YEAR END NEW AND EXPANDED NUMBERS DEMONSTRATE CHARLOTTE'S ROBUST ECONOMY

The year 2004 ended positively for Charlotte’s economy, as a total of 3,000 jobs were created in the fourth quarter by 210 firms, creating nearly half-a-billion dollars in investment for the county.

Of these new jobs, over 60% were in the retail, financial services and manufacturing sectors. Firms invested almost $0.5 billion in 4.9 million square feet in new facilities. During fourth quarter, 14 manufacturing firms were announced as either new or expanding.

At year’s end, 998 firms created nearly 12,000 jobs in 2004, occupied or built about 20 million square feet and invested over $1 billion.

New buildings constructed in the area and the need for employees to fill the space demonstrates the economy’s potential. Square footage was at a record high totaling 19.8 million.

Major announcements in 2004 included several headquarter companies choosing Charlotte as their new home, the most recent being The Contractor Yard, as well as new manufacturing operations for Blue Bell ice cream, and this quarter’s arrival of a Dunkin’ Donuts food-processing facility.

Year End Summary of New & Expanded Business

Year	# Firms	Employment	Square Feet (Millions)	Investment (Millions)
2004	998	11,761	19.8	$1,114.1
2003	1,211	16,171	12.1	$1,570.7
2002	983	12,025	15.1	$2,061.6
2001	897	9,548	15.7	$1,262.0
2000	1,126	19,758	14.5	$1,365.1

Copies of this quarterly report are available for $10 per copy or by subscription annually ($35; $25 Chamber members). For more information or to obtain a copy, call (704) 378-1303.

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Charlotte Chamber of Commerce
330 S. Tryon St., PO Box 32785
Charlotte, NC 28232
(704) 378-1300