When companies take a look at potential sites for expansions or when entrepreneurs explore potential for starting a business, one of the top considerations is the labor market. In today’s current market the available workforce is limited, thanks in part to a strong economy and an historically low unemployment rate of 3.6%. However, there’s a …
Why Childcare Should be an Economic Development Priority Read More »
Creative Economic Development Consulting is celebrating 10 years in business. Over the last 10 years, we have added expert talent, launched innovative services, developed creative strategies, given back to the field, and endeavored to become the “go-to” economic development firm. What has stayed constant is our commitment to serving our clients and the profession. We …
Creative Economic Development Consulting Celebrates 10 Years in Business Read More »
Temperatures are already rising and summer is in sight – time to round up some of our recommendations for summer reading. Whether your book is for relaxing on the beach or for your earbuds during a workout, books can challenge us; comfort us; propel us on journeys to far away and foreign places or on …
An innovative, new and growing industry sector is set to impact North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia in the coming years presenting increased opportunities for new manufacturing establishments, new careers and employment growth and diversification of the economic base with increased scientific and energy activities. The global market for offshore wind has been growing 24% …
Offshore Wind: A New Source for Economic Growth in VA, NC, and SC Read More »
Emory & Henry College engaged Creative EDC to study how their new School of Business can drive growth in the agriculture sector in Southwest Virginia and become a hub of innovation. The college has long been a strategic partner of economic development organizations, local governments, nonprofits, and businesses. They want to leverage Emory & Henry’s …
The theme of this year’s forum was COVID Accelerated Everything – What’s Next? We dove into how COVID has impacted industrial real estate, entrepreneurship, city planning, family friendly workplace policies, and a host of other topics. This year we gave out copies of Adam Grant’s book Think Again. It is apropos given our theme and …
The North Carolina Economic Development Association and Creative Economic Development Consulting surveyed local economic development agencies across North Carolina to gauge the usage and terms for incentives for economic development. The findings were compared to a 2011 study to see how incentive policy has changed in the state. The results of this study can be …
One of an economic developer’s roles is to educate local officials on economic development principles, best practices, and trends. We have had some discussions lately on how to help local officials understand the different wage metrics that can be used for incentive and grant programs. The terms average wage, manufacturing wage, poverty wage, and living …
Wage Measures 201 –Educating Community Stakeholders on this Important Metric Read More »
In the late twentieth century when economic development was becoming professionalized, a community might have one sheet of paper describing its ‘workforce’ which would be shared with prospects and clients. Key indicators like Total Labor Force, Unemployment Rate, and % of Workforce with a High School Diploma would be featured. It might also include a …
Check out the guest blog Crystal Morphis and Penny Whiteheart authored for our strategic partner Convergent Nonprofit Solutions. It’s a good read!
The Noquisiyi Initiative was the 2021 Creative Give Back winner. The Initiative and partners are establishing 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 proposed includes a learning center, education facilities, and entrepreneurship space. Creative EDC’s role was to help refine the redevelopment …
Developing a Vision for a Cultural Resources District Read More »
We hope you pick up a sweet tidbit or two from the Top 10 Things We Learned This Year. You know we are avid readers. We know you are too, because our most read blog each year is “Summer Reading.” There are many good recommended reading lists, but our favorite is Adam Grant’s. Childcare is …
Top 10 Things We Learned This Year – Holiday Video 2021 Read More »
As the end of the calendar year draws near, many economic developers are thinking about how to spend that big bonus check. Others are wondering how to convince their EDO to create a bonus plan. It is also the time of the year to think about salary raises for you and your staff. We have …
At Creative EDC, our strategic plans have no shelf life. They are meant for action, not gathering dust on a shelf. We believe in the value of planning your work and working your plan. The Economic Development Authority of Amherst County, VA is a great example of working a strategic plan. The EDA methodically worked …
Downtown Wake Forest, NC is historic and charming featuring many shops and restaurants. One thing it does not yet have is a major employer. When Jason Cannon, President of Wake Forest’s Business and Industry Partnership (BIP), learned that a local operator of co-working spaces had plans to convert a downtown warehouse into co-working and event …
