Billye Carter

Offshore Wind: A New Source for Economic Growth in VA, NC, and SC 

Leave a Comment / May 9, 2022

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% …

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Developing the Ag Cluster in Southwest Virginia

Leave a Comment / April 20, 2022

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 …

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WEDN 2022 Round Up

Leave a Comment / April 14, 2022

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 …

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NCEDA 2022 Local Incentives Survey

Leave a Comment / April 12, 2022

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 …

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Wage Measures 201 –Educating Community Stakeholders on this Important Metric

Leave a Comment / March 17, 2022

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 …

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Shifting Metrics Describe Your Talent Pipeline

Leave a Comment / February 23, 2022

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 …

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Developing a Vision for a Cultural Resources District

Leave a Comment / January 4, 2022

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 …

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Paint a Redevelopment Picture with Numbers: A new co-working space anchors a small downtown

Leave a Comment / August 27, 2021

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 …

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It’s not just a tagline – “SBTDC: Your Business. Better.”

Leave a Comment / August 5, 2021

One of the more interesting projects Creative EDC worked on this year was an update to the North Carolina Small Business and Technology Development Center (SBTDC) strategic plan. Interesting, in part, because of the timing.  Small Business Development Centers (SBDC) have been, and continue to be, at the forefront of the economic recovery effort. During …

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How does your project MEASURE UP?

Leave a Comment / June 2, 2021

Now more than ever before, communities are looking for growth in economic activity to “get back to normal’.  Opportunities for new investment and jobs often means developing a clear communications strategy to brief local and state government partners on the potential for the project, or even to advocate for public investments or actions to support …

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