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CO in, <br />NPECT 40 <br />mr <br />Vibrant Communities- Robust Region <br />1: <br />Q. What is "CONNECT Our Future: Vibrant Communities — Robust Region "? <br />A. "CONNECT Our Future" is a process in which communities, counties, businesses, educators, non - profits <br />and other organizations work together to grow jobs and the economy, improve quality of life and control <br />the cost of government. This project will create a regional growth framework developed through <br />extensive community engagement and built on what communities identify as existing conditions, future <br />plans and needs, and potential strategies. It is supported by a $4.9 million HUD Sustainable Communities <br />Grant and $3 million in local in -kind public and private matching resources. The CONNECT Our Future <br />three -year process will engage public, private and non - profit organizations across the 14- county region. It <br />is based on, and builds from, the region's CONNECT vision. <br />Q. Why do we need a regional growth framework? <br />A. The population of the region is expected to grow by 50 percent in 20 years and double within 40 years. <br />A regional growth framework will help us best utilize the limited resources that will be available for the <br />infrastructure and systems necessary for growth. The CONNECT Our Future process will give us the <br />opportunity to discuss how we want to address multi - billion dollar infrastructure investments and <br />encourage existing and new business investment in our region. hl similar collaborative processes, the <br />Salt Lake City region identified $3.5 billion and the Kansas City region identified $2.5 billion in <br />infrastructure savings. <br />Q. What counties are included in the 14- county grant area? <br />A. The grant area is the Greater Charlotte 14- county bi -state region which includes: Anson, Cabarrus, <br />Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union Counties in North <br />Carolina, and Chester, Lancaster, Union and York Counties in South Carolina. <br />Q. What is the region's CONNECT vision? <br />A. In 2005 -2008, the 14- county bi -state region came together and developed a vision for the region's future. <br />That vision has been adopted by local governments representing more than 70 percent of the population <br />within the region. Its six core values are: <br />• A strong, diverse economy; <br />• Sustainable, well- managed growth; <br />• A safe and healthy environment; <br />• High quality educational opportunities; <br />• Increased collaboration among jurisdictions; and, <br />• Enhanced social equity. <br />Q. How would CONNECT Our Future support economic growth and jobs? <br />A. CONNECT Our Future would support economic growth and jobs by: <br />Including business development strategies in community plans; <br />Identifying and removing barriers to business growth; <br />Aligning worker training and business /target industries; <br />Attachment number 6 <br />G -2 Page 317 <br />