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
Regional Innovation Cluster Initiative Program Evaluation
U.S. Small Business Administration
Start Date: Oct 2019 — End Date: Sep 2020
CREC and Optimal Solutions Group are providing program evaluation services to the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Office of Performance Management on its Regional Innovation Cluster Initiative. SBA’s Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) Initiative was launched in September 2010, with funding now provided to 14 industry clusters across the country focused on geospatial technology products, water technologies, […]
Counting U.S. Secondary and Postsecondary Credentials, Phase III
Credential Engine
Start Date: Jan 2020 — End Date: Sep 2020
For the third year, CREC is collaborating with the George Washington University Institute of Public Policy to determine a typology and count of U.S. educational and professional credentials for Credential Engine—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to promoting transparency and literacy in the credential marketplace. Our goal is to identify existing data sources and integrate these into […]
Assessing and Evaluating the Defense Industry Resiliency Program (IRP)
Office of Economic Adjustment (OEA)
Start Date: Nov 2015 — End Date: Jun 2020
CREC and EntreWorks Consulting are providing technical assistance for the OEA by assessing and evaluating the design and effects of OEA’s Defense Industry Resiliency Program (IRP) and the assistance that its grantees provide to defense-dependent communities, workers, and businesses. CREC and EntreWorks works closely with OEA management and personnel to conduct a comprehensive effort that […]
ARC Entrepreneurial Benchmark Update 2018-2020
Appalachian Regional Commission
Start Date: Oct 2018 — End Date: Jun 2020
CREC, working with EntreWorks Consulting, is continuing our work in promoting entrepreneurial efforts in the Appalachian Region by maintaining a database of the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, updating research on the region’s economic dynamism, and maintaining a web presence at http://arceco.creconline.org for the entrepreneurial directory and the entrepreneurial index (updated through 2017).
Assisting College Leaders In Using Labor Market Data to Drive Education and Training Curriculum
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Start Date: Feb 2020 — End Date: Jun 2020
CREC is helping FTCC leadership and staff translate data about labor market trends into more demand-driven curriculum plans that recognize key labor market opportunities as an important criterion in allocating limited college resources. Through this effort, CREC is reviewing how FTCC uses data in their curriculum planning process and is facilitating working sessions with the […]