Agenda - 10-04-2011 - 7b - Laserfiche WebLink

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fort Carolina Tome~rrow A Collaborative for Sustainable Economic Growth EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The North Carolina Association of Regional Councils through a collaborative partnership with the US Department of Economic Development, North Carolina Department of Commerce- Community Development Division and the SAS institute of Cary, NC to create a Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). The Statewide CEDS can serve as a "blueprint" for growth and development based on common- sense, sustainable-best practices and "one-version of the truth" provided by data collection and analysis from the SAS Institute. The SAS Institute is developing software specifically forthe initiative, North Carolina Regional Economic Prosperity Strategy (REPS). REPS will be a "tool" for use by planning professionals, economic development professionals, elected officials and private industry developers. REPS will be housed at the SAS Institute in Cary at their World Headquarters in the Institute for State and Local Government that was established in zoio. EDA has provided funding to assist the Association in developing a Statewide CEDS. The NC Division of Community Assistance has funded the initiative through the NC Catalyst Program of the CDBG funds. They are providing planning grants to as many as z7non-entitlement local governments serving as the lead regional coordinator within each ofthe i7 Council of Governments (COGs) regions. In exchange forthe grant, the non-entitlement local unit of government must foster regional multi-jurisdictional participation around the program goals and develop the regional NC Tomorrow Sustainable Strategic Plan that will build the foundation forthe Statewide Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The Regional Councils will lead the effort to develop the Statewide CEDS that will center on the six livability principles established by the federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities and the six Investment Principles set forth by the US Department of Economic Development. In addition, the Association will follow the National Association of Regional Development Organization's (NADO) Standards of Excellence for CEDS development. The planning process will include all sectors of the economic development community including local, regional and state economic developers, planners, private industry, educational institutions, elected officials and many other community organizations that work on the ground to make North Carolina a great place to live, work and play. The Association and its partners aspire to develop a strong foundation for common sense development and growth that will create jobs for our citizens while conserving the natural 3 resources that make North Carolina the special place it has always been...a place where companies can thrive and grow their business and where families want to live.