As part of the Greenville City Council's continuing efforts to spur business investment and encourage job creation, the City has hired Creative Economic Development Consulting, Inc. (Creative EDC) to complete a city-wide targeted economic development assessment.

Creative EDC will use its expertise in competitive analysis to provide the City with a clear picture of its market position. This analysis will be used to more accurately target recruitment efforts for business and industry.

According to City of Greenville Economic Development Officer Carl Rees, the assessment process is an opportunity to build on Greenville's solid economic foundation. "Our city was recently named as a Top-30 Small-city Performer by the Milken Institute in the areas of job creation and economic growth; we believe the honor is well deserved," said Rees. "Our intention is to use the information gained through our economic development assessment to continue Greenville's steady growth in these areas". See Milken Institute report at http://bestcities.milkeninstitute.org/best-performing-cities-2012-small.html.

Creative EDC is a new North Carolina-based firm launched in 2012, specializing in unique, distinct economic development consulting. It serves economic development organizations across the southeastern United States. Creative EDC founder and CEO Crystal Morphis said her firm is "excited to be working with the City of Greenville because of their focus on creating a competitive advantage for business."

Work on the study will begin immediately with Creative EDC delivering a final report to the City Council in the spring.

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