S&T Provides Foundation for New NC Strategy

A new strategic plan focusing on the North Carolina Department of Commerce's four cornerstones of economic development success – a globally competitive workforce, investment in science and technology, a competitive business climate, and attractive communities prepared for economic development – has been released by the state's Economic Development Board. We Are Changing the Way We Do Business seeks to flesh out Governor Mike Easley's vision "One North Carolina," which supports creating high quality jobs.

The plan is the result of the 37-member board's effort to examine over a period of 10 months key policy areas affecting the state. Public comment was invited, and each board member served on one of seven committees that addressed such areas as recruitment and retention. In the end, the board stressed improving the state's competitiveness; promoting regionalism with clear, central leadership; cultivating collaborative relationships; and responding to the urgency of North Carolina's unemployment rate, which is fourth highest in the U.S.

Seven long-term goals also were named, including:

• Develop an outstanding education system and a highly qualified workforce;
• Establish an aggressive and coordinated state agenda of investment in research, support for technology development and transfer, and effective use of university outreach;
• Ensure a competitive environment for the recruitment and retention of business, capital investment and job creation;
• Create strong metropolitan growth centers that generate regional business development, shared prosperity and a high quality of life, in partnership with surrounding areas; and,
• Develop a competitive regionally based infrastructure and promote sustainable economic development.

Each of the goals are comprised of additional objectives. Allocating resources and making investments in initiatives such as expanded research programs, advanced computing facilities and industry-focused institutions would help North Carolina foster an improved business climate for New Economy companies, the plan states.

The plan suggests the University of North Carolina create a world-class portal that facilitates improved access to business and technology development resources available through the university and private sources. In return, the board promises to develop recommendations that expand direct state investment to at least $5 million per year in research activities within the university, allowing UNC to fully recover the costs.

To enhance math, science and technology education in North Carolina, the board recommends the State Education Cabinet create a task force that will serve to increase the number of workers in these occupations. The board pledges in return to work toward improving the workforce training process presently used by the state, ultimately to speed the development of technology trained workers.

We Are Changing the Way We Do Business is available at: http://www.nccommerce.com/econbrd/plans/default.asp