Marshall Highlighted North Carolina Business Growth

Secretary of State Elaine Marshall emphasized state resources for entrepreneurs at a recent trade summit in Charlotte.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Startups

Marshall Highlighted North Carolina Business Growth

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Do you believe local government resources are doing enough to support small business success in your area?

At the North Carolina World Trade Association Summit, Secretary of State Elaine Marshall showcased state-led initiatives to bolster business growth. Efforts included connecting local firms with federal defense contracts and supporting entrepreneurs in rural regions.

Why it matters

Marshall aims to strengthen the state's economy by providing infrastructure for new businesses and expanding access to high-value contract opportunities. These efforts seek to sustain the current pace of new business formation while offering targeted support outside major cities.

North Carolina has seen 143,000 new corporations formed through August 2026, with an average of 800 to 850 new businesses created daily. While the state anticipates exceeding 200,000 new entities this year, historical trends show 50% of small businesses fail within seven years.

The players

Elaine Marshall

She serves as the Secretary of State for North Carolina and is responsible for business registrations and various commercial outreach initiatives.

The details

The Secretary of State's office is utilizing the Rural Rise NC platform to help entrepreneurs locate resources by county, alongside the North Carolina Military Business Center's efforts to guide firms through federal defense bidding. A recent survey of 4,000 business owners found that 54% rely on state government websites for essential information.

The North Carolina World Trade Association Summit took place in Charlotte on September 17 and 18, 2026.
North Carolina has maintained a state partnership with the Republic of Moldova since 1999.
More than 100,000 new businesses were established in the state during the first half of 2026.
Data shows 143,000 new corporations were created in the state through the end of August 2026.

Market Landscape

Marshall's strategy leverages the North Carolina Military Business Center to integrate smaller state firms into the competitive federal defense supply chain. This approach shifts market share toward local enterprises by lowering barriers to entry for large-scale government contracts.

Entrepreneurs can access the Rural Rise NC platform to identify local business support and county-specific resources for their ventures. Businesses looking to scale may benefit from the guidance provided by the North Carolina Military Business Center regarding federal contract bids.

The takeaway

Entrepreneurs should prioritize utilizing available state resources to navigate the high failure rates common in the first seven years of operation. Connecting with established government support networks can provide a critical safety net for growing businesses.