Last week, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein joined business and nonprofit leaders at The Dubois Center at UNC Charlotte Center City for a wide-ranging discussion on the policies and partnerships shaping North Carolina’s economic future.
Opening the program, Stein highlighted key accomplishments from his first year in office, including efforts to close budget gaps and make strategic investments in mental health services. Framing mental health as a core component of public safety, Stein emphasized that supporting individuals in crisis requires a more comprehensive, community-based approach—one that complements law enforcement and strengthens overall system capacity. This perspective aligns closely with priorities advanced by the business community, recognizing that safe, stable communities are foundational to economic growth and workforce participation.
Following Stein’s remarks, Charlotte Regional Business Alliance Board Chair Dave Katz explored several issues central to the CLT Alliance legislative agenda, including workforce development, education, and access to affordable child care. Stein also addressed infrastructure, specifically progress along the Interstate 77 corridor. He acknowledged the importance of continued collaboration with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and local stakeholders, noting that advancing major projects requires both technical coordination and meaningful community engagement.
Economic development remained a central theme throughout the discussion. Stein underscored the state’s shared goal of ensuring North Carolina remains one of the most competitive places to do business in the country. This vision is reinforced through ongoing collaboration between the CLT Alliance and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, as well as a coordinated advocacy strategy that supports business recruitment, retention, and expansion. By aligning state leadership with regional economic development efforts, North Carolina continues to position itself for long-term growth in a rapidly evolving economy.
Stein’s visit also included a major economic development announcement as he joined leaders to celebrate the opening of PSA Airlines’ new corporate headquarters in Charlotte. The regional carrier, a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines, relocated its central office from Dayton, Ohio, earlier this year. Now headquartered just south of Charlotte Douglas International Airport, PSA Airlines employs more than 450 workers and represents a significant investment in the region. Stein called the relocation a powerful signal of North Carolina’s economic momentum, noting that the state’s legacy as “first in flight” continues to evolve into a future defined by innovation and opportunity.
