Charlotte’s Rich History and Economic Diversity Make Charlotte One of the Most Desirable Places to Live in America.
Charlotte was originally settled by the Scotch-Irish in the 1740’s, as well as by a strong influence of German colonists who migrated south at about the same time. The Queen City‘s namesake was the German born Queen Charlotte, wife of England’s King George III, and Mecklenburg County was also named for her German birthplace. The Bank of America tower actually has a crown architecturally incorporated in its design in honor of the Queen!
From its modest beginnings as a small village, Charlotte abruptly attained ‘city’ status with America’s first discovery of gold in 1799. It was also the first small step in establishing the city as a financial center. Charlotte quickly became the gold mining capital of the country until the California Gold Rush fifty years later. The center of the trading paths during the Gold Rush, from each direction, meeting at what is now, Trade and Tryon Streets in the heart of Charlotte’s Uptown.
Charlotte become known as a textile center when the cotton industry moved south from New England. By 1903, and was clearly defined as a textile leader. Business activities in the Charlotte area really began to flourish with the arrival of the railroad, giving way to Charlotte becoming a major distribution hub, remaining today, at the center of the largest consolidated rail system in the United States.
The Queen City, in recent years, became officially known as a financial center and in early 2000, was (and still is) the second largest banking center in America! Today, proactive business leaders, our Chamber of Commerce and our Governor have all been diligently working to bring energy business to Charlotte. We’re quickly making headway and feel confident that soon, Charlotte will be known as the energy capital of America!
Recent news with regards to Charlotte’s economic prowess can be found in these articles:
- In 2010, BAE Systems of Britain, with their United States
base is in Arlington, Va., committed to opening a human resources and
finance center in Charlotte, creating 176 new jobs for the area. - In March, plans to expand the energy sector was supported when
Governor Perdue unveiled a major economic investment by Siemens - The Shaw Group and Areva made major changes and
expansions in and around the city. - In September, ABB announced 100 new jobs coming to Huntersville
- Babcock & Wilcox, the energy engineering company based in
Lynchburg, Va., moved its headquarters and added 130 jobs here. - Celgard Announces Expansion in Charlotte and Concord
- Another Fortune 500 Company, SPX announced plans to expand, creating 180 new
jobs in Charlotte NC in the Ballantyne area. - More uplifting Charlotte
economic news came with Toshiba’s announcement: More Energy Jobs Announced by Toshiba - Lake Norman recently became the new headquarters for Lime Energy