Foothills Regional Commission is the lead organization designated by the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to facilitate economic development planning and assistance in Cleveland, McDowell, Polk, and Rutherford Counties and the municipalities located therein.
The key planning tool used in this effort is the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), and 2022 marked the time to update this five-year economic development plan for the region. According to the EDA, the CEDS is required for our region to maintain its status as an Economic Development District, which also unlocks access to key grants and other assistance.
The CEDS plan for 2023
FRC staff worked closely with the Western Piedmont Council of Governments and a CEDS Committee to develop a new CEDS for the foothills region. The final report was published in September 2023.
That full plan for 2023 is available here.
