Research Triangle Park

Starting in 1956 as a simple idea to create a research park between the Triangle’s major universities, the Research Triangle Committee and an investor purchased 3,559 acres southeast of Durham. From just 21 companies in 1969, Research Triangle Park (RTP) has grown to span over 7,000 acres, comprised of more than 160 companies employing approximately 39,000 full-time professionals. The high concentration of leading technology, pharmaceutical, biotech, financial, and healthcare industries in Research Triangle Park inspire many people to call it the Silicon Valley of the Southeast.

Recognized for the 5th time in six years in 2007 as the "Top Business Climate" by Site Selection Magazine (siteselection.com) , Research Triangle Park continues to attract businesses from across the globe . Recent investors in RTP include Fidelity, which chose RTP as the location for a new, $100-million campus. The company will add more than 2,000 jobs to the area. Fidelity representatives explained that their expansion to RTP was due, in part, to the Triangle’s strong capacity to "provide us access to a highly educated talent pool. We very carefully looked at what’s available and the stream of people getting educated and the number of degrees (awarded) in what we want." Fidelity Senior Vice President and North Carolina Director Don Haile stated. The Triangle’s "incomparable quality of life" was another key factor in Fidelity’s decision, Haile continued. Governor, Mike Easley states that "This project…builds North Carolina’s solid reputation as a financial leader, not only in the country, but in the world."