In response to growth in demand for Creative Economic Development Consulting’s programs and services, Penny Whiteheart has joined Creative EDC as a Senior Consultant. Penny has spent her career working in local and regional economic development programs, gaining broad experience in regional cluster strategies, marketing, business attraction and international trade. Penny will be involved with Creative EDC’s strategic planning, organizational development, and product development consulting services. In addition to her work with Creative EDC, she will continue in her contract role at one of North Carolina’s regional economic development partnerships.
“We are very excited to have Penny join our team. Her track record of innovative approaches to economic development fits well with our firm’s out-of-the box approach and entrepreneurial spirit,” said Crystal Morphis, Creative EDC CEO.
Whiteheart said, “Creative EDC has become known for creative and innovative work in the field of economic development. I am looking forward to applying my experience and expertise to the wide range of services the firm provides to a diverse c
lient base.”
Working in local and regional economic development agencies, Penny has experience managing economic development programs, administration, and Foreign Trade Zone programs. Since 2014 she has served as managing director of a non-profit working to connect and strengthen the aerospace and aviation industry for the economic benefit of North Carolina Aerospace. With more than 25 years of experience in non-profit management and economic development, she is a frequent speaker on topics including international trade, workforce, and economic development practices. She is past president of C2ER, the national association of professionals in community and economic development research, and a member of the Board of the NC Center for the Creative Economy.
Creative EDC was founded in 2012 by Crystal Morphis. Since then the firm has grown to include Heather Beard, Research Analyst, and Billye Carter, Internet Marketing Specialist. The firm is the only economic development consulting firm in the country that owns three proprietary programs: Certified Entrepreneurial Community®, Certified Industrial Building, and CreativeSiteAssessment.com. We are also unique in our commitment to pay our success forward. We give away one project a year through a competitive proposal process (The Creative Give Back), sponsor the Economic Development Mentor Network, and organize and sponsor the Women’s Economic Development Network Leadership Forum.