CFED Releases the 2006 North Carolina Action Kit on transforming economic development policy and practice in the states

Author Bill Schweke has just finished a series of economic development reform essays for policymakers and advocates in North Carolina, which are relevant to other states as well:

(Right click and select "Save Target As..." to download pdfs.)

• “Transforming Economic Development in North Carolina: A Path to Greater Program Efficiency and Effectiveness” outlines an agenda for action aimed at reformers that wish to shift the balance of development dollars and energies away from incentives and recruitment toward supporting entrepreneurial initiative, existing business, quality public services, and lifelong learning. 
• “Just Say ‘No” aims to help legislators and the public to tell a good incentive-financed project from a bad one. 
• “Taking Stock of Economic Development” describes effective oversight roles that legislators can play in monitoring and reforming their state’s portfolio of development programs.
• “A New Kind of Incentive for Economically Struggling Communities” proposes a pair of more targeted subsidies, designed to help small, not big business, and hire the unemployed.
• “Can North Carolina’s Manufacturing Base Be Saved?” outlines the elements of a sort of “Manhattan Project”, a full multi-year campaign to modernize those firms and industries that have a chance to move into new market niches and raise productivity enough to survive and even flourish in today’s global marketplace. 
• “Realizing the Promise of Entrepreneurship in North Carolina” provides a framework and a series of action steps to foster a more entrepreneurial culture and a better business formation support system.
• "Selected Printed Resources for North Carolina and other Policymakers" provides addtional resources for those interested in learning more.

For those who wish to learn about other wise actions their state can take, visit CFED's 2005 NC Tool Kit, which treats in greater depth the strengths and weaknesses of business attraction programs and their incentives, development-enhancing tax reform and revenue base modernization, and an agenda for investing in people.