The Economic Development Board is responsible for creating and updating North Carolina's economic development strategic plan. In 1994, the Board wrote its first state strategic plan, Making North Carolina a High Performance State.
In July 1999, the Board released an updated strategic plan that:
- Highlighted the state's economic development accomplishments since 1994
- Reiterated ongoing needs outlined in the 1994 plan
- Introduced new strategies reflecting changes and trends in the North Carolina economy.
In 2001, Governor Easley charged the Board with developing a new comprehensive strategic economic development plan that takes innovative and strategic approaches to such issues as incentives, workforce development, and the development of science and future technologies. The Board unveiled its plan, We Are Changing the Way We Do Business, in October 2002 and is working to implement the plan, along with staff and advisors, through advocacy and ongoing accountability reviews with the state's economic development agencies.
The strategic plan was updated in 2004, 2006, and again in 2007. The most recent version of the plan was presented to the Economic Development Board at the April 2007 meeting.
To formulate this plan, the Board's seven committees examined issues in their designated policy focus areas and made recommendations to the full Board for final action. The Board has organized the committees to focus on seven major areas of economic development in North Carolina, including:
- Community Readiness and Urban Development
- Infrastructure, Transportation and the Environment
- Recruitment and Retention
- Rural Development Issues
- Science, Technology and University Outreach
- Tourism, Film, Sports, Arts and Cultural Resources
- Workforce Development and Education
Each committee was aided by staff of a corresponding Department of Commerce division and by advisors from other state agencies, private companies and non-profit organizations.
The 2007 Executive Summary takes the updated 2004 plan and focuses individually on each of these seven goals and the most recent accomplishments. Crosswalk 2006, compares the original plan goals to the actual progress made. For information about the North Carolina Economic Development Board and North Carolina's state strategic plan for economic development, see the links below.
ED Board Retrospective: 2002-2008
2008 Update Economic Development Board Strategic Plan
2007 Update of Actions and Accomplishments
2006 Update of Actions and Accomplishments
North Carolina Economic Development Strategic Plan
Economic Development Strategic Plan Goals
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Goal 1 |
Develop an Outstanding Education System and a Highly Qualified Workforce |
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Goal 2 |
Invest in Science, Technology, and University Outreach |
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Goal 3 |
Ensure a Competitive Environment for the Recruitment and Retention of Business, Capital Investment and Jobs Creation |
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Goal 4 |
Create Strong Metropolitan Growth Centers that Generate Regional Business Development, Shared Prosperity, and a High Quality of Life, in Partnership with Surrounding Areas |
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Goal 5 |
Develop Thriving Rural Areas That Maintain a High Quality of Life |
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Goal 6 |
Develop a Competitive Regionally Based Infrastructure and Promote Sustainable Economic Development |
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Goal 7 |
Maintain and Strengthen Tourism, Film, and Sports Industries; Preserve, Protect, and Promote Our State’s Cultural, Natural, and Heritage Assets |