First Research, Inc. to Further Expand Headquarters at North Hills

Kane Realty offers larger space to accommodate rapidly growing business

Raleigh, NC – February 21, 2006 – First Research Inc., the leading industry intelligence company, announced today that it has expanded its relationship with Kane Realty Corporation and is moving from its current location in North Hills to a larger space within the same project, tripling its square footage.

“In 2005 First Research expanded its outreach beyond the banking industry to additionally include accounting, insurance, software/IT and professional services such as business process outsourcing, financial services and consulting,” said Bobby Martin, First Research president and co-founder. “First Research offers great growth potential to these markets, and increasing our space now will allow us to effectively support our growing customer base in the future.”

To meet growing customer demand and support its vertical outreach expansion, First Research created various new roles within the company. In 2005 the company increased its employee base by more than 36% including a 66% sales team increase. Additional positions included training, research, marketing and administration.

”First Research was an ‘early adopter’ of the mixed use concept as an office location, and to see their success and growth is especially pleasing for us,” said John Kane, Kane Realty Corporation’s chairman and CEO. “Having First Research in our strong and diverse group of tenants truly underscores the position of North Hills as a Midtown district and a major business destination with offices, dining, shopping, entertainment and residences.”

About First Research
First Research is the leading industry intelligence company that helps sales teams perform faster and smarter, open doors, and close more deals. First Research performs the “heavy lifting” by synthesizing hundreds of sources into an easy to digest format that a sales person can consume very quickly to better understand a prospect’s business issues. First Research updates each Industry Profile quarterly and pushes out email alerts to ensure that content is both timely and top of mind. Customers include leading companies in banking, technology, telecommunications, business process outsourcing, and professional services including Bank of America, Merrill Lynch and Sprint. Used by over 50,000 sales professionals, First Research can benefit any organization that has prospects in multiple industries. First Research is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information, visit www.firstresearch.com.

About Kane Realty Corporation
Focused on the development and management of retail and mixed-use properties of the highest quality, Kane Realty Corporation is dedicated to the goal of creating irresistible places where people will naturally want to gather. Through concern for smart growth and meticulous attention to detail in every aspect of the property from design to management, Kane’s mission is to build places that improve the quality of life of their businesses, their employees, residents and visitors. For more information, please visit www.kanerealtycorp.com.

About North Hills
North Hills has been described as “Raleigh’s Midtown” – a district designed to draw people with its sheer variety of experiences. North Hills tempts visitors with three city blocks where a Renaissance Hotel will join existing offices, restaurants and cafes, entertainment, condominiums, apartments and upscale and essential retail. For more information, please visit www.NorthHillsRaleigh.com.

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Media Contacts:
Shawn Ramsey
Crossroads Public Relations (on behalf of First Research)
(919) 359-0947 (office)
(919) 621-0737 (mobile)
sramsey@crossroadspr.com

Kristin W. Bear
Crossroads Public Relations (on behalf of First Research)
(919) 784-0445 (office)
(919) 349-1856 (mobile)
kbear@crossroadspr.com

Charlotte Ellis
Kane Realty Corporation
(919) 833-7755 (office)
(919) 244-9061 (mobile)
cellis@kanerealtycorp.com