North Carolina’s senior economic development leadership is one step closer to developing a long-term strategic plan for growing the state’s economy this week, as N.C. Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker and Tony Almeida, senior advisor to the governor on jobs and the economy, have completed their listening tour across the state. They conducted the final event Monday in Wilmington.
Over the past 90 days, Decker and Almeida, as well as members of the N.C. Economic Development Board (NCEDB), have traveled to eight events in each of the newly established Prosperity Zones to hear from economic development professionals, community, business and education leaders, and other stakeholders about the barriers and threats to progress and local opportunities for economic growth.
“It’s been an eye-opening experience to meet with stakeholders in their own communities and hear their thoughts and ideas about improving the economy of our state,” said Sec. Decker. “We all share a common goal of improving the quality of life for all North Carolinians by creating jobs, and it was validating to hear common themes and ideas everywhere we traveled.”
More than 1,000 people attended events in Durham, Hickory, Pinehurst, Winston-Salem, Concord, Asheville, Greenville and Wilmington. Recommendations and discussion from the listening sessions revolved around similar topics that included: infrastructure needs, economic development strategies, importance of tourism, workforce development needs and suggestions, role of community colleges and universities, support for small businesses, less regulations, focus on rural North Carolina, importance of the military, energy and agribusiness, and the need to speed up all processes.
In addition to the listening sessions, a survey was also distributed to all invitees and attendees. More than 1,000 surveys were completed, and that data, along with comments and input from the zone meetings, will be presented to the NCEDB on December 11.
Data from the statewide survey includes input on which industries to focus on, how important exports and foreign investment are, what employers are saying about the quality of the workforce, recommendations to help local businesses, and what state government can do to grow the economy and create more jobs.
Once all the listening tour information is presented to the NCEDB in December, the Board will incorporate findings into its 10-year strategic plan for growing the economy in North Carolina. It will be the responsibility of the new Economic Development Partnership of NC to implement the plan.
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