Cherokee County's Economic Alliance

The Mission statement for the Alliance is to "provide a forum for local leaders to have on going dialogue linked to business, education, transportation, environment, jobs, and growth management issues. The mission of this forum is to develop an economic strategic plan for the community of Cherokee and ensure follow-through on the plan approved by the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners."

Our economic strategic plan will begin with a vision or direction, for the future that is widely shared by key business and industry stakeholders of Cherokee County. It will include a list of strengths and weakness, problems to be solved, weaknesses to be corrected, and opportunities to be pursued that are translated into specific goals and into actions to accomplish those goals.

The desired outcomes of the plan include:

• Strengthening partnerships with cities and local businesses.
• Support and create quality education and training opportunities to meet the skill needs of business and industries in the community.
• Create opportunities for entrepreneurial activities.
• Create a process to facilitate sustained and positive development.
• Create a strategic economic plan that is nationally competitive.
• Attract new quality business and industry to Cherokee.
• Ensure existing business and industries are supported by a local business friendly climate.
• Make a desirable quality of life for Cherokee residents a priority.

To assist us in this endeavor we have hired the consulting firm Market Street Services. Their business is healthy community growth with two broad goals:

1. Develop solid strategies that address current needs
2. Build the client capacity for change management on an ongoing basis.

As we go forward with this process, I will keep you informed.

J. Michael Byrd, Chairman
Board of Commissioners