Economic Development Services
Eastern Carolina Council works to assist our member governments as they seek to improve both the quality of life and the economy in our region’s communities. ECC helps to coordinate collaboration on locally-based, regionally-driven strategies and planning to leverage economic development underway in our member governments and partner organizations.
ECC Serves as the Economic Development District (EDD) for Our 9-County Region for US EDA
Eastern Carolina Council serves as the Economic Development District for the U.S. Economic Development Administration in the nine-county region. One of the functions that we carry out as part of that role is to create the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) for the region.
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) is a plan for regional economic development. It provides a strategic blueprint that defines the regional economic vision and coordinates efforts to achieve the vision. The plan addresses critical issues that impact the region and provides a foundation by which the public sector, working in conjunction with other economic actors (individuals, firms, industries), creates the environment for regional economic prosperity. The CEDS is a 5-year plan that emerges from a broad-based continuous planning process addressing the economic opportunities and constraints of a region.
The guidelines for developing a CEDS include effective general planning practices that can be used by any community to design and implement a plan to guide its economic growth. CEDS updates are completed periodically to reflect implementation and changes to the regional economy. The plan is developed by a CEDS committee, which is made up of a variety of stakeholders from across the region and includes members of ECC's General Membership Board, as well as public and private-sector representation.
ECC receives planning funds from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA) to support development and maintenance of the plan. Regions update their CEDS to qualify for EDA assistance under its Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs. These programs provide economically distressed communities and regions with comprehensive and flexible resources to address a wide variety of economic needs.
2023-2027 CEDS
Each year, ECC prepares an Annual Progress Report to identify the most important changes in the eastern NC economy and to assess the region’s progress toward CEDS goals. The 2024 Annuat Progress Report / Update is available at the link below:
2024 Annual Update to the 2023-2027 CEDS
As the Economic Development District (EDD), ECC can also assist communities and organizations in applying for EDA's Public Works and Economic Adjustment Assistance programs.
ECC Serves as the Local Development District (LDD) for Our 9-County Region for the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission
The Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC), online at https://scrc.gov/, is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and seven state governments. SCRC’s mission is the build sustainable communities and strengthen economic growth across the Southeast Region.
ECC is the designated Local Development District (LDD) representative for the Southeastern Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) and assists local governments apply for SCRC funds.
For more information about economic development, U.S. Economic Development Administration (US EDA), or Southeastern Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC), contact ECC Executive Director David Bone at 252-638-3185, ext. 3005.