Partnership Development

Davidson preserves its small town character in the face of development pressure from nearby Charlotte.

Achieving Economic Development through Mission-Oriented Real Estate Development

Leadership in Gaston County noticed that reports of child abuse significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The assistant county manager gathered community stakeholders to address process improvements for reporting to ensure the wellbeing of children and families.

Severe economic decline leads civic leaders from two small communities in the Mississippi Delta to set aside historic rivalries and work together to save their towns. This story is about an inclusive community-wide planning and implementation process to bridge economic development, housing, education, leadership development and health care.

Oakland demonstrates that the arrival of Wal-Mart need not be a death knell for small, local businesses. Through the Main Street Program, Oakland works with existing business owners to prepare for the arrival of Wal-Mart.

Located 30 miles north of the booming Research Triangle Park, Oxford is partnering with Granville County and its neighbors to implement a “mini-hub” approach to economic development. The strategy is to prepare relatively low-cost industrial sites that are attractive to companies that need to be near the Research Triangle, but not in it.

A small yet strong manufacturing community grows through diverse industry recruitment, strategic partnerships, and intentional leadership in Lee County, NC.

Wadesboro partnered with a regional community college to convert an abandoned textile mill complex into a tremendous economic asset. The Lockhart-Taylor Center includes space for a business incubator, entrepreneurship training, and public meeting space.

The Center for Advanced Hindsight (CAH) at Duke University partnered with the NC State College of Design, Cabarrus County, Catawba County, Gaston County, Haywood County, and Union County to use insights from behavioral science and design to improve community response to COVID-19.