Economic Development
What We Do
Durham County’s Economic Development Department focuses on three priorities:
- Expanding workforce development programming to connect Durham residents to entry-level career pathways.
- Supporting small businesses through connections to funding, technical assistance, and resources.
- Recruiting and retaining companies that share Durham County’s strategic priorities and offer new jobs that include well-paying, entry-level career pathways.
Economic Development News
Durham Has It All
NC Biotechnology Center
North Carolina is home to over 700 bioscience companies and more than 2000 service provider companies. The NC Biotech Center connects researchers to companies and funders to entrepreneurs, actuating movements in life science that are changing the world.
Museum of Life and Science
Experience more than 84-acres of interactive learning opportunities in the heart of Durham. Less than five miles from downtown Durham, the center is home to rescued black bears, lemurs, and endangered red wolves, to name a few.
Little River Regional Park
This 376 acre regional park located on Guess Road along the Durham/Orange county line offers 7 miles of hiking trails, 7 miles of biking trails, a birding trail, picnic shelters, playground, open field, and group campground.
Duke University
Since its founding in 1924, Duke University has grown into one of the top-ranked universities in the world, a premier healthcare system, an athletic powerhouse, and the region’s largest employer. Duke features leading research and graduate programs in all disciplines, and also has programs and locations abroad.
Durham Main Library
The Main Library's new design reflects the spirit of our vibrant, diverse community. Large expanses of glass provide natural light and connect the indoors to the outdoors. The new building includes a Comprehensive Literacy and Technology Center and Extensive program and collaboration areas for library and community use.
Hollow Rock Nature Park
The 75 acre Hollow Rock Nature Park, part of the larger New Hope Creek Preserve, opened in 2016. This parcel was purchased jointly by Durham County, Orange County, the City of Durham, and the Town of Chapel Hill. The Park includes 1.5 miles of hiking trails, an open play field, and trail connections to Duke Forest.
American Underground
Called the “Startup Capital of the South” by CNBC, American Underground launched in 2010 and is now supporting nearly 300 startups across four locations. One of only 12 Google for Entrepreneur sites in North America.
The Streets at Southpoint
The Streets at Southpoint in Durham is a shopping and dining destination distinguished by award-winning design and a wide selection of retailers. Come discover over 150 shops, dine at distinctive restaurants, enjoy a movie, or relax in their lifestyle area.
American Tobacco Campus (ATC)
Created in 2001, the American Tobacco Company facilities have more than 1.2 million square feet of Class A office space. American Tobacco has received industry awards for Best Mixed-Use Development, Best Renovated Commercial Property, and Best Redevelopment Project.
Durham Bulls Athletic Park
Home of the Triple-A Durham Bulls baseball club, this 10,000-seat athletic park hosts games and events for the entire family. Baseball America named the Bulls the most accomplished Minor League franchises of the 2010s based on wins, titles and overall record. The team was also featured in "Bull Durham" starring Kevin Costner, Tim Robbins, and Susan Sarandon. Don't be a lollygagger -- visit DBAP for a game!
North Carolina Central University
Ranked among the nation’s top 10 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), NCCU is a comprehensive institution offering undergraduate and graduate degrees. The university is supported by two state-of-the-art biotechnology research facilities on campus, and both collaborate with pharmacy and biotech companies from Research Triangle Park.
Durham Technical Community College
Through Durham Tech Promise, tuition for recent high school students can cost up to $1,000 less than other nearby community colleges. Choose from more than 100 degrees, diplomas, and certificates or dozens of non-credit programs, along with volunteer opportunities, clubs, and organizations.
Research Triangle Park
Research Triangle Park (RTP) is the country's largest research park, home to more than 380 companies and 55,000 workers. Major industries and clusters include life sciences, information technology, financial technology, and agricultural technology. Roughly 3/4 of the park's land is within Durham County. On an annual basis, RTP contributes nearly $25 billion in economic value to North Carolina.
Hub RTP
The $1.5 billion, 44-acre development at the intersection of Davis Drive and I-40 includes two million square feet of office, residential, retail and hotel space, as well as 14 acres of green space. With thoughtfully designed, sustainable buildings surrounded by naturally preserved greenspace, the mixed-use community serves as a premier destination to attract and retain top talent.
Treyburn Corporate Park
This 5,300-acre corporate park in unincorporated northern Durham County is home to companies including bioMérieux, Corning, Merck, and Novo Nordisk.
Contact Economic Development
Main Office
201 E. Main Street
Fourth Floor
Durham, NC 27701
Durham County Economic Development
