Creative Blog

Alamance Partners in Progress-A Model for Engagement

Elected, local government, and business leaders are critical to advancing economic development policies and projects. However, most of these leaders do not work day-to-day in economic development. It is important for EDOs to inform local leaders of trends, changes in policy, challenges, and opportunities. The recent Alamance Chamber Partners in Progress event is a good …

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Why Childcare Should be an Economic Development Priority

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 …

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Creative Economic Development Consulting Celebrates 10 Years in Business

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 …

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

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

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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NCEDA 2022 Local Incentives Survey

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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Shifting Metrics Describe Your Talent Pipeline

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

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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Labor Force Participation Pre-and Post-COVID

There is no topic more discussed these days than the current difficulties companies have filling jobs. This labor shortage is usually associated with the pandemic and is being analyzed in small businesses and corporate boardrooms, and especially at economic development organizations! We wanted to dig deeper into this topic, so we invited Dr. Laura Ullrich, …

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

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.”

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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