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

Evaluation (GMKPI) Framework for NCBiotech and Accelerate NC
North Carolina Biotechnology Center
Start Date: Nov 2022 — End Date: Feb 2023

Life Sciences Manufacturing Coalition in collaboration with experts from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, CREC will develop an evaluation framework to ensure NCBiotech and key stakeholders are prepared to implement and evaluate projects funded by the Economic Development Administration Build Back Better Regional Challenge. These projects aim to support innovation and impact (e.g., job creation) […]

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

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

Synchronist Suite
Blane Canada Ltd.
Start Date: Mar 2021 — End Date: Dec 2022

Synchronist shifted business retention away from a singular focus on community issues to include an understanding of the company and how it fits into the fabric of the community’s economy. Built on pioneering research, competitive intelligence, predictive analysis, national benchmark data, and an organizing, portfolio management principle, Synchronist Suite allows users to maximize the value […]

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

CREC supported the National Skills Coalition initiative to expand upskilling for essential workers and ensure small businesses had the talent they needed to succeed. NSC aimed to close racial and other equity gaps and address the demand for digital skills. CREC designed and developed state data profiles that support qualitative inquiry, peer learning, and policy […]

Labor Market Assessment for the Carolina Cyber Network
Fayetteville Technical Community College
Start Date: Sep 2021 — End Date: Aug 2022

CREC is providing talent demand information and insights to the Carolina Cyber Network (CCN), a coalition of colleges and universities led by Fayetteville Technical Community College and the Montreat College. CCN will use the data to expand and improve the cybersecurity talent pipeline through engagement and alignment with industry demand. The project seeks to supplement […]
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