Dentist Near Research Triangle Park

More Information on Research Triangle Park

The Research Triangle Park in North Carolina certainly must make the list of Top 10 government collaborations when it comes to judging the final outcome versus the original goal and intent. Over 50 years later the success is very quantifiable and continues to grow and build. Let’s first look at the objectives in its creation.

From the Beginning

In 1959 local and state governments were anxious to stop the “brain drain” from the three major universities in the area. The college graduates from Duke in Durham, from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill and those graduates from North Carolina State in Raleigh were all leaving the market upon receiving their diploma. They were all seeking employment elsewhere and many were finding jobs out of state. So the governing bodies collaborated on an aggressive plan to stop that exodus. The physical park was created in 1959 and covered 7,000 acres. The location is eight miles southeast of Durham and 17 miles northwest of Raleigh. The founding committee was composed of government, university and business leaders that were openly pursuing research, innovation and economic development. A non-profit organization has managed the area since it was conceived.

Development

The park was slow in its start. In 1965 IBM finally announced it would locate a research facility in the park. That same year the National Environmental Health Science Center built a $70 million dollar extension of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare. The park is not an incorporated city and draws all utilities from the neighboring cities. The numbers now quantify the success.

By the Numbers

Today you will find over 200 companies located in the park. They employ over 50,000 workers and then you can add another 10,000 contractors. The annual salaries that are generated in the Park exceed $2.7 billion. This equates to an average of $56,000 per employee. To continue to quantify the successful achievements that the Park has generated there are many inventions and advancements that have impacted the UPC, Universal Product Code, 3D ultrasound imaging and even Astroturf to name but a few. Just lately Taxol was discovered in the Park, which is a new cancer fighting drug. The goal of research, innovation and economic development has indeed been achieved.

Amenities

Not only do you have two major cities next door; Raleigh, with 460,000 residents and the state capital, but you also have Durham with 260,000 residents to entertain you and your family on a Friday and Saturday evening and you are also sitting in the Piedmont. The immediate area is peppered with recreational opportunities as well as historical venues. Or you may choose to pack your bags and drive east two hours to the Atlantic coast and enjoy the sun washed beaches or aquatic entertainment. The following weekend pack up again and drive two hours west to explore the quiet forests of the Appalachian Mountains and the Great Smokey Mountains. From exciting urban adventures to the great outdoors the Research Triangle Park has everything within your grasp.