Economic development consultant says ‘damage is cascading’ in NC

Erik Spanberg

Charlotte Business Journal

Mac Holladay understands economic development in the South and the Southeast as well as anyone. Starting in 1972, Holladay has led recruiting in three states – Mississippi, South Carolina and Georgia – after earlier stints with chambers of commerce in Memphis and Charleston.

He founded consultant Market Street Services in 1997 and remains its CEO. The Atlanta-based firm works with cities and regions to foster growth, improve worker training and recruit companies and industries.

Throughout his career, Holladay has competed with and done business in North Carolina, where he returned last week. Holladay was in Chapel Hill to speak at the basic economic development course held at the UNC School of Government.

[. . .]

As part of his presentation, Holladay discussed House Bill 2, the state law passed in March to override a Charlotte ordinance that would have allowed public restroom use in government buildings based on gender identity while also mandating non-discrimination protection for gay and transgender people. Holladay believes HB2 is hurting North Carolina – and likely to cause more damage unless it is significantly changed or repealed.

Please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

Phillips: Austin chamber effort focuses on helping businesses, people

Alberta Phillips
Austin American-Statesman


Sometimes we think of chambers of commerce as cheerleaders for business and industry with narrowly focused interests that aim to expand the profits and economic vitality of companies they represent.

If that is true for some chambers, it’s certainly not the sum and total of the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce. Like many other chambers, it does promote and lobby for policies and practices aimed at helping businesses in Austin and the region flourish, be that publicly financed incentives or regulatory reform. But the Austin chamber’s reach is broader, touching on such things as reducing Austin’s poverty rate, increasing the number of students going to college and addressing the city’s mobility challenges.

It’s an approach that recognizes the connection between education, jobs and poverty.

One can argue about whether that focus is driven by a social or economic agenda. Either way, the chamber’s initiative, called Opportunity Austin, is doing positive things that benefit businesses as well as families. And while it’s been around for about 12 years, Opportunity Austin is not widely known outside of elite corporate and educational circles.

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

City, county economic groups eye merge

Conor Griffith
The Dominion Post

Several Monongalia County business and nonprofit organizations are considering the possibility of forming a common coalition.

The Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce and Your Community Foundation (YCF) recently received of a $75,000 grant from the Pittsburgh-based Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to study the feasibility of merging the county’s economic development activities under a single umbrella organization.

“It’s something those of us who have been involved in these various organizations for the common goal of economic development have seen a need for,” said Kelly Kimble, chair of the Chamber’s board of directors.

The chamber and its partners have engaged Atlanta-based Market Street Services to conduct the feasibility study using the grant money.

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

Spartanburg leaders search for “entrepreneurial ecosystem”

Trevor Anderson
Upstate Business Journal


Spartanburg County’s business landscape is dotted with high-profile projects.

Companies like BMW, Milliken, Michelin, Adidas, Toray, Rite Aid, Amazon and others have pumped billions of dollars of investment into the county and created thousands of jobs.

Spartanburg’s small business sector, however, has not fared so well.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of small ventures, or businesses with one to four employees, decreased almost 10 percent in the county between 2008 and 2013.

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

Morgantown Chamber of Commerce Receives Benedum Foundation Grant

West Virginia Executive


The Morgantown Area Chamber of Commerce and Your Community Foundation, Inc. jointly announced today receipt of a $75,000 grant from the Claude Worthington Benedum Foundation to examine the feasibility of merging economic development activities in Monongalia County under a single umbrella organization.

[. . .] Following a competitive search, the Chamber, along with its partners, has engaged Market Street Services, a nationally-recognized firm based in Atlanta, Georgia that specializes in community economic development research. Founded in 1997, Market Street is a trusted partner in facilitating community, workforce, and economic development strategies, helping communities proactively shape their own future. Market Street was also the consultant throughout the development of the Charleston Area Alliance in Kanawha County.

Kimble indicated that the feasibility study will begin during summer 2016 with the final report available by the end of 2016.


To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

On Vision. One Spartanburg Initiative Moves Forward

Charleston Regional Business Journal

Members of the Spartanburg community received an update on a plan geared at enhancing the area’s economic competitiveness.

As part of the One Vision. One Spartanburg initiative, Atlanta-based Market Street Services delivered its community assessment at a meeting June 14. Market Street Services is a consulting firm that has done similar studies in Austin, Texas, and Nashville, Tenn., according to a statement detailing the presentation.

The firm has already conducted four of the six steps in the evaluation process: Stakeholder input, target business analysis, community assessment and a community marketing review. According to the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce, the process began in February and the research garnered more than 3,100 resident responses.

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.

Report highlights strengths, weaknesses in Spartanburg

Bob Montgomery
GoUpstate.com

Spartanburg is looking at ways to address economic imbalances in the community to improve the quality of life for all residents.

It's part of a nine-month-long project designed to make "Spartanburg County a more successful and prosperous place."

“Bold actions are required to secure the community's desired future,” according to Atlanta-based Market Street Services, a consulting firm hired by the Spartanburg Area Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber launched the Spartanburg Vision Plan in February and this week the project reached its halfway point.

To read the full article click here. If it has been removed, please email Alexia Eanes for a copy of the entire article.