North Carolina Direct Financial Incentives
North Carolina's economic development, finance and tax organizations provide a range of incentive programs to initiate new business and commercial investment.
Q1 2014
Research and Development Tax Credit
Provide tax credits for qualified North Carolina research expenses during a taxable year.
Interactive Digital Media Tax Credit
Provide a tax credit to North Carolina taxpayer that develops interactive digital media (IDM) within the state.
Renewable Energy Tax Credits
Provide a tax credit of 35% of the cost of renewable energy property.
Film incentives
Provide tax credits and sales and use tax discounts to encourage film and television production in North Carolina.
Discretionary Programs:
One North Carolina Fund
Awards grants for job creation and/or retention in conjunction with local government matches.
Job Development Investment Grant
Provides a limited number of cash grants to new and expanding businesses that will provide economic benefits to the state and are competitive with other locations, and need the grant to carry out the project in North Carolina.
SBIR/STTR Small Business Technology Funding
Awards matching funds to firms who have been awarded a SBIR/STTR Phase I award from the federal government.
Other Cost-Saving Programs and Resources:
Foreign Trade Zones
Provide opportunities to defer, reduce and/or eliminate import duties.
Community Development Block Grants and Industrial Development Fund
Provide grants and loans for infrastructure development to eligible local governments.
North Carolina Rural Division
The NC Rural Division of the NC Department of Commerce will administer the N.C. Economic Infrastructure program and Building Reuse and Restorations Grant which provides funding to local governments for infrastructure and building projects.
Recycling Business Assistance Center
Provides grants, tax credits and loans to businesses involved with recycling in North Carolina.
Industrial Revenue Bonds
Provide tax-exempt financing for eligible new or expanded manufacturing facilities, certain solid waste disposal facilities and sewage disposal facilities.
Road Access and Rail Access Programs
Provide funds for the construction of roads and rail access to new or expanded industrial facilities.
North Carolina Biotechnology Center
Provides loans and matches to help leverage larger financial awards for biotechnology companies.
North Carolina State Contact:
North Carolina Department of Commerce
301 N. Wilmington Street
4310 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-4310
(919) 733-4151
Incentive and tax information is provided to Area Development by each state's economic development or commerce agency for information purposes only and is subject to revision at any time by the state government. Please contact the state agency directly for full requirements and offerings.
Recent Project Announcements
Italy-Based Bracco Plans Sanford, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
10/30/2026
Omega Industries Plans Fayetteville, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
10/27/2026
US Conec Plans Hickory, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
10/24/2026
Utili-Serve Expands Conover, North Carolina, Headquarters Operations
10/20/2026
QT Corporation Plans Goldsboro, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
10/19/2026
Corvid Technologies Expands Mooresville, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
10/17/2026
Caterpillar Expands Sanford, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
10/03/2026
Aluma-Form Plans Mocksville, North Carolina, Plastics Manufacturing Operations
09/29/2026
SteelFab Expands Fayetteville, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
09/12/2026
ProVia Plans Mocksville, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
08/30/2026
Great Southern Wood-NC Plans Laurinburg, North Carolina, Lumber Treatment Operations
08/30/2026
Boater’s World Manufacturing Group Plans Chocowinity, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
08/29/2026
Prysmian Expands Catawba County, North Carolina, Production Operations
08/14/2026
STERIS Plans Sanford, North Carolina, Manufacturing Operations
08/07/2026
Skyeton Plans Fayetteville, North Carolina, Production Operations
07/31/2026
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