City of Greensboro’s SC2 Challenge Yields Six Innovative Comprehensive Economic Development Plans

<p>The City of Greensboro made history becoming the first city in the United States to award $1 million in a prize challenge for economic development. Joining a select group of cities to administer a prize challenge in collaboration with the federal government (White House Council on Strong Cities, Strong Communities, Economic Development Administration), the “Gate City” announced the winner of the competition’s second phase August 17, 2015 Read more and watch the news conference video.</p> <p>A strategic economic development plan developed by a local team of educators and business professionals was awarded $500,000 for first place in phase two of the City of Greensboro’s Strong Cities, Strong Communities (SC2) Challenge prize competition. Their plan for a Global Opportunities Center was one of six to make the final round of consideration.</p> <p>The multidisciplinary winning team was the UNCG Office of Research and Economic Development, comprised of professionals from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, NC A&T State University, Guilford Technical Community College, Bennett College, the NC Small Business and Technology Development Center, and Boundless Impact. The team’s Global Opportunities Center, proposed for downtown Greensboro, would leverage the resources of local colleges and universities, corporations, and community partners by connecting and educating students and businesses in innovative ways that result in new global business and career opportunities.</p> <p>The award announcement officially concluded phase two of the economic catalyst challenge, which was part of the US Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) SC2 Visioning Challenge Grant the City received in 2012.</p> <p>The final outcome of the challenge was:</p> Second Place– $150,000 award – Gig G, submitted by Joel [...]