Welcome to North Carolina's Research Triangle Region
Research Triangle Regional Partnership (RTRP) is an American economic development organization that markets the Triangle Region known worldwide as the home of the “Research Triangle Park,” the largest research park in the United States.
Strategically positioned halfway between Miami and New York, the Research Triangle Region conveniently connects businesses and residents to the U.S. market.
The Region at a Glance
What Visitors Think About The Triangle Region
Acting as proud ambassadors, RTRP introduces companies and organizations to an area that offers incredible access to talent through 17 colleges and universities, a competitive cost of living, a strong and diverse economic climate, a supportive infrastructure, and quality of life we feel is second to none.
Our primary goal is to market the region to external audiences on why the Research Triangle Region is the best place to live and do business. Don’t just take it from us – hear what other’s have to say about the Triangle Region.
Click to download regional report
Why Is It Called The 'Research Triangle'?
The Research Triangle gets its name from Research Triangle Park and three Tier 1 research universities—Duke University, North Carolina State University and University of North Carolina Chapel Hill—located only minutes apart.
A Diverse Business Ecosystem
The Triangle Region has a diverse business ecosystem with over 7,000 companies across multiple industries including Agtech, Cleantech, Life Sciences, Advantaged Manufacturing and Technology.
Regional Comparisons
Research Triangle Park
The Research Triangle is known globally as the home of the Research Triangle Park (RTP), the largest research park in North America located at the center of the region. Home to companies such as IBM, Syngenta, BASF, and Cisco, the park is a major contributor to the area’s economic growth, attracts talent from all over the world and helps create partnerships that fuel innovation.
- 50,000 employees
- 7,000 acres
- 250+ companies
- $300 million invested in research and development annually
Educated Workforce
With 10 colleges and universities and 7 community colleges the Triangle Region is well-equipped to meet the needs of international businesses in diverse industries.
- 176,000 students enrolled in higher education
- 42,000 annually graduates
- 47% of the region has a bachelors degree or higher
- 4th highest concentration of PhDs in the country
- 3,987 doctorate degrees awarded in 2017
Come And Go With Ease
Centrally located between New York and Miami, the Research Triangle Region is easily accessible by Raleigh-Durham International Airport, six regional airports, two ports, and multiple interstates that span from Florida to New York and North Carolina to California.
Raleigh-Durham International Airport
- 400+ daily flights
- 65+ nonstop destinations
- 7 international flights
- Cancun, London, Montego Bay, Paris, Punta Cana, Toronto and Montreal
Six Regional Airports
- Triangle North Executive Airport (Franklin County)
- Henderson Oxford Airport (Granville County)
- Johnston Regional Airport (Johnston County)
- Raleigh Executive Jetport (Lee County)
- Person County Airport (Person County)
- Rocky Mount- Wilson Regional Airport (Wilson County)
Three Major Interstate Highways
I95, I85 and I40 run across the region.
Rail
Two of the nation’s largest rail operators, CSX and Norfolk Southern, provide rail freight service in the region.
Ports
The Port of Wilmington and the Port of Morehead City, are less than a three-hour drive from the region. Additionally, North Carolina sits in between Norfolk International Terminal in Virginia and the Port of Charleston in South Carolina.
