Educational Development
To increase the research capacity and promise of UNCC, JCSU, Davidson, CPCC, JWU, and other colleges and universities in our region, we must integrate these efforts into our core economic development strategy.
A good education is the foundation of a good economy.
I owe so much of my success to my education – from elementary school all the way through CPCC and UNC Charlotte. As our educational offerings continue to thrive our city will thrive.
To increase the research capacity and promise of UNC Charlotte, JCSU, Davidson, CPCC, Johnson & Wales, Queens University of Charlotte, and other colleges and universities in our region, we must integrate these efforts into our core economic development strategy.
We frequently reference our local colleges and universities when recruiting companies to come, stay, or grow here. We must take this a step further by developing ways to deliberately involve these wonderful institutions, the great work they do, and the outstanding people who attend and work for them in the business recruitment process.
For instance, the Triangle area owes much of its success to UNC Chapel Hill, Duke, and NC State universities. Thanks in large part to the research and development funding these schools attract, they also lure some of the world’s best and brightest students – who in turn entice companies that are eager to hire them. This talent pool – referred to as the “creative class” – both draws investments and, bolsters local entrepreneurship in high growth industries.
While crafting our Center City 2020 plan, one of the key growth strategies we identified was the opportunity to develop an Applied Innovation Corridor between UNC Charlotte’s new uptown building and the main campus on the northeast side of the city.