For the first time, North Carolina’s 16 regional councils of government have come together to create a blueprint for statewide community and economic development.
The report is called “North Carolina Tomorrow, Building Communities for Tomorrow’s Jobs.” It focuses on the competitive advantages of each region, like Tourism and Energy. But also give attention to emerging technologies like video modeling and gaming.
Joe McKinney is Executive Director of the National Association of Development Organizations.
“From a national perspective, a lot of our states are looking at the new economy, it’s no longer going out and chasing smoke stacks,” said McKinney.
McKinney says North Carolina’s strategy is impressive.
“Other states are looking for models and this one in NC is one we can hold out there as best practices give some other states some direction.”
Pat Mitchell is Assistant Commerce Secretary for Rural Development. She says a lot of the goals and strategies in the report are similar to the Jobs Plan recently presented by Gov. Pat McCrory.
"And I think the regional councils do important work in the areas in which they serve and I think we can all work together to better things for the citizens of North Carolina," said Mitchell.
The U.S. Economic Development Administration and HUD partnered with the NC Association of Regional Councils of Government to produce the report.
The “North Carolina Tomorrow” report has already been sent to the governor and to the legislature.
