Economic Development: The range of activities, policies, and programs of a state, a region, or a municipality used to create conditions that enable long-term economic growth.

Workforce Development: The range of activities, policies, and programs used to create, sustain and retain a viable workforce that can support current and future business and industry. This may include education and training, job matching and employer engagement .

What happens when these seemingly independent groups join forces? 

Another piece of the puzzle of community success and improved Quality of Life is put in place in which the public and private sectors collaborate to  empower workers with skills that incite regional growth. Economic Developers greatest asset  in project recruitment is a well trained workforce. Without workers, a Business can't grow. Without Business, workers can't thrive. 

Thanks to some of the partnerships highlighted below, our region continues to grow and is laying the groundwork for a bright future for those that choose to make the Tri-Cities home.

Northeast State prepares technical education complex to open in 2020
Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology contributes to the economic and community development of the communities served by training and retraining employed workers
Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology contributes to the economic and community development of the communities served by training and retraining employed workers


The Regional Center for Advanced Manufacturing is focused on advanced manufacturing training. The programs and services offered through RCAM are designed to develop the 21st-century workforce.


STREAMWORKS opens STEM Gym - This is helping our children be educated with the future in mind.

Speaking of STREAMWORKS...
They are not letting COVID-19 stop them from growing the next  generation. STREAMWORKS will host Virtual Summer Camps June 2020. 
.

Eastman volunteers help equip the next generation

It's here! The 2020 Economic Development Week is May 4-9, 2020.
Created by the International Economic Development Council in 2016, the goal of Economic Development Week (EDW) is to increase awareness for local programs that create jobs, advance career development opportunities and increase the quality of life in communities everywhere. Economic Development Week includes activities in communities large and small designed to highlight the importance of economic development and the good work that economic developers do every day.