Technical Assistance

Our technical assistance aids policymakers and workforce development staff to better implement innovation and job-creation strategies by:

• Understanding the economic forces affecting regions and states
• Helping local leaders formulate knowledge-based strategies
• Developing transformational models that support knowledge-driven economic prosperity

Building On the Knowledge Economy

The Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC) uses information and data to create resources and toolkits so that state and national policymakers can evaluate, shape, and implement effective and state- and region-specific programs that promote economic development efforts.

Many of our technical-assistance efforts are aimed at: federal agencies, regional and state offices, private nonprofits, educational institutions, and sub-state regional coalitions.

While our primary area of policy expertise relates to economic development, workforce development, and education, our network extends beyond these policy areas through the Association of Public Data Users (APDU) into a variety of fields ranging from health care, criminal justice and housing, and demographics to transportation.

Related Projects

Building a Strong State-Federal Partnership to Support Manufacturing
National Institute of Standards & Technology – Manufacturing Extension Partnership
Start Date: Oct 2002 — End Date: Ongoing

CREC worked with several partners, including the State Science & Technology Institute, to develop a strong support structure for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST MEP) program as it seeks to help manufacturers become globally competitive.

Enhancing State and Local EDO Engagement to Support COVID-19 Recovery and Resiliency
U.S. Economic Development Administration
Start Date: Jul 2021 — End Date: Jun 2024

The U.S. Economic Development Administration awarded a 2-year $1 million grant to the Center for Regional Economic Competitiveness (CREC) to support the State Economic Development Executives (SEDE) Network through technical assistance, training, and research.  CREC will work in collaboration with the National Association of Development Organizations (representing the EDA-funded economic development districts), the State International […]

The Hidden Innovation Infrastructure: Understanding the Economic Development Role of Technician Education in the Changing Future of Work
Rutgers Research
Start Date: Jan 2022 — End Date: May 2024

CREC senior staff advise the Rutgers research team at the Education and Employment Research Center as the team, led by Dr. Michelle Van Noy, seeks to understand the role of technician education in economic development, with a focus on manufacturing, technology, and innovation in regional economies.

Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Collaboration Network (ManTech)
ManTech
Start Date: Jun 2023 — End Date: May 2024

CREC is partnering with E3 Analytics, Erys Consulting, Anthology Communications, American Manufacturing Communities Collaborative (AMCC), DoD’s Manufacturing Technology Program (ManTech), DoD’s Office of Local Defense Community Cooperation (OLDCC), and University of Kentucky Pigman College of Engineering to facilitate a collaboration network for supporting advanced manufacturing and building the future defense workforce. Through this project, CREC […]

State Economic Development Executives Network
Pew Charitable Trusts
Start Date: Apr 2018 — End Date: Dec 2023

CREC is continuing its on-going efforts to develop a network of top state economic development executives and engaging them in a collaborative group.  CREC is organizing a series of conference calls, interviews, and meetings with the executives.  To support that work, CREC is also conducting research on key issues of concern to the network, including […]
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