Centralina Economic Development District
Union County
Cabbarus County
Gaston County
Mecklenburg County
Lincoln County
Iredell County
Rowan County
Stanly County
Anson County
The CEDD serves a region of 9 counties, including Anson, Cabarrus, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Rowan, Stanly and Union.
Organization
Our mission is to increase the prosperity and job creation of greater Charlotte by serving the local institutions in our region that serve the needs of businesses, workers, and students.
The Centralina Economic Development Commission (CEDC) was established by Centralina Council of Governments in 2004. In 2005, the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration (EDA) certified the CEDC as the Centralina Economic Development District (CEDD). The CEDD promotes a diversified and innovative regional economic base, advocates sustainable growth, and supports jobs development through expansion, retention, and recruitment of business and industry.
Areas of Focus
The CEDD aids in coordinating economic development efforts in the Charlotte region. The CEDD is responsible for administering EDA funding for economic development projects across the region, developing and maintaining the region’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), and consolidating economic development resources to empower our partner institutions in their mission to grow the region.
To accomplish these tasks, the CEDD focuses on four core areas, as laid out in the 2017-2022 Prosperity for Greater Charlotte Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
Learn About Our Goals and Progress
History
- No Boundaries CEDS adopted
- CEDC founded & approved by the nine county governments
- CEDD facilitates EDA UNC Charlotte Optoelectronics grant project
- Advanced Manufacturing Phase I Reports are released
- No Boundaries CEDS five-year update
- Advanced Manufacturing Phase II & County Reports are released
- CEDD facilitates the David Belk Cannon Health Education Institute EDA grant project for Gaston College
- CEDC administers Huntersville overpass EDA grant project
- EDA-funded Automotive Supply Chain Reports are released
- Logistics Alliance of the Carolinas launched with EDA support
- CEDC administers Lincoln County sewer EDA grant project
- Minds that Manufacture website launched with EDA support
- Facilitates EDA grant for advanced skills center at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
- Connect Our Future HUD Sustainable Communities 2040 plan stimulates regional collaboration with 2012 CEDS integrated as economic foundation
- Prosperity for Greater Charlotte CEDS five year update adopted
- CEDC releases NC Tomorrow statewide collaboration development strategy
- Facilitates EDA grant for advanced manufacturing center at Gaston Community College
- NADO Innovation Award for Prosperity for Greater Charlotte/CONNECT Our Future
- Centralina Career Headlight web portal launched
- CEDD facilitates EDA grant for Advanced Manufacturing Center at Stanly Community College
- White House Roundtable - Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP)
- New website updated, organization publicly rebranded as Centralina Economic Development District
Board of Directors
Board directors are recommended by regional member governments. The board is made up of at least 25 individuals representing the region’s nine counties, two dues-paying municipalities, economic development organizations, and select private-sector industries.
Treasurer/Secretary
Frank Aikmus
Union County Commissioner
Miles Atkins
Town of Mooresville, Mayor
Cliff Brumfield
Lincoln County EDA, Executive Director
Antony Burton
Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, VP of Research
Joe Carpenter
Gaston County
Astrid Chirinos
Simmons YMCA, Executive Director
Rod Crider
Rowan County EDC, Executive Director
Mike Downs
Cabarrus County Manager
Greg Edds
Rowan County Commissioner
Susan Harden
Mecklenburg County Commissioner
Donny Hicks
Gaston County EDC Executive Director
Mary Hoglund
Conterra Networks
Bob Hovis
Gaston County Commissioner
Alan Kathman
FLIR Optical Components Charlotte Site Manager
Andy Lucas
Stanly County Manager
LaWana Mayfield
Charlotte City Council
Melanie Underwood
Economic Development Partnership of NC
Mark Seifel
Centralina Workforce Board
Edwin Shimpock
Seven Oaks Doors & Hardware
Jarvis Woodburn
Anson County Commissioner
Partners
CEDD supports and empowers local government jurisdictions and economic development entities across the greater Charlotte region’s Centralina Economic Development District (EDD).
CEDD Board Member Governments
Other Partners
CEDD Economic Development Partners
- Anson County Economic Development Partnership
- Cabarrus Economic Development Commission
- Gaston County Economic Development Commision
- Iredell County Economic Development Commission
- Lake Norman Economic Development Commission
- Lincoln Economic Development Association
- Monroe-Union County Economic Development Commission
- Rowan Economic Development Commission
- Stanly County Economic Development Commission
- Charlotte Regional Business Alliance
- NC Economic Development Partnership - Southwest Region