Bob Morgan, Charlotte Chamber Charlotte Economic Development Strategic Plan

Advantage Carolina 1999

Launched in 1999 by the Charlotte Chamber as a separate 501c3 Launched in 1999 by the Charlotte Chamber as a separate 501c3 Engaged more than 400 business, government and non- profit leaders Engaged more than 400 business, government and non- profit leaders Fourteen key initiatives, with focuses ranging from inner city development to education, were launched through the financial support of more than 30 companies and public entities Fourteen key initiatives, with focuses ranging from inner city development to education, were launched through the financial support of more than 30 companies and public entities

Advantage Carolina 2012

Today, Advantage Carolina is managed by a board of representatives from the Charlotte Chamber and the Charlotte Regional Partnership Today, Advantage Carolina is managed by a board of representatives from the Charlotte Chamber and the Charlotte Regional Partnership Focus has been narrowed down to four key areas: Economic Development, Regionalism, Inner City Development and Education Focus has been narrowed down to four key areas: Economic Development, Regionalism, Inner City Development and Education

Advantage Carolina Successes funded, at least in part, by Advantage Carolina include: Successes funded, at least in part, by Advantage Carolina include: – BusinessFirst Charlotte, a retention program supported by the Charlotte Chamber and the City of Charlotte that utilizes volunteers to interview Charlotte businesses regarding the issues that impact their success – Charlotte Mecklenburg Development Corporation, which has helped transform several challenged areas in Charlotte – National Marketing, which helped attract new relocation prospects and has garnered more than $1 million in editorial value – Support of CMS Taskforce (now MeckEd), a supportive force for Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools – Support for bid for NASCAR Hall of Fame – Charlotte Mecklenburg School’s Leaders for Tomorrow program designed to train up-and-coming principals

Advantage Carolina – Charlotte Regional Partnership’s Film Commission Study, which has helped support our growing film industry – Carolina Thread Trail, Lincolnton support, to launch the portion of the trail through this area – Beatties Ford Road Corridor improvements which are helping to transform this part of Charlotte – Grameen Micro Loans, which provide loans to create business opportunities for the area’s poor – Democratic National Convention, provided funds to help bring the convention to Charlotte and create an unprecedented public relations opportunity for the city

Charlotte Economic Development Strategic Plan 2013/2014

Goal Develop a set of initiatives designed to support the growth of identified existing and emerging industry clusters in Charlotte Mecklenburg. Develop a set of initiatives designed to support the growth of identified existing and emerging industry clusters in Charlotte Mecklenburg.

Approach Utilize research conducted by the Centralina Economic Development Commission to determine the targeted clusters and pertinent data pertaining to each. Develop 4 – 6 target clusters and conduct focus groups with representatives from the cluster. Utilize research conducted by the Centralina Economic Development Commission to determine the targeted clusters and pertinent data pertaining to each. Develop 4 – 6 target clusters and conduct focus groups with representatives from the cluster. Utilizing a professional facilitator, determine: Utilizing a professional facilitator, determine: – Retention issues – Growth issues – Vendor needs/recruitment – How to attract others from the cluster – Branding of the cluster – Identifying Corporate Champions From findings of the focus groups, develop a key set of initiatives designed to support/resolve issues raised and position clusters for growth. Determine need for and process for funding. From findings of the focus groups, develop a key set of initiatives designed to support/resolve issues raised and position clusters for growth. Determine need for and process for funding.

Next Steps – Engage: Charlotte Chamber BOD Charlotte Chamber BOD Chamber Partners in Charlotte and Region Chamber Partners in Charlotte and Region CRP BOD CRP BOD CCCP BOD CCCP BOD CRVA BOD CRVA BOD City of Charlotte City of Charlotte Mecklenburg County Mecklenburg County Mecklenburg Towns Mecklenburg Towns Charlotte Chamber Chapters Charlotte Chamber Chapters

Next Steps Retain a consultant to help us understand what is working elsewhere Retain a consultant to help us understand what is working elsewhere Recruit and conduct industry focus groups Recruit and conduct industry focus groups Prepare and present “The Plan” of initiatives Prepare and present “The Plan” of initiatives Evaluate support for fund drive Evaluate support for fund drive Identify leads for fund drive (champions and/or professional firm) Identify leads for fund drive (champions and/or professional firm) Evaluate/Launch fund drive Evaluate/Launch fund drive