N.C. Gen. Stat. § 143B-437.05: Regional Development.

The Department of Commerce shall review the Economic Development Board's annual report on economic development to evaluate the progress of development in each of the economic regions defined by the Board in its Comprehensive Strategic Economic Development Plan. In its recruitment and development work, the Department shall strive for balance and equality among the economic regions and shall use its best efforts to locate new industries in the less developed areas of the State. (1996, 2nd Ex. Sess., c. 13, s. 3.10; 1997-456, s. 27.)