Well, it should be no trouble finding a theme for any part of 2020 – even if the summer slipped up on us and is now on the downhill slope toward fall. It makes sense that the ‘work from home’ framework would support even more time for reading and blogging and yet this one seems …
Site certification works. In order to attract new development, communities have to prepare for it; site certification tools turn ‘dirt’ into real assets. Certification shows that project work can begin and removes a lot of risk and uncertainty. Having a certified, ‘shovel ready’ site includes environmental assessments, infrastructure details, site planning, and documents that other …
Turning Plain Dirt into a Real Asset: ElectriCities Smart Sites Certification Program Read More »
Creative EDC Intern Rylee Govoreau explores economic development with three professionals at different stages in their careers. Pass this along to a young person you know who may be interested in a career in economic development. As with every other industry, economic development is facing the silver tsunami. We should all be proactive in recruiting bright young people to our field. ~ …
By Lisa Finaldi Lisa is the Community Engagement Leader at the North Carolina Early Childhood Foundation. The COVID-19 crisis has made crystal clear the vital role that child care and other parent supports play in getting our economy back on track. Even before the pandemic, 99 of 100 counties in NC were already child care deserts …
Why Child Care Should Be Part of Your COVID-19 Recovery Strategy Read More »
A Case Study of Abbeville County’s College Promise Scholarship Program Abbeville County not only has big ideas, they make them happen. The rural county of approximately 25,000 people raised funds that allow every high school graduate to earn a degree at Piedmont Technical College. This has impacted education, workforce development, business development, and opened many …
A Small, Rural County Making a Big Difference in Workforce Development Read More »
With nearly 100% of companies reporting being impacted by COVID-19, EDOs are reshaping the BRE program to meet unprecedented needs. Virtual BRE visits, increased information sharing, financing programs, and revisiting incentive compliance are just a few changes being made to BRE programs. By examining business impact, precautions being taken, and assistance needed, EDOs can gain …
BRE Amidst COVID-19: Business Impact & How to Reshape Your BRE Program Read More »
Due to the economic cliff most businesses fell off of in March, some will not meet the performance milestones set out in incentive agreements negotiated years before. Are communities being flexible on incentive compliance, and if so, how? We asked Azad Khan with Parker Poe Consulting this burning question and others related to incentive compliance. …
“What skills should I be learning right now?” is a question we have been asked by several economic developers. We have all been thrown into a new work environment that requires a new set of skills. We believe virtual meetings, collaboration, and site visits are here to stay to some degree. Companies and organizations have …
Top 10 Skills Economic Developers Should be Honing Right Now Read More »
The shifting landscape of meetings today has brought front-and-center the need to make meetings better – more productive with better results. There are 55 million meetings a day in the U.S. at a cost of about $1.4 trillion. Some 47% of people say that too many meetings are a drain on the workplace. Dr. Steven …
Are you wondering how to redevelop a former mill in your town? Then follow the Creative Give Back in 2020. This year’s winner is 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 …
We were fortunate to have our lives touched by Bob in many ways. He was a long-time mentor and friend to Crystal Morphis and instrumental in the founding of the firm. His positive attitude, generosity, and kind spirit brought out the best in everyone around him. From Navy Captain to Government Manager to Economic Developer …
Bob Comer will be deeply missed by the Creative EDC family. Read More »
In times of competing priorities for limited public investment dollars it is more important than ever to articulate a project’s value. When economic developers want to communicate value clearly and objectively, economic impact analysis is a way to convert the potential for positive economic outcomes to precise dollar figures and employment numbers. It can illustrate …
There is a vacant storefront up Main Street from our office in downtown Elkin. The retail store was a staple on Main Street for many years. It closed when the owner retired. We’re hearing this same scenario played out in communities across our market area whether a Main Street business or locally owned manufacturing company. …
We have not had a chance to vacation yet, but evenings on the porch are a nice setting for a good book, too. If you are planning a get-away, or just reading to relax at the end of the day, check out these recommendations for summer reading! We featured “Give and Take” by Adam Grant …
We first published the Safety Guide for Economic Development Professionals in 2018.It was, and still is, the only safety guide for our profession. Since safety isn’t a one-time discussion, this blog revisits the topic in hopes that you will make safety a regular part of your office protocols. Economic developers take on so many roles, …
