WRAL TechWire conducted an interview, by email, with Dr. Henry McKoy is the Director of Entrepreneurship and a member of the faculty in the North Carolina Central University School of Business, and a self-described academic economist with a specialty in economic development. McKoy is also a former official with the North Carolina Department of Commerce, serving as the Assistant Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce for Governor Beverly Perdue. The interview has been lightly edited for clarity.
What do the recent announcements from Apple and Google mean for the Triangle?
The decision of both Apple and Google to locate major hubs and headquarters in the Triangle and North Carolina are huge wins for the region and the state. A huge part of this is psychological. The Triangle has been chasing Silicon Valley, Austin, and Boston for decades, and these recent announcements are a clear indicator to people in the community and those watching from the outside that we are a national and global contender. These companies can locate anywhere, and the decision to locate in our region and state continues to elevate our status as a creative class and innovation hub.