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Q.Why do we need a regional economic development strategy? <br /> A.Research indicates that the majority of U.S. economic activity is occurring not just within major cities <br /> but rather within a limited number of regions across the U.S. To compete globally for people and <br /> businesses,interdependent regions are planning regionally. The Greater Charlotte region's population is <br /> expected to increase by 50 percent within 20 years,and double within 40 years.Part of planning for that <br /> growth is planning for the economic development and workforce development to ensure we have quality <br /> jobs for workers,and skilled workers for jobs. <br /> Q.What's in a CEDS plan? <br /> A. The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy identifies regional economic development <br /> strategies which communities within a region can implement collaboratively to bring about sustainable <br /> economic prosperity. The CEDS includes components such as economic and community development <br /> problems and opportunities,goals and objectives,regional strategies and priorities,industry clusters,a <br /> plan of action,and performance measures. <br /> Q.What does the CEDS process have to do with the regional CONNECT Our Future <br /> process funded by the HUD Sustainability grant? <br /> A. The 2012 update of the five-year Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the nine-county <br /> region is part of the larger CONNECT Our Future initiative. The $7.9 million CONNECT initiative is a <br /> three-year planning process to develop a regional strategic framework focused on sustainable <br /> development—growing the economy and jobs,improving quality of life,and controlling cost of <br /> government. <br /> The CONNECT initiative allowed for an additional component of the 2012 CEDS update,the Jobs, <br /> Workforce,and Education Alignment report. This report utilized the findings from the CEDS to map and <br /> align the region's educational,training,and workforce assets with the region's growing and emerging <br /> industry clusters and competencies. <br /> Q.What do I and my business have to gain from taking the time to be involved in the <br /> CEDS process? <br /> A. This plan includes strategies and an action plan to facilitate implementation of regional goals and <br /> priorities identified in the CEDS,which will help your business and the region succeed and grow. <br /> Whether it is ensuring you have the workforce with the skills necessary to grow your business,identifying <br /> and providing resources for your business,or supporting key regional industry clusters,the 2017 CEDS <br /> will translate into results for our region's business growth and retention. <br /> Q.Do local governments have to align their economic development strategies with CEDS? <br /> A.No. However,there are many local government representatives that are involved in the development <br /> of the CEDS,and they find the coordination with our regional economic development strategy brings <br /> important value to their local economic development strategies. <br /> Q.Does the CEDS plan just sit on a shelf? <br /> A. No. CEDS has an action plan with performance measures and a methodology for cooperation and <br /> integration in the region.A central part of the Centralina Economic Development Commission's charge is <br /> to implement the CEDS,in cooperation with regional,state and federal partners. <br /> For more information or to become a member, contact Victoria Rittenhouse, Centralina Council <br /> of Government at (704) 688-6502 or vrittenhouse @centralina.org. Attachment number 1 \n <br /> F-4 Page 45 <br />