In April 2023, the CSPDC launched its update of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). As the region’s 5-year plan for economic development, the CEDS provides a vision and a blueprint for greater economic prosperity and growth. This region-wide planning effort offers a platform for various stakeholders including local governments, institutions of learning, and private industry to engage in a meaningful conversation about capacity building efforts that would best foster economic development in the region. This process will involve baseline economic analyses, goal and strategy identification, and performance measure development for local and regional strategies. The theme of economic resilience will be incorporated throughout the CEDS.
Following a public procurement process, the CSPDC awarded a contract to Mangum Economics and their partners Spectrum Growth Solutions and Timmons Group to assist in the CEDS’ development. The planning process kicked off in April with the formation of a Working Group that includes representatives from local economic development and planning staff, community colleges, workforce development organizations, and small business accelerators from around the region. The Working Group held a kickoff meeting on April 18th and will meet periodically to guide the development of the plan. The updated CEDS is anticipated to be completed in October 2023.