Energized by the state’s three major research universities — Duke University, N.C. State University and UNC Chapel Hill — this fast-growing region combines urban amenities with recreational pursuits. The acclaimed Durham Performing Arts Center celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2018. Moore County is home to some of the world’s legendary golf courses, including Pinehurst No. 2, which has hosted three U.S. Opens. The World of Bluegrass, one of the region’s many annual festivals, attracted a record crowd to downtown Raleigh in 2017.

ATTRACTIONS

• North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh
• PNC Arena, home of the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team, Raleigh
• State Farmers Market, Raleigh
• North Carolina Museum of Art, Raleigh
• Durham Performing Arts Center
• Morehead Planetarium and Science Center, Chapel Hill

EVENTS

• Moogfest, Durham, May
• World of Bluegrass, Raleigh, September
• Hopscotch Music Festival, Raleigh, September
• North Carolina State Fair, Raleigh, October

COUNTIES

Chatham, Durham, Edgecombe, Franklin, Granville, Harnett, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Nash, Orange, Person, Vance, Wake, Warren and Wilson

INDUSTRIES

• Biotechnology and pharmaceuticals
• Information technology
• Clean technology
• Higher Education
• State Government