The Kenan Institute has partnered with Bertie County to create an economic development strategic plan. Through this multifaceted, multi-year partnership, the Kenan Institute will work with the county leaders and community members to assess the needs of the county. Kenan Institute Economic Development Analyst and North Carolina Central University MBA student, Stephanie Smith, conducted phone calls, deployed surveys, and engaged in face-to-face conversations in the community over the summer.
In order to garner local support for the project, the Kenan Institute implemented a three month campaign entitled “Where’s Bertie Going to be in 2020?” and hosted a series of events strategically placed throughout the county to assess the shared vision that the people of Bertie County have for their community. Aside from meeting with the Chamber of Commerce, mayors, commissioners, and town officials, the Kenan Institute conducted three adult meetings and one youth meeting open to the public.
The well-attended events were advertised throughout the community through press releases, flyers, radio interviews, and public service announcements. Additionally, the Kenan Institute reached out to local area churches, community outreach programs, schools, and town leaders.
Stephanie Smith, along with UNC City and Regional Planning graduate student Eric Breit, are continuing to work on the project this fall. Collecting and analysis of demographic and business data; reviewing past projects and plans; and outlining the draft plan with county leaders and community members have begun. We are partnered with faculty in the School of Government and UNC Department of City and Regional Planning and plan to have a first draft by early spring.