Economic Development
Overview
The economic development team at RPCGB helps member governments expand their capacity to create jobs, retain and attract a strong workforce, recruit business and industry, support existing business and industry, and ensure long-term economic vitality for the region.
We assist in securing data and resources - including grant funding - to support projects that advance local economic priorities. Our goal is to equip and empower mayors, commissioners, city and county managers, economic development personnel, and other leaders in our region to execute projects and initiatives that encourage economic growth and enhance quality of life for residents.
Two federal designations guide our work with communities:
RPCGB is the designated Local Development District (LDD) for the region through the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC).
RPCGB is the designated Economic Development District (EDD) through the Economic Development Administration (EDA), for our six-county region.
As the development district for ARC and EDA, the Economic Development department monitors and reports on economic conditions of the region, conducts specialized studies, and coordinates programs of the EDA and ARC.
The Economic Development Department provides the following services to our member governments:
Project planning, grant proposal development assistance, and grant management services.
Economic impact analyses through IMPLAN software
Economic data reports for local governments, business, industry and organizations
Development of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region; This document is a guidebook for economic development strategies in the region
Specialized studies or surveys, including feasibility studies and market analyses
department contact:
Allie Haynes, Economic Development Specialist
Email: ahaynes@rpcgb.org