During the Fall of 2021, NCGrowth worked with UMO’s Regional Economic Development Taskforce to conduct a baseline assessment of economic and social conditions in the Mount Olive Region, and to identify potential economic development strategies to increase economic development and entrepreneurship. To inform these recommendations, NCGrowth analyzed demographic and economic data, conducted a retail/leakage analysis, stakeholder interviews, two focus groups, and created and disseminated a survey (the English version has been disseminated, the Spanish version will be soon). The report outlines these research findings and concludes with a set of recommendations for future planning and economic development.
The purpose of this project was to:

• Explore economic development strategies that would benefit the Mount Olive Region, particularly focusing on ways to increase entrepreneurship and support business development
• Analyze the feasibility of various economic development opportunities within entrepreneurship and small business development
• Analyze economic and social data, as well as findings from key stakeholder interviews, focus groups, and survey responses
• Provide a set of recommendations and next steps for the Taskforce to pursue

Economic Development Manager, Jessica Wilkinson, presented the report and findings to the UMO Regional Economic Development Taskforce in December and will present the findings to a larger group of stakeholders in mid-February. Stay tuned for more updates and the full version of the report on our website!

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