The Charlotte Region and North Carolina continue to benefit from public-private partnership models that have become the hallmark of economic development and business recruitment in the area.
North Carolina, named America’s Top State for Business by CNBC in 2022, has seen much of its success from collaboration: from lawmakers to developers and leaders in education, who have come together with a common goal of boosting business and advancing the state’s economy.
While recently attending FABTECH, North America’s largest conference for metal forming, fabricating, welding, and finishing, CLT Alliance Business Recruitment Manager Eduardo Venegas appeared on the Industrial Talk podcast to discuss the future of economic development in the Charlotte Region.
As Venegas explained, partnerships in every corner of the region will continue to be an integral part of the playbook.
“I think it’s a lot of collaboration, making sure all of the partners are in sync,” Venegas said. “Getting them at the table early in the conversation so everyone speaks the same language.”
Nathaniel Dick, business development manager at the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, agreed.
“Being a public-private partnership means you get that additional flexibility, you can be a little bit more adapting to the environment, you can see how the industry changes and adapt your workforce, adapt how you target and market,” Dick said.
Recruitment strategies are different from what they were just a few years ago.
“Four or five years ago in economic development, you would go out there and sell the taxes, the incentive proposals,” Dick said. “Now, it’s: ‘Do you have people? What is the quality of life?’ ‘Will I be able to attract people in the future?’”
Venegas highlighted the importance of a strong talent pipeline, one that requires support from colleges, universities, community colleges, and workforce development programs.
“It’s constantly moving,” Venegas said. “We try to coordinate those efforts, making sure that everyone understands what kinds of industries are coming into the region, what kinds of jobs are going to be needed in 5-10 years.”
To hear more of the conversation, check out the Industrial Talk podcast.
