Greater Charlotte Biz Highlights The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation in May Issue

The May issue of Greater Charlotte Biz focuses on the critical nature of N.C.'s public-private partnerships. CEO of The Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina Chris Chung remarks, “Right now is a pivotal time in North Carolina’s approach to job creation and development, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”

Leveraging cooperation for prosperity is the core of these partnerships, and under Klaus Becker's leadership, he and The N.C. Zeitgeist Foundation already have facilitated and strengthened relationships between Germany and N.C. 

Excerpts from the article:

“In barely less than one year, Klaus Becker has made an extraordinary impact on the greater Charlotte region engaging American and German businesses,” attests Mike Hawley of global law firm K&L Gates’ Charlotte office. “He has been especially successful with his Speaker Series and cultural events injecting German culture into this community.”

“Charlotte is so fortunate to have such a strong and articulate advocate for German businesses to locate their facilities in the Charlotte region,” asserts Gunda Knese, a member of the German community herself and director of business development at GreerWalker LLP, a Charlotte-based accounting and business advisory firm...

“Why do German companies like Charlotte?” prompts Becker. “First, Lufthansa and the airport provide easy access to Germany. Second, so many customers and suppliers are here. Third, the German culture is active here. Fourth, there is a good, hard-working base of employees here. And fifth, the Germans can fit into this community without overtly ‘standing out.’”

Given the training facilities, skilled workforce, leading-edge research and development, sound infrastructure and overall quality of life, Ronnie Bryant of the Charlotte Regional Partnership agrees, “The area continues to be a destination for German businesses looking to establish or expand their global operations and markets.”