Anyone familiar with the ins-and-outs of economic development – which is about as cutthroat business there is these days in the search for jobs – had to be taken aback by Tuesday’s announcement that the state’s three biggest economic development partnerships are teaming up for the collective good of the state. What’s going on?

Commerce Secretary Sharon Decker and the heads of the state’s largest economic development partnerships (Triangle, Piedmont, Charlotte) are joining forces. If this works and the state lands more jobs, the teamwork could form a new standard for the future.

If it doesn’t – well, it doesn’t seem as if much money is at stake. But these leaders are investing credibility in the game. They have a job to do in selling their members that working together makes everyone stronger.

To get a better handle on what’s happening here, WRALTechWire talked with Lawrence Bivins of Eversong Communications in the Triangle who has been retained to work with the three groups and Commerce. 

  • What’s the timeline in how this came about? Did Ms. Decker reach out to partnerships or vice versa as part of privatization of commerce efforts?

The seeds of this go back to the announcement last spring by MetLife that it would be bringing 2,600 jobs to North Carolina, divided between Charlotte and Cary. The project was evidence that the two communities, though very different, could both fit into the strategic expansion plans of a single company. 

The Charlotte Region and Research Triangle Region thus began to look at the possibility of cross-marketing. The Triad – being in the middle of the Charlotte and Research Triangle regions – also has economic assets that complement those of the other two.

Discussions between the three partnership presidents began in August.

They approached Sec. Decker earlier this month with the idea. She liked it.

  • Is there a joint budget for financial support and personnel resources needed for this effort? If not,who will pay the bills?

The four participants each fund their travel expenses for the NYC trip. The three partnerships will divide the cost of the meal. Partnership presidents and their staffs are sharing the leg work (and this is all in addition to — not instead of — the marketing activities all these organizations already do). I’m helping out with communications and coordination (with partnerships dividing my tab).

  • Has your firm been retained to coordinate public relations?

I’ve been engaged to provide coordination and internal communications support; the three partnerships are sharing those modest costs. Partnership officials are working with DCI (New York City-based PR firm) on arranging contact with national and global business media for the November trip.

  • Will the partnerships be coordinating with people in NY such as the person you quote in the release? Are these people being retained under contract to help coordinate and promote?

Partnership officials are inviting New York-based consultants with whom they’ve worked in the past. I’m sure Kent Holliday will be invited; don’t know if he can/will attend. None will be retained, contracted or paid. The only expectation is that they come prepared to listen, ask questions and share feedback.

  • What is the expected financial investment for this collective effort?

There are no dollar-amount recruitment objectives attached to this. At this point, reaching out to consultants face-to-face and helping them help their clients understand North Carolina’s economic assets is the goal. Also, partnership presidents hope outreach to NYC-based business publications encourages positive media attention.

  • The release says this is the first time the partnerships have coordinated – who says that?

It’s the first time in anyone’s memory that Charlotte, the Triangle and the Triad have organized a joint outreach mission. I’ve been writing about North Carolina economic development for 15 years, and I’ve never seen it.