THE TRIANGLE TOP 15-FOR THE NEXT 15 YEARS (2005-2020)

(As Viewed by Business Leader Magazine)

#1. Changes in transportation. The completion of the outer loops, a toll road and the regional light rail system keep pace with continued population growth and spur new commercial and residential development.

#2. Downtowns grow and prosper. The redevelopment of downtown Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill leads to increased services, business and entertainment as it becomes fashionable to live in the city center.

#3. Continued expansion of RDU. Airport becomes a hub for a major airline and has direct flights to the West Coast, France, Germany, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

#4. Increasing importance of Biotechnology. The Triangle surpasses San Jose and Boston as the nation’s top location for biotech investment and job creation. Top research companies are attracted to the area.

#5. Grid Computing. MCNC develops the NC Biogrid into a world center for grid computing.

#6. Technology Transfer. UNC Chapel and NC State become the two top universities in the United States in technology transfer.

#7. Population growth. Employment in the RTP tops 100,000, college enrollment surpasses 150,000 and the Triangle zooms by the Charlotte metro area in population.

#8. New employment center. Corporate Park in Treyburn with Merck as anchor adds dozens of new companies and over 10,000 jobs.

#9. Community Colleges. The community college system teams up with business to become the major trainer for technology jobs.

#10. Headquarter City. The growing importance of biotechnology, the technology transfer coming out of the universities, the training abilities of the community college system is impetus for major corporations to move their headquarters to the Triangle.

#11. Open space. As development increases, more emphasis will be placed on protecting open space. Urban park system becomes best on East Coast. Greenways and parks, all networked together by biking and hiking trails, become major draw for the ‘creative class.’

#12. Unwired. The Triangle, the nation’s leader in connectivity, leads the impetus of the ‘unplugged’ movement. Downtowns and parks provide places for people who desire human contact and interaction.

#13. Regional government. Regional problems solved through regional cooperation leads to a regional planning agency. Certain city and county powers are transferred to the regional authority. The county convention and visitors bureaus combine and the chambers of commerce merge.

#14. ¿Habla Español? Second generation Hispanics become a major force in the business community. Well educated, with a strong work ethic and strong families they are bilingual and own and operate thriving businesses. Many hold political office.

#15. Sports and entertainment.
1.The Hurricanes win the Stanley Cup.
2. Major League Baseball moves the Washington Senators (now the Montreal Expos) to the Triangle and renames them the Durham Bulls.
3. The Wolfpack wins the National Championship in college football’s first national playoff series. Game takes place during Spring break.
4. UNC women’s soccer team under Anson Dorrance wins 50th National Championship. Dorrance retires with 1576 wins and 23 losses.

Duke head basketball coach, Mike Krzyzewski, leads the Blue Devils to his 4th, 5th, and 6th National Championships. World Basketball Association powerhouse Lithuania offers him one billion dollars to become their head coach and Prime Minister. At dramatic Baltic seaside press conference announces he will stay at Duke.

Source: Business Leader