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BEST  PRACTICES  &  OPPORTUNITIES   IN  TRIAD  REGION

FEBRUARY  13,  2019

Where are we going?Communications

Product Development

Business Support

Business Attraction

Some Truths about Economic Development

Resources you can use

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Communications

CommunicationsShare Priorities – from strategic plan‐ top 2‐3 goals

Share milestones and progress toward these goals

Share results of events afterward –recap

Share metrics & milestones

Use Photos to tell your story

Use your website to share your plans

Blog on website or newsletter

Social Media

OpEd – or column in print newspaper

Call the Media!

Use Wayfinding to highlight your priorities & connectivity

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Product Development

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Product DevelopmentUtility & Infrastructure Planning

Development Assistance

Public/Private Partnerships

Incubators

Co‐working space

Downtown redevelopment

Commercial & Industrial Parks

Spec building or rehab

Inventory of available/promising spaces

Downtown Streetscape

Downtown ‘plaza’ or park

Leverage natural & historic assets eg river, vista, train station, theater, homes

Opportunity Zones

Business Support

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Business SupportTargeted Calls on Employers

‘Coffee with the Manager’

Inventory of available space

Referrals to ED allies

Business Showcase Events

Starter Kits for start‐ups

Access to capital

Library resources

Business Attraction

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Business AttractionPartner with Economic Developers◦ County

◦ Region

◦ State

Develop & Market Appropriate Real Estate

Target Graduates & Assist w/Business Planning

Partner w/Business for real estate, infrastructure

Consider appropriate incentive and support programs

Economic Development ClichésEconomic Development is a Team Sport

Economic Development is a process – not an event

Incentives cannot make a bad site good

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Resources You Can UseCouncils of Governments, Professional Associations, NC Organizations◦ NC DOC, EDPNC

◦ Rural Center

◦ Appalachian Regional Commission

Peer City or Town◦ City to City Visit – go see how they handle it

◦ Link proximate towns to share agendas, concerns and build relationships

◦ Connect economic development actors in one town for shared goals, alignment 

Thought leaders in the State◦ Rural Center Leadership Programs

◦ Training programs

◦ Emerging Issues Institute

Resources You Can UseHomegrown Tools ‐ http://homegrowntools.unc.edu/

Small Towns, Big Ideas www.sog.unc.edu

Leadership Training Programs, local or https://leadershipnc.org/ or https://www.ncruralcenter.org/

Economic & Demographic Info – https://datausa.io

Development Finance Initiative @ SOG  https://www.sog.unc.edu/resources/microsites/development‐finance‐initiative

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Priorities & Takeaways

Get your messages out

Build partnerships, relationships, networks toward your goals

Leverage your assets

Check your ‘inventory’

Take care of your existing customers

Grow and recruit new business that ‘fit’

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Penny Whiteheart, Sr. Consultant

www.creativeedc.comwww.creativesiteassessment.comwww.creativecec.comwww.certifiedindustrialbuilding.com