One Region Global Competitiveness Strategy presented
May 9, 2016
NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – Following six months and over 1000 hours of best practices research, public input and analysis, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance presented to the community One Region: A Global Competitiveness Strategy. Nearly 300 business, government, academic and community leaders came together for the presentation and to engage in the strategy on Tuesday, May 3.
One Region will guide the region’s economic, workforce and community development efforts for the next five years, and will encourage collaboration on a broad spectrum of priorities to drive future growth and prosperity for the three-county metro. The strategic vision is to act as a unified region to be a globally competitive place where people and business flourish. One Region recommends strategic actions for all regional stakeholders that will positively impact our region’s long-term economic success.
The strategy is larger than a traditional economic development strategy in that it is more holistic and challenges the community to consider all aspects of the region. Taking a values-based approach allows people across socioeconomic groups and with a diversity of perspectives to share common values while having individual goals.
Four shared regional values form the One Region strategy:
- Our region values a strong, resilient economy.
- Our region values attainable opportunities for all residents to live, learn and earn.
- Our region values balancing growth with nurturing our unique character.
- Our region values being a connected community.
“One Region requires every business leader and community member to engage in our values and goals,” said Bryan Derreberry, Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “By working together as one, we can thrive as an inclusive global metro.”
Along with the shared regional values, the strategy highlights eight regional dynamics that contribute to global competitiveness: affordability, economic momentum, equality and equity, global fluency, infrastructure, innovation and entrepreneurship, quality of place and talent.
The strategy is being conducted in three phases. Phase One was a competitive assessment which showed that the region’s unemployment rate is at five-year low. It also indicated that the metro ranked last in housing affordability and second to last in infrastructure funding when compared with seven comparable markets. The assessment uncovered that the region relies heavily on imported talent. Phase Two consisted of high impact clusters and competencies validation, and Phase Three will be implementation.
“Through this strategy, we can improve upon our region’s challenges and strengthen our assets by aligning our efforts around these four shared values,” said David Ginn, Charleston Regional Development Alliance President and CEO. “I would like to thank One Region’s passionate sponsors, Wells Fargo, The InterTech Group, Santee Cooper and WestRock Land and Development for making this process possible.”
The Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce and the Charleston Regional Development Alliance are leading the strategic planning process which is being facilitated by Avalanche Consulting and McCallum Sweeney Consulting. For more information, visit oneregionstrategy.com.
About the Chamber: With 1,600 member organizations representing 125,000 professionals, the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce serves as the collective voice of the business community, and a catalyst for advancing the region’s economy and enhancing members’ success through Regional Advancement, Advocacy, Talent and Business Development Solutions. Visit charlestonchamber.net.
About the Charleston Regional Development Alliance: CRDA is a non-profit, 501(c)(6) public/private economic development partnership representing the three-county Charleston region. The organization serves as a catalyst for long-term regional prosperity by attracting the world’s best companies, talent and entrepreneurs. CRDA’s four strategic priorities are: 1) engaging top regional leaders in economic development; 2) marketing the region globally for business and talent; 3) facilitating the site selection process for companies considering our market for new investments; and 4) convening leaders around key economic competitiveness issues.
