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

National Skills Coalition Initiative
National Skills Coalition
Start Date: Jul 2021 — End Date: Sep 2022

CREC is supporting with the National Skills Coalition initiative to expand upskilling for essential workers and ensure small businesses have the talent they need to succeed. NSC aims to close racial and other equity gaps and address the demand for digital skills. CREC will design and develop state data profiles that support qualitative inquiry, peer […]

Program Support for Treasury’s SSBCI Initiative
U.S. Department of Treasury, State Small Business Credit Initiative
Start Date: Sep 2021 — End Date: Sep 2022

CREC is providing advisory and programmatic support to assist the successful implementation and operation of the U.S. Department of Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Activities will include formulating SSBCI eligibility and approval criteria, creating of standards and requirements for participation of lenders and investors, and aligning the SSBCI program with the requirements for […]

Facilitating a Manufacturing Playbook with the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council
Team Pennsylvania
Start Date: Jul 2021 — End Date: Feb 2022

Working closely with Sparks Policy Group, CREC is supporting the work of the Pennsylvania Manufacturing Advisory Council. CREC is helping to facilitate the council meetings and working group sessions to develop recommendations on how best to strengthen manufacturing in the Commonwealth. CREC will provide supportive policy and economic research while also helping the Council members […]

Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission Economic Resilience Strategy
Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission
Start Date: May 2021 — End Date: Jan 2022

CREC is assisting Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. in developing an Economic Resilience Strategy for the Kankakee-Iroquois Regional Planning Commission (K-IRPC) that builds regional capacity to respond to economic shocks. CREC supports the project by providing experience throughout the planning process, development of survey instruments, focus group facilitation, and identification of implementation strategies that align with […]

Developing a Community Empowerment Scorecard
Colorado Workforce Development Council
Start Date: Apr 2020 — End Date: Dec 2021

CREC is assisting the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) in promoting economic mobility among the individuals that are receiving employment assistance.  CREC is developing a community empowerment scorecard to help CWDC monitor the various factors that contribute to jobseeker mobility.  The scorecard will focus on examining career pathways and partnerships in the retail sector that […]
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