Charlotte, NC, February 17, 2026
Charlotte, NC, showcases its strong economic pulse as Sealed Air Corporation announces a quarterly cash dividend. This declaration reflects the region’s corporate stability and investor confidence, contributing to ongoing local growth. The city’s commitment to fostering entrepreneurial innovation drives impressive job creation and capital investment, making Charlotte an attractive destination for both businesses and individuals.
Charlotte, NC
Charlotte’s Economic Pulse Strong as Major Local Company Declares Dividend
Charlotte’s economy continues to demonstrate remarkable strength, fueled by the ingenuity of its entrepreneurs and the robust performance of its established businesses. The recent declaration of a quarterly cash dividend by a significant Charlotte-headquartered company underscores a broader trend of corporate stability and investor confidence in the region’s dynamic market. This stability provides a solid foundation, empowering both large corporations and local investments to thrive and contribute to the city’s ongoing economic growth.
The Queen City has consistently proven itself as a hub of economic activity, attracting new enterprises and fostering an environment where existing ones can flourish. This climate, characterized by a commitment to fostering entrepreneurial innovation and a recognition of small-business resilience, allows the private sector to lead the charge in job creation and economic development. The vitality seen in the market reflects the determined spirit of North Carolina entrepreneurs and the benefits of a robust, supportive business ecosystem.
Charlotte’s Corporate Anchor: Sealed Air’s Local Presence
A prominent example of Charlotte’s corporate landscape is Sealed Air Corporation, a leading packaging company with its global headquarters firmly established in Charlotte, North Carolina. Located at 2415 Cascade Pointe Boulevard, the company strategically relocated its headquarters to the city in 2014. Founded in 1957, Sealed Air has grown significantly, employing over 17,000 professionals worldwide. In 2024, the company reported revenues exceeding $5.4 billion.
The Charlotte headquarters functions as a central operational hub, housing critical departments such as engineering, product development, sales, and executive leadership. This facility is designed to promote innovation and collaboration, reflecting the company’s forward-thinking approach. Sealed Air’s substantial presence in Charlotte contributes significantly to the local economy, offering numerous job opportunities across various fields, including research and development, customer service, and management. The company’s commitment to the region was further highlighted by the agreement in November 2025 for its acquisition by private equity firm Clayton, Dubilier & Rice for a total enterprise value of $10.3 billion.
Understanding Corporate Dividends and Economic Signals
On the national level, corporate payout policies, encompassing both dividends and share buybacks, play a crucial role in shaping a firm’s financial decisions and, by extension, the broader economy. When a company like Sealed Air declares a cash dividend, such as the 20-cent quarterly dividend payable this March, it signifies a distribution of a portion of its earnings to its shareholders. This action can serve as a positive signal to investors, indicating the company’s financial health and its future prospects.
Companies that are profitable have the option to either distribute their earnings to shareholders or reinvest them back into the business. The decision to pay a dividend reflects a corporation’s strategy regarding profit distribution versus retaining capital for internal growth. Healthy corporate payouts can reflect confidence in the economic outlook, potentially stimulating further investment and enhancing shareholder value.
Charlotte’s Thriving Economic Landscape: A Magnet for Growth
Charlotte’s economic landscape has shown remarkable resilience and growth, making it an attractive destination for businesses and individuals alike. In March 2025, the city experienced rapid population expansion, corporate relocations, and substantial real estate developments. The Charlotte metro area’s population reached 2.88 million by July 2024. North Carolina has consistently ranked as the second most migrated-to state in the United States, further reinforcing Charlotte’s status as an economic powerhouse.
The city achieved its most successful year for business recruitment in over a decade in 2025. This period saw 15 project announcements, generating over 3,880 new jobs and attracting more than $424 million in capital investment. Notably, Charlotte added the second-most jobs of any metro area nationwide in 2025, with 37,600 new positions created, a testament to its dynamic job market. This impressive job growth places Charlotte among the top cities for tech job gains and highlights its position as one of the fastest-growing large cities in the country.
Fueling the Future: Charlotte’s Entrepreneurial Spirit
Charlotte’s vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to strengthen, driven by innovation and a proactive business community. Over the past decade, significant progress has been made in cultivating a thriving startup environment. According to the 2024 Charlotte Startup Ecosystem Report (CSER24), Charlotte-based businesses saw a 46% increase in Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer awards from 2019 to 2023. This surge in federal funding reflects the growing innovative capacity of North Carolina entrepreneurs.
The city’s strong business climate and high quality of life are key factors in retaining talent, with 90% of surveyed founders expressing their intent to remain in Charlotte. From 2019 to 2023, the region attracted $1.5 billion across 261 Venture Capital (VC) deals, indicating a growing appetite for local investments in promising new ventures. Charlotte now hosts 482 startups, including 2 unicorns, with approximately 55 startups per 100,000 residents in 2025. The city’s established role as a major financial center also provides a unique advantage for the development of fintech startups. In 2024, Charlotte was recognized among the top 10 of the Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities.
Cultivating Success: Support for Small Businesses
Recognizing the crucial role of small businesses in economic growth, the City of Charlotte and its partners are actively engaged in supporting local enterprises. The Charlotte Small Business Ecosystem Assessment, completed in November, provided valuable insights into the local business landscape. The assessment, which involved input from 860 small business survey respondents and numerous focus groups, revealed that 90% of businesses accessing support services found them at least “somewhat useful.”
Despite these successes, the assessment also identified areas for improvement, particularly regarding access to capital, with over half of respondents (54%) reporting difficulties in identifying appropriate funding sources. Efforts are underway to strengthen connections with major employers and anchor institutions and to expand venture capital availability to remain competitive. The City of Charlotte offers a range of programs and resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs, including various grants, technical assistance, and networking opportunities, all designed to foster a supportive environment for growth and resilience. Innovative public-private funds, such as the Charlotte Community Capital Fund, play a vital role in assisting Charlotte small businesses with gaining access to essential capital. These local investments and community partnerships are integral to the city’s sustained economic vitality.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining Charlotte’s Economic Momentum
Charlotte’s economic narrative is one of impressive growth, strategic investment, and a flourishing entrepreneurial spirit. From the stability demonstrated by major corporations like Sealed Air to the dynamism of its burgeoning startup scene, the city is building a diversified and resilient economy. The continued focus on supporting local businesses, fostering innovation, and creating an environment conducive to private sector success will ensure Charlotte’s enduring prosperity. Residents and businesses are encouraged to stay engaged and continue to support the Charlotte NC business community, contributing to a vibrant and thriving future for all.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- What is Sealed Air’s dividend payment?
- Sealed Air will pay a 20-cent quarterly dividend this March.
- Where is Sealed Air’s headquarters located?
- Sealed Air’s global headquarters is located in Charlotte, North Carolina, at 2415 Cascade Pointe Boulevard.
- How many employees does Sealed Air have globally?
- Sealed Air employs over 17,000 professionals worldwide.
- What was Charlotte’s job growth in 2025?
- The Charlotte region added 37,600 jobs in 2025, which was the second-most of any metro area in the country.
- How many startups are in Charlotte, NC?
- Charlotte is home to 482 startups.
- Did Charlotte receive national recognition for its economic performance?
- Yes, Charlotte jumped into the top 10 of the Milken Institute’s Best-Performing Cities in 2024.
Key Economic Features: Charlotte, NC
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Sealed Air Headquarters Location | Charlotte, North Carolina |
| Sealed Air 2024 Revenue | Over $5.4 billion |
| Sealed Air Global Employees | Over 17,000 |
| Charlotte Metro Area Population (July 2024) | 2.88 million |
| Charlotte Job Growth (2025) | 37,600 new jobs (second-most nationwide) |
| Charlotte Business Recruitment (2025) | 15 project announcements, >3,880 new jobs, >$424 million capital investment |
| Charlotte Startup Count (2025) | 482 startups, 2 unicorns |
| Venture Capital Raised (2019-2023) | $1.5 billion across 261 deals |
| Milken Institute Ranking (2024) | Top 10 Best-Performing Cities |
| Charlotte-based Businesses Federal Funding Increase (2019-2023) | 46% increase in Small Business Innovation Research and Technology Transfer awards |
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Author: HERE Charlotte
The CHARLOTTE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERECharlotte.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Charlotte, Mecklenburg County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Lovin' Life Music Festival, Charlotte Pride festival, and major sporting tournaments at Bank of America Stadium. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and Foundation for the Carolinas, plus leading businesses in finance and entertainment that power the local economy such as Bank of America and NASCAR. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAsheville.com, HEREGreensboro.com, HERERaleigh.com, and HEREOBX.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into North Carolina's dynamic landscape.
