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

Texas Research Differentiation Report, 2021
Texas Foundation for Innovative Community
Start Date: Jan 2021 — End Date: Jun 2021

CREC is working with the Austin Technology Incubator, Texas Foundation for Innovative Communities, The Academy of Medicine, Engineering & Science of Texas (TAMEST), and University of Texas at Austin to identify and document the state’s advantages in academic and applied research, including promising late-stage research relative to global innovation leaders. With this information, the project […]

Developing Regional Ecosystems to Support Recovery-to-Work
Appalachian Regional Commission
Start Date: Nov 2019 — End Date: Apr 2021

CREC is providing technical assistance and generating lessons learned from the experience in local development districts (LDDs) in how to help businesses and individuals succeed in their recovery from substance abuse disorder.  Providing staff support to the Development District Association of Appalachia (DDAA), CREC is helping four LDDs through a year-long process of articulating the […]

DDAA Rural Broadband and EDA CARES Act Funding Peer Best Practices Research Report
Development District Association of Appalachia
Start Date: Oct 2020 — End Date: Mar 2021

The Development District Association of Appalachia contracted with CREC to gain insights about local development district efforts to improve their respective regions – specifically, to better understand local development district uses of CARES funding as well as to gain insights on best practices in promoting rural broadband.  The project will provide DDAA members with best […]

Strategy Guidance Note on the Promotion of Public Sector Data Sharing
United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration
Start Date: Dec 2020 — End Date: Jan 2021

CREC developed a Strategy Guidance Note and related global case studies on data sharing as a principle of sound policymaking which can contribute to strengthening the effectiveness of institutions. The United Nations Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) has developed a set of principles of effective governance for sustainable development to provide practical, expert […]

Counting U.S. Secondary and Postsecondary Credentials, Phase III
Credential Engine
Start Date: Jan 2020 — End Date: Nov 2020

CREC proposed to continue its work in counting credentials, but we also sought to generate a more thorough understanding of the accessibility of credentials for Americans by counting the number of credentials by state, examining the types of credentials offered, and better understanding what organizations offer these credentials.  In addition, CREC conducted preliminary research on […]
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