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Centralina Reaional CEDS Communl$V Assessment-Report..- , ., ,".-.-:-._.,.,.,.,.,~...,..,.,.~ Public Input The community's perceptions of the Centralina region as a place to live and work are important to understand when developing a regional plan such as this CEDS. Public input gathered from businesses identifies specific problems that must be addressed in order to retain local companies. It also highlights the attributes that should be enhanced even further and marketed to outside companies. Similarly, the perceptions of residents provide local leaders with information about the region that need to be improved to retain skilled workers, as well as qualities that could be promoted to draw educated residents. The Community Assessment and Action-Plan reports must be based on significant input from both public and private stakeholders in the region. The following summarizes public input received during this and other CEDS projects: Other CEDS projects The three other CEDS projects utilized an Advisory Committee that was comprised of representative public and private stakeholders from throughout their respective regions. During these projects, several public meetings, focus groups, and interviews were al~o held. . ~ Workforce Provider Survey An online survey was offered to more than 1,000 workforce and education providers in the Centralina Region. Results from this survey are described in the Workforce and Education section of this report. More than 1 00 organizations have provided input. \ Focus Groups Several focus groups have been held throughout the region, including: . . Two CEDS Advisory Committee meetings where the CE,DS project was fully described and where input on key issues was discussed; . Three focus groups were held in Rowan County with individuals involved in quality of life issues, land use/sites/infrastructure, and business issues and trends; . . . Two focus groups were held in Mecklenburg County, which included discussions of business issues and trends and quality of life; . Two focus groups were held for the region, which included discussions of economic development, and entrepreneurship efforts. ~ Interviews Since the beginning of this project, approximately 25 interviews have been held with individuals, including private seètor CEOs, elected officials, economic development professionals, university and community college presidents, and ad hoc resident interviews. Carolina Competitiveness Forum , This forum was sponsored by Duke Energy to primarily discuss the future role of manufacturing in the Carolinas, how to build the Carolinas' competitiveness, and how to drive economic development transformation. Information from this forum has also been incorporated into this assessment report. ' Cro Angelou Economics 6 ,~ Centra/ins c-¡ " --