Fortune Magazine this week issued its list of best metro areas in which to launch a business.  Durham is 15th on that list for midsized areas. 

Here is what Fortune said: 

To hear local entrepreneurs tell it, Durham is putting the D in diversity. Once known for tobacco and textiles, today it’s part of The Research Triangle, the world’s largest research and development center. The city is home to an array of high-tech, medical and financial services companies, as well as federal agencies and educational institutions.

The locals are a highly educated bunch: Duke University, North Carolina Central University and Durham Technical Community College employ and train area residents. Business support organizations like the Institute for Minority Economic Development and the Women’s Business Center offer the resources entrepreneurs need to thrive.

The city’s strong sense of community helps its assorted enterprises and individuals come together. It’s the kind of place where businesses embrace struggling local schools by donating supplies, volunteering classroom speakers and hosting field trips.

Living, business and construction costs remain low compared to national averages. Another local perk: Durham offers plenty of ways to unwind after a hard day’s work, from kayaking and hiking to performance art and gallery tours.

I’d love to hear from people who have started in Durham and in other places.  What has the Bull City experience been like?

Tags: business, Duke Univrsity, Durham North Carolina, Durham Technical Community Collge, entrepreneur, entrepreneurs, entreprenuer, formation, Fortune Magazine, Institution for Minority Econocmic Development, medical, North Carolina Central University, Research Triangle Park, start-ups, Women's Business Center

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 7:51 am and is filed under Durham, small business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.