AG 2004 11 15 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

~ " j.J "'è """ O""t"~"""f"""f""¡;""~~~~~\¡,1t¡¡IJ!~~\1~:~'f~j'!;~~J~~~~~ /i......",'.....".'........... i,~~..."., .." C entralin'...àRegiöhal'.'...Côl11preHel1'sivèEêonOm"'¡cDeyetopment.Strategy- During the last decade the region has experienced a large number of layoffs in several industries but most notably in textiles. The textile industry can attribute a great deal of the job loss to many of these jobs moving overseas. Local government and business leaders must embrace the reality that it competes in a world market. These layoffs have forced the region as well as other regions in the US who have also been affected by globalization to rethink the way they approach economic'development. In this new economy it is imperative that communities think and act regionally to assemble a critical maS$ to be able to compete with external forces such as changes in trade policies. The region must also determine what is unique to the region and leverage these qualities to attract talent and investment. Every economic region in the nation m,-!st determine what makes their region unique and build upon that unique characteristic. Regions that cannot differentiate themselves from the competition will be at a competitive disadvantage. Finally, the region must embrace small business, existing busines$ and entrepreneurs as catalysts of their economy. This plan is based around these three primary tenets. Using the plan The Recommendations Report begins with a summary of Kev Findinos from the Community Assessment Report. The Community Assessment Report provides a more detailed explanation of why these issues are critical to address and highlights opportunities that the region should seize. It is essential for the region to fully understand why it is critical to address these issues before embarking on implementation of the strategies that have been developed. " Implementation of any plan is always an important consideration. The Implementation section found on pages 7-10 discusses how the region should work together to implement this plan and which organizations should be involved in its implementation. An implementation matrix is also found in the Appendix of this report. The implementation matrix lists every Goal, Objective and Recommendation found in this plan - as well as timing for implementation, resources needed for implementation and performance measurements to gauge success of implementation, . . EDA requires that a CEDS plan identify priorities for the region. Seven Reqional Priority Projects described on pages 11-16 are projects that the Regional CEDS Committee identified that would have the most significant impact on the region. These include: V Incorporate advanced manufacturing in all business sector$ that can adopt it. ../' Expand research and development by focusing on the motor sports and optoelectronics industries. ../' Improve the region's workforce preparedness through programs in literacy and basic skills development. ../' Developa culture that promotes and encourages entrepreneurship. ../' Promote the region's tourism assets through a well-funded cooperative effort. ../' Enhance the distribution network for the region by investigating the feasibility of à intermodal site at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport. ../' Develop a regional grants team to assist in implementation. & ~~~:v-t~~ ~c~~~~v~J~~ 4