Helping Communities Shine

Whether researching and implementing ways to shape a community's economic development plan or partnering to create ways to put people to work, CREC connects researchers and policymakers with:

     • Data training
     • Custom portfolios that aid regional competitiveness

Project Profile

International Engagement Ready Communities Initiative

U.S. Economic Development Administration
Start Date: Oct 2017 — End Date: Jun 2018

CREC is collaborating with SRI International’s Center for Innovation Strategy and Policy (CISP) and Stone & Associates to produce a rigorous, validated set of tools that can be used by regions across the United States to develop and execute a plan to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and foster export promotion. The IERC Initiative began with in-depth qualitative and quantitative analyses of successful international engagement strategies. These analyses, coupled with inputs from subject matter experts, local practitioners, and regional partners, will be used to develop a Best Practices Toolkit that will enable regions to develop and implement effective strategies and practices that leverage each region’s unique strengths and opportunities, using “how to guides,” examples, case studies, checklists, and summary briefings on specific topics. The IERC Initiative requires engagement throughout the project with a broad network of diverse communities, subject matter experts, associations, and organizations. The network’s involvement is essential in gathering data, conducting the required research, compiling and assimilating information about effective practices, developing and testing the Assessment Tool and Toolkit, and deploying the Toolkit widely to communities across the nation.

Research & PlanningTechnical Assistance

About the Client

U.S. Economic Development Administration

EDA plays a critical role in fostering regional economic development efforts in communities across the nation.