North Carolina Economic Development Association

Join us in giving a warm welcome to Aric Geda, Principal Engineer for Solid Ground Engineering NC, PLLC! We're thrilled to feature him in this week's Member Spotlight. Read more about him in our E-News that just hit your inbox! #NCEDA #EconomicDevelopment

Have you followed our new NCEDA Foundation LinkedIn page yet? Stay connected and follow along for the latest updates! #NCEDAFoundation #EconomicDevelopment

Join us for NCEDA’s 2025 Legislative Day Breakfast! Engage with state leaders and fellow economic development professionals on March 26 in Raleigh to discuss the policies shaping North Carolina’s future. This year, our Legislative Priorities focus on: ? Strengthening workforce development ? Enhancing site readiness ? Boosting economic competitiveness To ensure our legislators are personally invited, NCEDA staff members Torsha Eubanks and Blair Kennedy visited the North Carolina General Assembly today to hand-deliver invitations. Their commitment reflects the importance of having our leaders at the table for these critical conversations. Make sure to invite your legislators to join us as well because your outreach can make a difference in fostering stronger connections and advancing key initiatives for your communities. Register today: https://lnkd.in/e4pBeqSC #ncga #nceda #economicdevelopment

Join us on March 13 from 10 - 11 am for a webinar featuring Caitlin Green, Senior Account Executive with the Placer Civic Team. Learn how mobile location data is transforming economic development and empowering communities to make smarter, data-driven decisions. Placer’s advanced analytics platform delivers real-time market intelligence for retail recruitment, gap analysis, business attraction, workforce insights, and optimizing community services. Caitlin will share real-world examples tailored to participating communities. Do you have a specific area or project in mind? Email Liz Dobbins-Smith at [email protected] to have it featured during the discussion. Don’t miss this opportunity to explore how mobile data can enhance your community’s economic development strategy. Complimentary for NCEDA members and $25 for non-members. Learn more and register here: https://lnkd.in/et4hwCX5

A huge thank you to the site selection consultants who joined us for NCEDA’s 2025 Site Selectors Summit & Spring Conference earlier this week! Your insights and expertise are invaluable as we continue working to grow North Carolina’s economy and attract new investment to our state. We appreciate your time, engagement, and the great conversations that took place! Special thanks to: Alex Baker, Maxis Advisors Joseph Beasley, MPA, McGuireWoods Consulting Lauren Berry, Maxis Advisors Ken Biberaj, Savills Chris Copenhaver, Cushman & Wakefield Meghan DiGiacomo, VisionFirst Advisors Dewey Evans, Site Selection Group Jacob Everett, CEcD, Corsa Strategies Jennifer Fletcher, Deloitte Consulting Amy Gerber, Cushman & Wakefield Sven Gerzer, Parker Poe Consulting Caitlin Glenn, KE Andrews Chris Hemans, Savills David Hickey, Hickey & Associates Benedikt Ibing, Pegasus Group Dianne Jones, JLL Samir N. Kapadia, Vogel Group John Ling, LinVest Chris Lloyd, McGuireWoods Consulting Matt Lowell, Ryan LLC David MacNamara, Womble Bond Dickinson Bradley Migdal, Cushman & Wakefield Jerry Moore, Rv3 Solutions Sam Moses, Parker Poe Steven Pearce, McGuireWoods Consulting Charles Sexton, Strategic Location Advisors Kyle Syers, BLS & Co. Bob Westover Parker Wyatt, Global Location Strategies Your partnership helps shape the future of economic development in North Carolina, and we look forward to working together again soon!

I may be a little late in sharing, but attending the NCEDA 2025 Site Selector Summit in Pinehurst, NC, was truly a privilege. I’m grateful for the opportunity to hear from industry experts, reconnect with colleagues and friends, and meet new professionals in the field. I am especially honored to have been awarded the NC Economic Development Academy Scholarship from the NCEDA Foundation —an incredible opportunity for continued learning and growth. A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this conference the success that it continues to be!

Always a fabulous time with the North Carolina Economic Development Association at Spring Conference and Site Selectors Summit. Scroll to see Joe Melvin, CEcD screaming “these boots are made for walkin’” while moderating a Panel of Site Selectors on “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly”. This specific panel will be helpful when crafting material for site selectors. Other highlights include hearing from new NC Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley and NC Governor Joshua Stein. Governor Stein says “no state will outwork North Carolina” in creating a stronger workforce, with a goal of increasing the number of apprentices over the next four years by 100%. All I know is we are one heck of a state (which is already hard to beat), but left feeling inspired, motivated and ready to get to work in NC.

The North Carolina Economic Development Association's 2025 Site Selectors Summit and Spring Conference provided an excellent opportunity for EDR staff—Mark Pope, Trey Cash, and Julie Graham—to network and learn about the latest trends in economic development from leaders across the state. Notable speakers at the event included NC Governor Josh Stein, Christopher Chung, executive director of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina (EDPNC), Lee Lilley, Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Commerce, and Joe Melvin, CEcD Melvin, Vice President of North Carolina's Southeast. Key topics discussed at the conference included the importance of maintaining North Carolina’s competitive edge in economic development, workforce preparedness, and investment in site readiness, infrastructure, and job creation in rural communities. EDR staff took this opportunity to share the benefits of the EDR region with the twenty-nine top-tier site selector consultants who attended from across the United States. This engagement allowed them to discuss current initiatives and learn more about various sites throughout the state. Additionally, EDR was a Silver Sponsor for the event and proudly sponsored the Monday Golf Outing on the beautiful Pinehurst Resort greens, which served as a valuable networking opportunity. ,, Thank you, NCEDA, for an incredible event where we could connect with leaders and colleagues who make economic development happen! #NCEDA #EconomicDevelopment

Join us for NCEDA’s 2025 Legislative Day Breakfast on March 26 in Raleigh to engage with state leaders and economic development professionals on key policies shaping North Carolina’s future. This year, our 2025 Legislative Priorities focus on strengthening workforce development, site readiness, and economic competitiveness. Your voice is critical in shaping North Carolina’s economic landscape. Don’t miss this opportunity to connect, advocate, and make an impact. Register here: https://lnkd.in/e4pBeqSC

I was spotted in your neighborhood spreading the word about the upcoming North Carolina Economic Development Association’s 2025 Legislative Breakfast on March 26 in Raleigh. Registration is now open! You can register here: https://lnkd.in/eGktvn23 Natalie Dean Hawkins, PMP Brittany Jones Brady Gary Lanier, Ed.D. Liz Dobbins-Smith Brandie Mae Grubb Torsha Eubanks Andre Lennon, PE