The North Carolina Department of Commerce has announced a series of public listening sessions beginning August 27, inviting residents from across the state to contribute ideas and feedback for the state’s next Comprehensive Strategic Economic Development Plan. The initiative aims to collect input from a wide range of stakeholders to guide economic strategies for the coming years.
Sessions will be held in each of North Carolina’s eight Prosperity Zones, with an additional virtual session scheduled. The University of North Carolina School of Government’s ncIMPACT Initiative will facilitate these meetings. The collected feedback will help a Steering Committee—made up of leaders from both public and private sectors—develop a plan focused on strengthening communities and growing the economy.
“North Carolina’s economic success is a product of strategic investments in our people, our places, and our partnerships, and these sessions will help us shape a plan that makes us more competitive and prosperous,” said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley, who also serves as chair of the steering committee. “We need the voices of people from around the state to help us build a plan that works for all regions of North Carolina.”
Residents, community members, local leaders, tribal governments, nonprofits, educators, healthcare professionals, and business representatives are encouraged to attend. Registration is free and available online at commerce.nc.gov/StrategicPlan.
The schedule includes stops in Durham (Aug. 27), Kernersville (Aug. 28), Charlotte (Sept. 8), Pembroke (Sept. 12), Sylva (Sept. 18), Lenoir (Sept. 19), Edenton (Sept. 23), Jacksonville (Sept. 24), and concludes with a virtual session on Sept. 30.
Anita Brown-Graham, director of the ncIMPACT Initiative at UNC School of Government, emphasized the importance of local participation: “North Carolina’s economic future is best shaped by those who live and work in our communities every day,” she said. “We want to hear their stories, ideas, and perspectives so the plan reflects the full range of opportunities and challenges across our state.”
In addition to public input, an economic analysis by the Commerce Department’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division will inform priorities for the new strategy.
The development plan is mandated every four years under G.S. 143B-434.01 to align government agencies, industry partners, educational institutions, and communities toward shared goals for statewide prosperity through 2030.
For more information or to register for one of the listening sessions visit https://commerce.nc.gov/StrategicPlan.
