Project Profile

Creating a Community Revitalization Plan for Southwestern North Carolina

Southwestern North Carolina Planning and Economic Development Commission
Start Date: Aug 2015 — End Date: Oct 2015

The Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC), in partnership with the University of Northern Iowa’s Institute for Decision Making, helped the Southwestern North Carolina Planning and Economic Development Commission complete a Community Revitalization Plan.

CREC devised an efficient approach by combining earlier strategies from several regional planning efforts into a clear and compelling community revitalization strategic plan. CREC’s guidance will assist the region as it develops economic activities during the next several years, and it will position Southwest North Carolina to compete for the “America’s Best Communities” competition. This competition, presented by private-level funders, calls on communities to showcase economic vitality through entrepreneurial planning and activity. The competition is important for CREC’s client because municipalities that achieve tangible economic impact will vie for cash prizes of up to $3 million.