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NC East Alliance outlines $15 million appropriation and site-identification support for rural counties
Summary
Donna Phillips of NC East Alliance described a state appropriation of $15 million for regional initiatives, offered a site-identification pilot and technical assistance for Gates County, and highlighted workforce and STEM partnerships to address brain drain and attract projects to Eastern North Carolina.
Donna Phillips, vice president of economic development for NC East Alliance, briefed the Gates County Board of Commissioners on the Alliance’s work across 29 counties and how a $15,000,000 state appropriation is being used to expand economic, community and workforce development programs.
Phillips described three primary program buckets—community development, economic development and workforce development (including STEM East)—and said the Alliance is building capacity in rural counties to pursue grants, perform feasibility studies and respond to state-level project requests. She explained a site-identification pilot in Currituck County that hired engineering firms (Timmons Group) to identify 10–12 developable sites by mapping utilities, access and infrastructure readiness and that the Alliance will convene national consultants to explain site-selection criteria to local officials.
Phillips also reviewed marketing and membership resources the Alliance provides, and offered Gates County access to research, hotel/retail studies and grant-writing help. Commissioners asked about funding sources, the nonrecurring nature of the February appropriation and opportunities for Gates County to participate in pilot site studies and workforce training events.
No formal board action was requested. Phillips encouraged the county to follow up with the Alliance for technical assistance and potential applications to state and private funding sources.
