• Plastics and Rubber Manufacturing
• Automotive and Motor Sports
• Finance, Insurance and Professional Services
• Logistics
• Wholesale Trade
• Tourism

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Charlottes Economy cont.
Emerging Industry

• Defense
• Biotechnology Pharmaceutical
• Optoelectronics
• Precision Metrology

17
Future Planning

• Kannapolis Bio-Tech Research Center

18
Population Changes
19
Major Headquarters
Note Charlotte will move ahead of Chicago with
only New York, Houston, Atlanta and Dallas having
more Fortune 500 headquarters.
20
Schools

• CMS Best Rated in the Country

21
What Will Charlotte Look Like in 2027?