KANNAPOLIS, NORTH CAROLINA
Education and Workforce Development Plan
Like many regions, the heart of North Carolina has suffered significantly over the past decade as once-reliable manufacturing jobs disappeared. Cabarrus and Rowan counties lost 4,300 jobs when the Kannapolis-based textile manufacturer Pillowtex Corporation closed in July 2003. Two years later, California billionaire David Murdock announced plans for the North Carolina Research Campus (NCRC) at the 350-acre former Pillowtex site. The life sciences hub leverages the participation of Duke University, the University of North Carolina, North Carolina State University, the Cabarrus and Rowan Chambers of Commerce, and other key educational institutions and business partners. Total investment is expected to reach $1.8 billion and is one of the largest redevelopment projects in state history. Market Street’s engagement with the community is indicative of our firm’s holistic approach to economic development. Through each process, Market Street worked closely with the Cabarrus Regional Chamber of Commerce and the City of Kannapolis.
Market Street’s initial work included a comprehensive Economic Impact Analysis to determine potential population and employment impacts of the NCRC and its affiliated developments. Next came a comprehensive SWOT Analysis of the business climate competitiveness of the City and its home region of Charlotte, particularly related to biotechnology and the demands and opportunities of the NCRC. The Analysis identified areas in need of attention, including entrepreneur and small business development, education and workforce development, quality of life, and growth management.
Market Street then worked with the chambers of commerce in Cabarrus and Rowan counties to develop a Small Business and Entrepreneurial Development Action Plan. The process included an evaluation of the community’s ability to support entrepreneurs and an analysis of service gaps. The Action Plan recommended fostering a culture of entrepreneurship, improving communication and coordination among existing resource providers, and developing new or enhanced services to meet the needs of current and future entrepreneurs.
The process continued with an Education and Workforce Development Action Plan. This phase included an assessment of the community’s three school districts, higher education institutions, workforce development agencies, business needs, NCRC needs, and the existing workforce in both counties. The Action Plan recommended increasing the educational attainment of residents, the quality of Pre-K-12 education, and connecting learning to work opportunities.
Leaders have recognized that transforming a mill town into a center for research and educational excellence is not an easy task but they are making significant progress. In 2009, the City of Kannapolis received the U.S. Department of Commerce’s annual Excellence in Economic Development Award for Excellence in Economic Diversification Strategies.