The Creative Give Back

creative giveback logo v2

In 2014, we decided to give away one consulting project a year through a competitive proposal process. Up to $25,000 worth of our services. Crazy, right? Some told us so. As a new firm, how were we supposed to afford to give away one whole project? We did and loved it.

Give Back Projects:

  • 2014 – The Alliance of South Charlotte Communities developed a new regional economic development organization.
  • 2015 – Cabarrus County Economic Development created an awareness campaign of nontraditional careers targeted to girls and women.
  • 2016 – Wayne County Development Alliance developed strategies to transition military spouses, exiting members, and veterans into local employment.
  • 2017 – The City of Graham is working on a community development fund for the redevelopment of underutilized buildings, patient capital for new businesses, and a tie to education, mentoring and support services to recipients of the gap financing.
  • 2018 – The Blacksburg Partnership wanted the Young Professionals Network refreshed and re-energized.  We developed an action plan that includes networking, education, professional development and volunteer opportunities.
  • 2019 – Waynesboro, VA leveraged the Creative Give Back for a corridor redevelopment plan on the road that leads from downtown to the intersection of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Shenandoah National Park, and Appalachian Trial.
  • 2020 – The Red Rose City Development Corporation in Lancaster, SC. They applied for Creative EDC’s help to redevelop a site that they hope will “eliminate another blighted area around the city and inspire a sense of hope and pride, and more importantly, economic opportunities for surrounding residents, in addition to providing an attractive landmark for the area.”
  • 2021- Nikwasi Initiative and partners will establish a Cultural District around the Noquisiyi Mound in Franklin, NC. This new district will honor the heritage of the Cherokee people and help to build universal understanding between cultures. The pioneering project will include a learning center, open space, and entrepreneurship. It will attract new diversity to the tourism industry of western North Carolina and southern Appalachia adding jobs, tourism dollars, and extended multiplier effects. Creative EDC refined the development vision and quantified the economic impact of the district.
  • 2022- North Carolina Employee Ownership Center project was to develop strategies and key messages the Center can use to engage with economic developers and business advisors. The Center wants to form strategic partnerships to further raise awareness of the value of employee ownership.
  • 2023- The Wilmington Chamber of Commerce Toolkit for Entrepreneur Development designed to support the startup and scaling of entrepreneurial companies.

We look forward to continuing The Creative Give Back. Send your bright ideas.

Creative Economic Development Consulting