The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) process is a locally-based, regionally-driven economic development planning process. Economic development planning, as implemented through the CEDS, serves as a means to engage community leaders, leverage the involvement of the private sector, and establish a strategic blueprint for regional collaboration. Simply put, a CEDS is a strategy-driven plan for regional economic development. It can be a key component in establishing and maintaining a strong regional economy by helping to build economic capacity that contributes to individual, business and community success.

The CEDS provides a vehicle for individuals, organizations, local governments, institutes of learning and private industry to engage in a meaningful conversation and debate about what capacity building efforts would best serve economic development in the region.

The CEDS was developed through efforts of a committee appointed on November 22, 2016 by the WPCOG Policy Board. The WPCOG revisits the CEDS every five-years as required of all U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) designated Economic Development Districts (EDD). The CEDS Committee met numerous times in 2017 using extensive public input and stakeholder guidance to develop the new CEDS. On September 26th, 2017, the WPCOG Policy Board unanimously adopted the 2017 CEDS as recommended by the CEDS Committee. Below you will find the adopted CEDS. Work to implement the CEDS is already underway and regular status updates are anticipated to maintain momentum around the 25 strategies endorsed by the plan.

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Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS)

Adopted 2017 CEDS

Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS)
2015 Performance Report

Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy (CEDS)
Hickory Metro Region

Adopted - August 30, 2012

2012 CEDS &
2015 Performance Report

CEDS 2019 Updates

• CEDS Ammendments

• CEDS Accomplishments (Updated)

• Benchmark Performance Measures Spreadsheet

• Economic Opportunity Zones
   

• Appendix A - Regional Profile

• Appendix B - Process

• Appendix C - Survey Results

• Appendix D - Survey Results (Open Responses)

• Appendix E - Stakeholder Interviews

• Appendix F - SWOT Analysis

• Appendix G - Regional Resiliency Analysis

• Appendix H - Benchmark Performance Measures

• Appendix I - Committee Meeting Minutes

September 26 - WPCOG Policy Board (CEDS Adoption)

CEDS Presentation for WPCOG Policy Board 9-26-17