Gretchen Coley, founder and team leader of The Coley Group, has been appointed by the North Carolina House Speaker to the Board of Directors of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC). This appointment positions Gretchen to contribute her extensive business acumen and community development expertise to the state’s premier economic development organization.

About EDPNC

The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina serves as the state’s primary public-private partnership for economic development and statewide marketing. Operating under contract with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, EDPNC advances the state’s economic prosperity through five strategic pillars:

• Business Recruitment – Attracting new employers aligned with North Carolina’s workforce capabilities
• Existing Industry Support – Facilitating expansion and retention of current employers
• Tourism Marketing – Promoting the state as a premier visitor destination
• International Trade – Connecting North Carolina exporters with global markets
• Small Business Development – Providing strategic counseling and resources for entrepreneurs

Board Responsibilities and Impact

The EDPNC Board of Directors fulfills critical governance functions, including:

• Advising on statewide economic and community development strategy
• Recommending economic development policy to the Governor and General Assembly
• Reviewing and prioritizing funding allocations
• Ensuring coordination across state agencies and strategic partners

These responsibilities directly influence economic development priorities, program evolution, and community outcomes across all 100 North Carolina counties.

Qualifications and Leadership

With over 25 years of real estate experience and leadership of the #1 Compass team in the Triangle for three consecutive years, Gretchen brings proven expertise in market analysis, strategic growth, and community engagement. Her team has facilitated over $1.7 billion in total sales and built a reputation for connecting communities with opportunities.

Gretchen’s professional strengths align directly with EDPNC’s mission.

Strategic Focus Areas

Gretchen’s appointment comes at a pivotal time for North Carolina’s economic development landscape. Key focus areas include:

Workforce and Business Development: Supporting high-quality job creation through strategic recruitment and existing industry expansion, with emphasis on competitive site development and workforce alignment.

Tourism and Brand Development: Leveraging EDPNC’s tourism marketing function to increase visitor spending and establish long-term economic relationships with potential investors and residents.

Entrepreneurial Support: Strengthening EDPNC’s small business counseling and international trade programs to help local companies scale and access global markets.

Why North Carolina is Leading the Nation

This summer, CNBC named North Carolina the #1 state in America for business, marking the third time in four years it has taken the top slot.

The ranking reflects strong performance across ten key categories of business competitiveness, including economy, workforce, infrastructure, business friendliness, cost of doing business, quality of life, education, technology & innovation, access to capital, and cost of living.

North Carolina’s Competitive Position

North Carolina maintains significant competitive advantages in economic development, including world-class research universities, industry-responsive workforce training programs, strategic logistics infrastructure, and a demonstrated commitment to innovation.

The state shows particular strength in high-growth sectors, including life sciences, advanced manufacturing, technology, and agricultural innovation.

Community and Economic Impact

“Economic development success is measured not only in jobs created but in career pathways established, wage growth achieved, and community infrastructure strengthened,” said Coley. “I look forward to contributing to strategies that deliver meaningful outcomes for families, businesses, and communities across North Carolina.”