I am blessed to live and work in the Research Triangle region of North Carolina. 

We are not a particularly large region, compared to say Washington, San Francisco, Chicago, or New York. Now, we are fast-growing, with more than 1.5 million people here now, and literally dozens more arriving daily. But few if any people call us a large metro.

As proud as I am of our region, I can readily admit that we do not have stunning natural or architectural beauty that people typically travel across the country to see. Don't get me wrong - we have trees and lots of them, along with a few nearby lakes and hills. Plus our city skylines look nice. But Puget Sound, the Rocky Mountains, the seashore, or even a city with a downtown river we are not.

And, we don't have a wickerwork of freeways with four level interchanges, although we do have I-40. Nor do we have a regionwide rail system, just a few Amtrak stations with 3-5 trains per day.  Now we do have a great airport with multiple international flights, but we haven't been an airline hub for more than two decades and may never be again.

We also don't have an NFL, NBA, or MLB team. Or, a nearby amusement park. Although Pullen Park in Raleigh does have a nice miniature train ride.

So, what do we have? We have everything we need, and perhaps everything that you need.

We have three tier 1 research universities in closer proximity than anywhere else in the country.

We have a diverse economy that thrives on a strong, pro-business climate and the presence of the universities, the Research Triangle Park, the state capital, a number of start-up incubators, powered by all of the smart talent that is here and that comes here every day.

We have four seasons, in just the right amounts of each. It snowed 7 inches this week, but it will be gone by this weekend as the temperature goes into the 60s.

We have low traffic congestion, a growing freeway system, the most advanced turnpike in America, steadily increasing transit options, and literally a billion dollar local commitment to invest in our mobility future over the next ten years. In fact, we sometimes call ourselves America's Most Forward-Moving Region to speak to our mobility strengths.

Finally, we have a welcoming culture throughout our region of cities, small towns, and neighborhoods of people that are glad to be here, and glad that you are visiting or joining us.