The mission of Apex Economic Development is to position Apex for economic opportunity and prosperity through business and industry growth and entrepreneurship.
 

LaunchAPEX
Cohort 8 of LaunchAPEX is halfway through their 10 weeks of business training. We received over 35 applications this year and have 15 businesses participating this cohort. The LaunchAPEX program is designed to assist Apex businesses and entrepreneurs take their business to the next level. Class participants receive business training via a partnership with Wake Tech, networking and mentoring opportunities, as well as access to financial resources. Click here for more information on LaunchAPEX. 

Upcoming Holiday Promotions
Apex Economic Development is hosting two promotional events for Apex small businesses during the holiday season: Small Business Saturday (Nov. 30) and Snowman Stroll on Salem (Dec. 6-15).   
For Small Business Saturday, we encourage local businesses to create in-store specials, contests, discounts and events on Small Business Saturday, all aimed at boosting local excitement for the day. The goal is to bring customers into Apex for a full day of shopping, dining and exploring. 
The Snowman Stroll on Salem is designed to enhance the holiday experience in Downtown Apex. As you explore, collect passport stamps by visiting participating businesses and engaging in a variety of holiday activities. Each stop will feature delightful snowman and winter-themed specials, decorations, and unique offerings.

Apex Love Local Showcase Recap
Over 35 businesses participated in the 2nd annual Apex Love Local Showcase on October 6th and the Summer Sizzle Edition Showcase on August 1st. The Showcases were organized by Apex Economic Development, as a promotional event for Apex small businesses to participate in. 
For both showcases, downtown Apex businesses and non-downtown Apex businesses were asked to collaborate with each other to “showcase” what they have to offer. Downtown businesses physically hosted at least one non-downtown business inside of or right outside of their business. Every business provided a sample, sale and/or demonstration. People were able to shop, sample, stroll and experience Apex businesses all in one location, downtown Apex!

Small Business Town Hall & HUB/SBE Certification Workshop 
NC State House Representative Cervania and the Town of Apex hosted a Small Business Town Hall on August 29th. The event included a panel of small business professionals from US Small Business Administration, Economic Development Partnership of NC, Carolina Small Business Development Fund, Wake Tech, and the Women’s Business Center of NC.  
Apex Economic Development hosted an information workshop in partnership with the NC Office for Historically Underutilized Businesses. The session covered the importance and process of becoming certified as a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) or Small Business Enterprise (SBE).   

Apex Small Business Advisory Group
The Apex Small Business Advisory Group held a meeting on Tuesday, September 17th. The group was informed of upcoming Town events/promotional opportunities and heard from People-First Tourism about creating experiential events for small businesses in Apex. 
Apex Economic Development established this group in an effort to gain increased active involvement by the small business community in the development of promotions, marketing, business initiatives, tourism and more. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 7th, 2025. 

New Tourism Website - www.exploreapexnc.com
We're excited to announce the launch of the brand-new tourism website for Apex! Whether you're a local looking for new adventures or a visitor planning your next trip, the website is your ultimate guide. Explore top attractions, upcoming events, hidden gems, and local favorites—all in one place. Discover the best places to shop, dine, and play, and find tailored itineraries to make the most of your visit. Click here to visit the website.

Apex Ranked #6 Best Small City to Live in America  
Apex was ranked #6 on a list of “Best Small Cities to live in America” by WalletHub. The research compared more than 1,300 small cities with populations between 25,000 and 100,000. The rankings were based on 45 key indicators of livability ranging from housing costs to school-system quality to restaurants per capita. Apex jumped 6 spots from its previous ranking of #12 in 2023.