As we examine the field of economic development in the westernmost counties of North Carolina, we see three chronic and common problems in the areas of information, interaction and initiative.

Information is literally everywhere. Thanks to the Internet, it often seems as if we are drowning in a sea of data – and while data is plentiful, meaning is not. Context is often lacking and without comparison, content alone is useless. What is needed is a “one-stop shop” approach to economic data; a single site where one could find selected and screened content that could then be sorted and compared to other counties or regions to gain context and displayed graphically for overall ease-of-use. This concept we refer to as a dashboard where, just like in your car, a glance at a few key indicators tells you everything you need to know – quickly and efficiently.

Interaction like information before it, is another situation in which we are perhaps getting too much of a good thing. By interaction, we mean all the federal, state and local institutions that exist to assist counties in the process of economic development. We have reached a point where it is impossible to know all the players in the game; where there is no one place to go for a comprehensive overview of all the services currently available. Again, what is needed is a one-stop shop where economic developers can find a complete listing of all the agencies and organizations that may be of use to them in their work. We would take this one step further and create a network that would not just impart information, but allow for interaction amongst all these participants.

Finally, we come to initiative and by this we mean that with only a handful of media outlets covering our vast region, every day successful initiatives go unheard and unsung by all except the few who were directly involved. There currently exists no reliable medium for communicating successful and important initiatives in the field of economic development. If such communication does occur, it occurs verbally and infrequently. What is required is a website, a sort of “Regional CNN” that would contain professionally-crafted profiles, in both audio and video formats that tell these success stories; that share these best practices and that encourage improved communication and collaboration in these westernmost counties.

This then is the mission of the WNC Pulse: to provide access to a comprehensive economic indicator dashboard at both the regional and county level; to create a network where all the economic development practitioners can interact with one another and then to use our rich media skills to post profiles of individual successes and share best practices.

Through better information, improved interaction and shared initiatives – we believe better decisions will be made, resulting in a better life for all.