BY DEBBIE PAGE
During the Town of Troutman’s recent strategic planning retreat, Iredell Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Jenn Bosser provided town and elected officials with an update on the town’s and county’s economic situation.
Troutman and Iredell County are experiencing historic population growth, job, creation, and capital investment, driven heavily by Charlotte’s growth and North Carolina’s national recognition for a vibrant business climate, Bosser explained.
Troutman is at the intersection of great opportunity to capture a significant share of future industrial, commercial, and residential development, according to Bosser. The area has great access to talent, affordability, and quality of life that will appeal to business and industry looking to relocate to the region.
Iredell County is one of North Carolina’s 15 largest counties and has the lowest tax rate of the group, which is a strong cost advantage for residents and employers, she added. The intersection of Interstate 40 and Interstate 77, located in Statesville, makes Iredell a natural hub for logistics, distribution, aviation-related industry, and advanced manufacturing.
The Statesville Regional Airport also offers corporate and industrial access to transportation without the congestion of the large Charlotte airport (one of nation’s top 10 busiest), a major asset for companies that require flexible travel options.
Six of the top 10 fastest growing U.S. counties are located in North Carolina and South Carolina, including two Iredell-adjacent counties, Catawba and Gaston.
All of the data confirms a long-term migration shift to this region, driven by several factors, including a lower cost of living, warm climate, outdoor amenities, pro business environments, and abundant job opportunities, Bosser said.
Troutman has experienced a 16.8% jump in population growth (from 3,698 to 4,447 since 2020). The town has also enjoyed a 57.5% increase in median household income in the last five years ($41,786 to $98,562) as well as 199% increase in tax base from the 2019 to 2025 ($497,049,285 to $1,488,323,616).
Troutman is the site of two of the top 20 major projects in the county, accounting for 525 jobs and $176 million in investment.
Troutman has three industrial opportunities that will provide additional community investment. The 150-acre 77 North Logistics site will feature a 1-million-square-foot, built-to-suit facility for lease, with a 2026 construction date.
North Fork Business Park will offer 500,000 square feet of built-to-suit facilities in varying sizes, for lease or purchase. Site prep and infrastructure work are underway.
The Northside 77 project will offer 698,000 square feet of industrial space in three built-to-suit buildings for lease.
Troutman is also a regional leader in the workforce pipeline development as it partners closely with Iredell-Statesville Schools and the Career and Technology School (CATS) located in the town.
Talent follows companies, and Bosser noted that Troutman is intentionally strengthening both areas. The town is experiencing unprecedented momentum, driven by a strong regional demand, competitive advantages in infrastructure and talent, and a diverse industrial portfolio.
With strategic planning, accelerated site readiness, and continued workforce investment, Troutman is position to remain a top-tier destination for residence, employers, and investors across the Southeast, she said.
IREDELL COUNTY
Iredell County was the fastest growing county in the Charlotte region in 2025, gaining 6,000 new residents, and is the sixth fastest growing county in the state. The county has experienced a 22 percent population increase since 2015, rising to 206,361 residents, with an average age of 41.
The average wage growth for Iredell County increased 35 percent from 2018 to 2024.
The county has scored a number of economic development wins since 2020, including the addition of 104 total projects, 6,600 new jobs, and $3.2 billion in capital investment.
Noting that the Southeast is the fastest-growing region in the country, Bosser said North Carolina ranks fourth among states where people want to move.
In the current county economic development pipeline, the IEDC has received 142 inquiries. The county boasts 58 active projects with a potential for 13,614 new jobs and an estimated $9.5 billion in potential investment, she said.
Fourteen companies have conducted county site visits, with site requests spanning all size categories from small footprints to 500,000 square feet.
Manufacturing leads the project pipeline with 91 active requests. The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina remains the top source of leads (71 projects).
Year-over-year success in Career and Technology Education enrollment, credential completion, Advanced Placement exam pass rates, graduation rates, and adult credentials and degrees also make the Troutman area attractive.
Mitchell Community College also has two locations (Statesville and Mooresville) to provide short-term credentials, employer- driven training, and flexible partnerships to aid economic development.
The school systems are also aligning their K-12 curricula to meet local industry skills needs, including hosting pilot programs that focus on integrating employer desired skills into classrooms.
Iredell-Statesville Schools and the Mooresville Graded School District are two of three N.C. school districts participating in a Futures CoLab “Skills for the Future” pilot program to develop durable and soft skills desired by employers for career success. This project is funded by a $4 million grant and will bring together, parents, community partners, business partners, and student leaders to create a well trained workforce.
Mitchell College has experienced an increase of 15 percent in enrollment. The county has experienced a 1 percent increase in high school graduation and a 3 percent increase (to 55 percent) in residents that have a degree or credential.
The Iredell Ready program also supports educational partners and businesses in increasing the state’s workforce, with a goal that 2 million North Carolinians will have a high-quality credential or a secondary degree by 2030.
CHARLOTTE REGION
Bosser described the Charlotte region as a magnet for growth because of its population and job momentum. This area is one of the fastest growing metros in the United States, with 157 residents moving into the region daily, an estimated total of 57,300 per year.
The region has the largest manufacturing workforce in the Southeast and is the number two U.S. financial center.
Over 34,500 students graduate each year from over 40 colleges and universities in the region, providing excellent talent pipelines.
The 15 county Charlotte region has a 90 percent graduation rate, with 44 percent having an associate degree or higher and 36 percent earning a bachelor’s degree. The population also skews to the young side, with a median age at 38.
Over 1,000 international companies operate in the Charlotte region. The regional population has grown from 2.6 million in 2010 to 3.1 million in 2021 and is projected to reach 4.7 million by 2050. The median income is $62,000 in the 15-county region.
Another bonus for the region is that electricity costs remain 15 percent below national average, an advantage for data centers, AI, and manufacturing sectors.
In 2025, the nearby Charlotte/Concord/Gastonia metro is ranked second nationally for job growth, adding 37,600 new jobs, only falling behind New York City, according to US Department of Labor Statistics.
The Charlotte region also accesses four major interstates, is within four hours of three major ports, and has over 800 miles of freight rail.
EMERGING TRENDS
Emerging high demand sectors include advanced manufacturing, energy and battery manufacturing for the electric vehicle supply chain, life sciences, AI-driven data centers, and logistics and distribution.
Companies’ infrastructure needs are also shifting, with companies requiring three to five megawatts of immediate power and up to 20 or more megawatts within three to four years.
The coordinated availability of water, sewer, and natural gas is also important to continuing attracting high levels of investment.
Companies are also shifting toward building in midsize communities that offer available land, lower costs, a skilled workforce, high-quality of life, and fast site readiness.
BUSINESS PULSE SURVEY
A recent IEDC business pulse survey revealed that most county employers reported stable employment with half planning to hire additional employees in the next three years. More than half of businesses are optimistic about sales growth in the next year but slightly less than half plan to expand in the next three years.
Business leaders praised Iredell County for quality of life, business climate, and public safety (police, fire, EMS).
However, Iredell business owners were concerned about the national and global economy, tariffs, and inflation. Supply chain challenges continue to be the greatest concern for local businesses.
Bosser said some challenges ahead include expediting site readiness and increasing the speed of infrastructure delivery. Companies also look for shovel ready solutions aligned to their aggressive construction and development timelines.