2013
MECKLENBURG COUNTY Economic Development Annual Report (January – December)
Content Na onal & State Context P.2 Major Announcements P.2 Business Investment Grants P.4 Department Informa on P.5 Events & A rac ons P.6
OUR SERVICES
Mecklenburg County’s Economic Development
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS CENTER CITY PARTNERS CENTRAL PIEDMONT COMMUNITY COLLEGE CHARLOTTE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
efforts consist primarily of the following:
CHARLOTTE REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP
CHARLOTTE REGIONAL VISITORS AUTHORITY
Managing the Business Investment Program
CITY OF CHARLOTTE
Leveraging public‐private partnerships to advance economic development projects
LAKE NORMAN REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE TOWN OF CORNELIUS
TOWN OF DAVIDSON
Suppor ng and opera ng the Minority, Women ‘s
TOWN OF HUNTERSVILLE
and Small Business Enterprise (MWSBE) Program
TOWN OF MATTHEWS TOWN OF MINT HILL
Suppor ng a rigorous Park and Recrea on Department that contributes to economic growth
M ec k l en b u r g C ou n ty 6 0 0 Eas t 4th S t r e e t , C ha r lo e NC T 70 4‐ 3 3 6‐2 4 7 2 F 7 0 4‐3 3 6‐ 5 8 8 7 W e b s i t e : ww w . M ec k l enb u r gCo un t yNC . gov
8
TOWN OF PINEVILLE VISIT LAKE NORMAN UNIVERSITY CENTER PARTNERS
MECKLENBURG BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS T r e v o r M . Fuller (D): A t La rge, C ha i r ma n D u m on t C l a rk e (D), D i s t r ic t 4 , V i c e C ha i r ma n P a t Co tha m (D): A t L a r g e K i m M. Ra t liff (D): A t L arge K a r e n Ben t ley (R), D i s t r i ct 1 V i l m a L e a k e (D), D i s t r i c t 2 George D u n la p (D), D i s t r ic t 3 M a h ew R i den h ou r (R), D i s t r i c t 5 Bill J a m es (R), D i s t r i c t 6
LETTER FROM THE CHAIRMAN During the last four years, Mecklenburg County has faced many economic challenges from the con nuing effects of the financial downturn. In response to the condi ons that our community and na on were forced to confront, the Board of County Commissioners launched Mecklenburg County on a mul ‐year strategic path of redefining the County to be consistent with the post recession economic reali es. While the task was hard and our vigil du ful, we are ever mindful of our vision to be a community of pride and choice for people to LIVE, WORK and RECREATE. I am pleased to say that Mecklenburg County weathered the storm and is beginning to see economic condi ons return to pre‐recession levels. Mecklenburg County will con nue to do our part to support our growing and resilient economy and provide residents every opportunity to understand how the County assists the greater effort. This inaugural report is designed to provide a summary of ac ons taken during the 2013 calendar year to advance economic development in the County. Highlights of the report focus on county‐funded ac vi es that promote a vibrant and diverse economy by a rac ng new businesses, suppor ng exis ng businesses and promo ng tourism. The Board’s broad economic goals include:
An unemployment rate of 5% or lower Increased employment across different types of jobs and workers Growth in the value of commercial and business property Mecklenburg County strives to be the best local government provider. I sincerely hope that information contained in this report will be informative and establish baseline information from which to measure future success.