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3 <br /> North Carolina Tomorrow <br /> A Collaborative for Sustainable Economic Growth <br /> EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br /> The North Carolina Association of Regional Councils through a collaborative partnership with the <br /> US Department of Economic Development, North Carolina Department of Commerce-Community <br /> Development Division and the SAS Institute of Cary, NC to create a Statewide Comprehensive <br /> Economic Development Strategy(CEDS). <br /> The Statewide CEDS can serve as a"blueprint"for growth and development based on common- <br /> sense, sustainable best practices and"one version of the truth"provided by data collection and <br /> analysis from the SAS Institute. The SAS Institute is developing software specifically for the <br /> initiative, North Carolina Regional Economic Prosperity Strategy(REPS). REPS will be a "tool" <br /> for use by planning professionals,economic development professionals, elected officials and <br /> private industry developers. REPS will be housed at the SAS Institute in Cary at their World <br /> Headquarters in the Institute for State and Local Government that was established in 2010. <br /> EDA has provided funding to assist the Association in developing a Statewide CEDS. The NC <br /> Division of Community Assistance has funded the initiative through the NC Catalyst Program of the <br /> CDBG funds.They are providing planning grants to as many as 17 non-entitlement local <br /> governments serving as the lead regional coordinator within each of the 17 Council of Governments <br /> (COGS)regions. In exchange for the grant,the non-entitlement local unit of government must <br /> foster regional multi jurisdictional participation around the program goals and develop the regional <br /> NC Tomorrow Sustainable Strategic Plan that will build the foundation for the Statewide <br /> Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. <br /> The Regional Councils will lead the effort to develop the Statewide CEDS that will center on the six <br /> livability principles established by the federal Partnership for Sustainable Communities and the six <br /> Investment Principles set forth by the US Department of Economic Development. In addition,the <br /> Association will followthe National Association of Regional Development Organization's (NADO) <br /> Standards of Excellence for CEDS development. The planning process will include all sectors of <br /> the economic development community including local, regional and state economic developers, <br /> planners, private industry, educational institutions, elected officials and many other community <br /> organizations that work on the ground to make North Carolina a great place to live,work and play. <br /> The Association and its partners aspire to develop a strong foundation for common sense <br /> development and growth that will createjobs for our citizens while conserving the natural <br /> resources that make North Carolina the special place it has always been...a place where companies <br /> can thrive and grow their business and where families want to live. <br />