Screen Reader Mode Icon
The Eastern Carolina Council serves as the Economic Development District (EDD) for the U.S. Economic Development Administration (US EDA) in the nine-county region. One of the functions that we carry out as part of that role is to develop and manage the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region.

What is a CEDS? – Simply put, a CEDS is a strategy-driven plan for regional economic development. The following sections are required for the CEDS:
  • Summary Background
  • SWOT Analysis
  • Strategic Direction/Action Plan
  • Evaluation Framework
The development of the 2023-27 CEDS occurred in 2022 and is available online at ECC's 2023-27 CEDS.

The CEDS receives a major update every five years; additionally, an annual review is also required. This annual review/ update is due by December 1, 2025.

Priority areas in the 2023-27 CEDS for the ECC region include:
  1. Cultivate and champion regional collaboration and partnership
  2. Develop critical infrastructure to grow economic opportunities and support disaster resiliency
  3. Grow and support skilled workforce and enhance educational attainment
  4. Create healthy and connected communities and improve quality of life
REQUEST:

For the purposes of an annual update, you are asked to provide feedback on topics that influence the 2023-27 CEDS, as well as the four Priority Areas (listed above) in the plan.

Please complete this survey by November 4th. Presentation of a draft, annual CEDS update is planned for the ECC Board's November 13th meeting.

Thank you for your assistance!

Question Title

* 1. What is your name?

Question Title

* 2. What is the name of the organization / jurisdiction / business you represent?

Question Title

* 3. What is your email address?

Question Title

* 4. Please select all of the options that apply to you:

Question Title

* 5. In which counties do you primarily work (select all that apply):

Question Title

* 6. What do you feel are the biggest needs for industries to expand/develop? Choose up to three:

Question Title

* 7. What do you feel are the biggest items small businesses and entrepreneurs need to expand/develop? Choose up to three:

Question Title

* 8. Evaluate the effectiveness of the following categories of infrastructure throughout our region.

  Significant Advantage Somewhat of an Advantage Neutral  Somewhat of a Disadvantage Significant Disadvantage
Broadband
Water & Sewer
Housing
Public Transportation
Road/Highway System
Drive Time to Work
Railroad

Question Title

* 9. What are the biggest threats to economic resiliency in your community? (Choose up to three)

Question Title

* 10. How concerned are you about the following issues and their impact on our region’s economic prosperity and prospects for future growth?

  Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not concerned
Access to capital
Prospect of an economic downturn
Rising inequality (income, access)
Availability of skilled labor
Access to global markets
Quality of current infrastructure
Interregional competition for business recruitment
Supply chain disruption

Question Title

* 11. What factors will most significantly influence the region’s potential for economic growth? (Choose up to three)

Question Title

* 12. Investing in human capital ensures that our region is able to develop, retain, and attract talent to drive the local economy. This section seeks to understand the current state of the region's workforce.

  Strongly Agree Agree Neutral Disagree Strongly Disagree
My community has good quality K-12 schools
We have good quality secondary/higher education options in my community.
I know of many jobs available in my community.
The jobs available in my community are quality jobs.
A variety of job training and educational programs are offered to improve job skills.
Employers have access to a skilled labor force.
Our community is attractive to workers aged 25-44.
There is quality childcare available to the workforce.

Question Title

* 13. Successful economic development in the region means: (Choose up to three)

Question Title

* 14. What are the region’s top three competitive strengths?

Question Title

* 15. What are the region’s top three weaknesses?

Question Title

* 16. What is an emerging trend that should be highlighted in the annual CEDS update?

Question Title

* 17. Please rank the priority areas in ECC's 2023-27 CEDS:

Question Title

* 18. Is there another priority area you would suggest for ECC's CEDS annual update?

Question Title

* 19. Priority #1 in the 2023-27 CEDS is: Cultivate and champion regional collaboration and partnership. What strategy / approach would you suggest to advance this priority?

Question Title

* 20. Priority #2 in the 2023-27 CEDS is: Develop critical infrastructure to grow economic opportunities and support disaster resiliency. What strategy / approach would you suggest to advance this priority?

Question Title

* 21. Priority #3 in the 2023-27 CEDS is: Grow and support skilled workforce and enhance educational attainment. What strategy / approach would you suggest to advance this priority?

Question Title

* 22. Priority #4 in the 2023-27 CEDS is: Create healthy and connected communities and improve quality of life. What strategy / approach would you suggest to advance this priority?

Question Title

* 23. Would you like to volunteer for a Regional CEDS Committee (to meet 1-2 times per year), or do you have additional feedback and would you like to have a follow-up conversation about the CEDS update?

0 of 23 answered
 

T