2026 First in Opportunity Strategic Economic Development Plan
North Carolina’s “First in Opportunity” Strategic Economic Development Plan is the state’s comprehensive four-year roadmap for strengthening economic competitiveness, expanding opportunity, and supporting long-term growth across North Carolina. Building on the success of the state’s “First in Talent” strategy, the plan takes a broader approach to economic development by recognizing that resilient infrastructure, workforce readiness, innovation, housing, and strong communities are all essential to sustained economic success.
Developed through extensive stakeholder engagement and collaboration with leaders from business, education, workforce development, local government, and nonprofit organizations, the plan outlines strategies to help ensure North Carolina’s growth is sustainable, resilient, and broadly shared. The framework is organized around four strategic goals: modernizing and fortifying infrastructure, accelerating economic competitiveness and innovation, enhancing community well-being, and building a resilient, future-ready workforce.
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