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Creating Prosperity
A newsletter from the CREATE team:
NCGrowth-SmartUp, Create Prosperity Research Lab & Homegrown Tools
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Gates County is home to stunning assets like Merchants Mill State Pond and the Great Dismal Swamp. This summer, NCGrowth analyst, Josh Alfonso, has been working with Gates County to inform its first ever economic development plan. On July 21, Carolyn Fryberger, Jessica Wilkinson, and Josh Alfonso presented the project to the full board of county commissioners. This report will specifically focus on short and long-term strategies for sustainable and thoughtful growth in the County, with an emphasis on supporting the County’s 80+ existing small businesses, capitalizing on the County’s unique assets, and growing wealth in the County.
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In response to COVID-19, the Biden administration proposed a multi-trillion dollar “Build Back Better Plan,” which includes two signature policies: The American Rescue Plan and American Families Plan. Together, these plans cover a lot of territory—housing, education, healthcare, childcare, paid leave and more. The primary purpose of these policies is to help those hit hardest by the pandemic and its myriad follow-on effects.
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BatteryXChange is a startup, minority-owned company that makes charging mobile phones and devices on-the-go easy and convenient. Customers have the ability to rent portable chargers from kiosks, enabling them to continue using their device on the move.
The founders believe in not only empowering its users, but also the communities they serve. Their goal is to supply customers with the power they need while also educating youth about the science involved in battery technology through science and math school workshops.
NCGrowth supported BatteryXChange by conducting a market and competitor analysis and making business development recommendations. The market analysis served as a guide to navigate growth in existing markets and expansion into new markets. As the company continues to grow and maintain successful customers, this document will serve as a blueprint to ultimately replicate success in other markets.
Devon Johnston was the analyst supporting this project.
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In 2019 Kisha and Charles Kinard relocated from North Carolina after Hurricane Florence and moved onto 12 acres of land in Walterboro, SC to pursue their dream of preserving Kisha’s Gullah Geechee heritage of sweetgrass basket making and other crafts. SweetgrassRoots, a learning farm, focuses on cultivating sweetgrass and the preservation of traditional local folk art and currently grows sweetgrass, long leaf pine trees and palm trees.
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Grant Opportunity: EDA announces American Rescue Plan Programs | Economic Development Administration |
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SmartUp client Dwelling Management Solutions shares growth update and testimonial | Dwelling Management Solutions |
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War on ‘Big Tech’ isn’t just talk – this could help develop more ‘tech clusters,’ say UNC experts
| Maryann Feldman research in WRAL Techwire |
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