Target Markets
Mercatus targets markets which have demonstrated resilience through multiple economic cycles and are positioned to outpace the national average growth rate over the next 5-15 years.
Florida
Tampa
Tampa is among the strongest markets in the southeastern United States, unique for its pairing of a thriving and diverse economy, beautiful coastal setting, unique history, and rich culture. Tampa boasts some of the nation’s strongest population and employment growth, as its business-friendly environment and high quality of life have begun to attract both corporate and individual relocations from major markets like New York, Washington DC, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Utah
Salt Lake City
Over the past decade, Utah has consistently ranked among the strongest economies in the nation, driven in large part by the meteoric rise of the region’s tech sector. Job and income growth in the state have dramatically outpaced the nation, while its unemployment and poverty rates consistently rank among the lowest in the U.S. “Silicon Slopes,” the area’s growing tech-employment scene, is advancing the market and showing the world that Utah is a great place to do business.
Idaho
Boise
Due to its thriving start-up scene, Inc. Magazine recently ranked Boise the 5th best city in the nation for starting a business. It’s moderate climate, proximity to natural attractions, and relative affordability also provide a quality of life that few cities in America can rival.
Tennessee
Nashville
Nashville has always been a draw to young people desiring to experience its unique culture and legendary music scene. More recently, Nashville has become a bastion for headline job growth, with major corporate office announcements from Alliance Bernstein, Amazon, and Oracle heralding the arrival of more than 20,000 new, high paying jobs in the technology and financial services sectors. The future of the Nashville economy and real estate market look incredibly bright.
North Carolina
Raleigh
With its world-class research facilities, a highly educated workforce, increasingly walkable urban centers, and proximity to major universities, Raleigh ranks among the top markets in the country for businesses and residents alike. With recent corporate campus announcements from Apple, Google, and many others, Raleigh is primed to become a major US job center.
Charlotte
A quintessential 18-hour city, Charlotte has become a destination for young professionals and middle-class families alike. It is a banking powerhouse, and home to nine Fortune 500 headquarters, including Nucor, Duke Energy, and Honeywell. The growth of the financial services, fin-tech, and technology sectors in Charlotte are positioning the market to outperform over the coming decades.