1. Prosperity for Greater Charlotte Project
An Initiative to align the region’s economic, workforce, and education
efforts to boost prosperity in the 21st Century
2013 NADO
Annual Conference
August 26, 2012

2. Charlotte Region was #1 fastest growing of 42 Metros above One Million
population in US in 2000-2010 decade. Projected to double in next 20-30 years.

3. Regional Economic Development
Strategy
• The Prosperity for Greater Charlotte Project and HUD “CONNECT Our
Future” Economic Development Group collaboratively partners the:
– Centralina Council of Governments
– Centralina Economic Development Commission,
– Catawba Regional Council of Governments, and
– Charlotte Regional Partnership “Charlotte USA”
• The Prosperity for Greater Charlotte Project culminates in three strategic
plans:
– Centralina Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy and integrally linked;
– Greater Charlotte USA Jobs, Workforce & Education Alignment Strategy and,
– Catawba Region Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (Four South
Carolina Counties)

4. 21st Century Greater Charlotte
Global Region
 Covers an area in 2 states &
17 counties
 Includes 2 separate Councils
of Governments and
incorporates border counties
of 3 more COGs
 Represents 7 workforce
development boards that
comprise and existing
alliance organization
 Embraces over 58 local K-12
districts, community
colleges, & higher education
institutions.

6. Asset Inventory, SWOT & Target Industries, & Competencies

7. Review of the region’s 47 public and private institutions yielded
a complete inventory of educational programs that serve the needs of the
region’s target industries and competencies

8. CONNECT Process Overview
Prosperity
for Greater
Charlotte
Prosperity
for Greater
Charlotte

9. Why is this process so important?
• Develop shared vision for the future with strong leaders and committed
citizens
• Build plans around enhancement of assets
• Consider community character as well as ecology and economics
• Two Regional Economic Development District’s CEDS plans
updated and completed for the 2012-2017 period
• Centralina CEDS incorporated in NC Tomorrow, a NC Department of
Commerce - 16 NC COG planning of statewide economic strategy
• Charlotte Regional Partnership Charlotte USA Strategic Marketing plan
update in Q1 2013 utilized PGC research and findings and consultant
team
• Project integral to launch of two Charlotte Global Competitiveness
Summits, August 2012 and February 2013, bringing 500+ business,
education and community leaders together to engage on Greater
Charlotte Region’s role in the global marketplace.
Collaboration to optimize information, maximize
efficiency and achieve competitive effectiveness!

10. www.prosperityforgreatercharlotte.com
www.connectourfuture.org
Jim Prosser,
CCOG Executive Director
704-348-2703
jprosser@centralina.org
www.centralina.org
Sushil Nepal,
CONNECT Project Manager
704-348-2703
snepal@centralina.org
Michael Manis, CEcD
CCOG Director of Community
and Economic Development
704-348-2720
mmanis@centralina.org