Solving Challenges Others Cannot Economic Development Trends Christopher D. Lloyd March 23, 2008
Trends Overview Corporate trends Policy trends
Corporate Trends Increasing internal competition for capital investment funds Shorter timeframes for corporate decision making Acceleration of project development Devaluation of tax credits
Corporate Trends More attention to long-term project costs (especially property taxes) Increased use of internal training resources Increased use of out-of-town contractors and project managers
Corporate Trends Increased attention to DMBE contracting Workforce diversity Desire flexibility in performance agreements for market fluctuations Increasing importance of infrastructure incentives
Corporate Trends Commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability Rational and uniform environmental laws Sinking U.S. dollar is spurring corporate investment by foreign companies Focus on energy costs
Policy Trends Shrinking budgets (real and nominal) Increasingly complex incentives – consultant job security Performance based incentives (grants) instead of tax credits “Ombudsman” initiatives
Policy Trends Increasing flexibility in use of training funds/delivery platforms More local incentives Site certification
Perceptions of North Carolina – The Good Strong ability to put lots of money on the table Strong pro-business climate Right to work and proud of it! Supportive local governments Excellent post-secondary education
Perceptions of North Carolina – The Bad Aging and crumbling transportation infrastructure Weak international connections (ports and airports) Tax burden increasing Incentives litigation
Perceptions of North Carolina – Issues to Watch Energy policy and politics Environmental policy and politics Impact of BRAC Impact of immigration Rural North Carolina – the Have Nots
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