Raleigh, NC, Mar. 23, 2026 — Wake County leaders are weighing a significant shift in how they recruit businesses and structure economic incentives, with proposed changes that would expand who qualifies for grants, reshape how companies are paid, and open the door to larger, more customized deals.
The proposals, presented Monday to the Board of Commissioners’ Growth, Sustainability and Economic Strength Committee, stop short of final action. But taken together, they point to a clear direction: more flexibility in how the county competes for jobs and investment, and a willingness to rethink long-standing rules that have governed incentives for years.
At the center of the discussion is a recalibration of what the county aims to achieve with its incentives. Under the current system, grants are largely tied to property investment, meaning companies that build or invest heavily in facilities generate the largest payouts. Staff said that the structure no longer aligns with how many modern projects, particularly office and headquarters operations, actually work…