This presentation was delivered at NADO's 2018 Annual Training Conference, held in Charlotte, NC on October 13-16. For more information, visit: https://www.nado.org/events/2018-annual-training-conference/

1. NADO’s 2018 Annual Training Conference:
Better Outreach for Better Planning
Sarah Thompson
Executive Director of the Southwestern Commission

2. Our Region

5. The Region’s Assets

6. “Neighborism”

8. CEDS Steering Committee
• 7 Economic Development Directors
• 5 Education Representatives
• 4 Commission staff from different
departments
• 3 Private Sector
• 3 High School Students
• 2 Department of Transportation
• 2 Non-Profit Sector
• 1 State Partner
• 1 Elected Official
• 1 Town Manager

9. Aging Population
County Population Percentage of Population
over the Age of 60
Cherokee 27,444 36%
Clay 10,587 37%
Graham 8,861 30%
Haywood 59,036 32%
Jackson 40,271 25% (WCU)
Macon 33,392 35%
Swain 13,981 26%

10. Some Good News

11. Engaging the Next Generation
“It was relieving to see people discussing how to better our
communities treating each other with so much respect even when they
had a difference of opinion. I think the biggest challenges facing our
community in the next 5 years are the creation of jobs to help young
people in the area and access to more affordable housing”
Holly Miller
10th grader
Smoky Mountain High School

12. Ongoing Engagement