Home Our Services News Contact Us About Us Community Development Grant Services Foreclosure Prevention Homebuyer Assist. Program CEDS 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. Navigate Services 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 CEDS Schedule 2017 - Updated February 1 - Meeting CEDS Agenda Feb. 1, 2017 Feb. 1, 2017 Presentation - CEDS Process & Regional Profile CEDS Condensed Demographics Presentation for Stakeholders Feb. 1, 2017 Meeting - Minutes April 5 - Meeting CEDS Agenda Apr. 5, 2017 Apr. 5, 2017 Presentation - CEDS Survey Results Apr. 5, 2017 Meeting - Minutes April 26 - Meeting CEDS Agenda Apr. 26, 2017 Apr. 26, 2017 Presentation - Workforce Development Initiatives Apr. 26, 2017 Presentation - Stakeholder Interviews Apr. 26, 2017 Meeting - Minutes May 3 - Meeting CEDS Agenda May 3, 2017 CEDS SWOT Analysis CEDS Regional Resiliency May 3, 2017 Meeting - Minutes May 31 - Meeting June 7 - Meeting CEDS Agenda May 31, 2017 CEDS Agenda June 7, 2017 CEDS Performance Measures June 7, 2017 Meeting - Minutes August 2 - Meeting CEDS Agenda August 2, 2017 September 26 - WPCOG Policy Board (CEDS Adoption) CEDS Presentation for WPCOG Policy Board 9-26-17 The Western Piedmont Council of Governments shall serve all local government members in Alexander, Burke, Caldwell and Catawba Counties with professional, cost-effective assistance on a variety of local, regional, state and federal issues and programs. Share your thoughts! Telephone: 828.322.9191 Fax: 828.322.5991 Email: jason.toney@wpcog.org Mailing: P.O. Box 9026 | Hickory, NC 28603 Location: 1880 2nd Avenue NW Hickory, NC 28601 Get social with us! Driving Directions In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, religion, sex, familial status, sexual orientation, and reprisal. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to: USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410 Washington, DC 20250-9410 Or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.