The city has historically grown toward the southeast and this trend continues especially as new sections of Interstate 485 (the outer belt) are completed.  A banking and financial epicenter, Charlotte’s population growth rate of 2.2 percent per annum, or 31,000 new residents per annum, is higher than the national average. Amid gently rolling foothills, the Southeast Charlotte region offers lifestyle choices close to central business districts, retail amenities, high-income neighborhoods and the opening of Charlotte’s beltway, I-485.   Enhanced by over 1,000 acres of parks and open space with nature trails, recreational fields, fishing ponds and picnic areas that weave around historical buildings and business parks, creating an ideal real location for businesses and families alike.  An eclectic selection of restaurants, ethnic grocery stores and sidewalk cafés offer food from a wide range of cultures and have become a signature feature of Southeast Charlotte.    

Renowned developers Childress Klein and General Growth have just announced the 1.3 million-square-foot Bridges at Mint Hill, an upscale open-air mall and entertainment arena designed attract a large variety of shoppers and entertainment seekers.  The Bridges at Mint Hill are scheduled to open in 2007 at Interstate 485 and Lawyers Road in Charlotte's eastern suburbs. The Interstate 485 outer belt provides a direct link between Interstates 85 and 77 and now serves as a new gateway into the Charlotte Douglas International Airport.   Outdoor recreation in the area includes Reedy Creek Park and Nature Preserve, which features 727 acres of recreational fields, a disc golf course, fishing ponds, picnic areas and 10 miles of nature trails.  With a $10 million dollar runway expansion to be complete by 2010, Monroe Regional Airport has developed as a major transportation hub and stimulus for industrial expansion for East Charlotte.  As Charlotte's growth and prosperity expand eastward, Monroe Regional Airport will serve as an even more important economic engine. 

East Charlotte is home to Lowe’s Motor Speedway, the largest sports facility in the Southeastern US, hosting NASCAR races and high profile events music concerts.  The area’s largest higher-education institution, the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, is located here in the cradle of highways 49 and 29. At 20,000 students and counting, it’s the fastest-growing university in the state system.  Although the 19th largest city in the country, Charlotte has the fifth highest number of Fortune 500 headquarter locations in the country. The only other cities ranked ahead of Charlotte include New York City, Houston, Atlanta and Chicago, respectively. In addition to Wachovia and Bank of America, Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Charlotte include Lowe's Home Improvement Warehouse, Duke Energy, Nucor Corporation, Sonic Automotive, SPX, Family Dollar and Goodrich Corporation.