The North Carolina Department of Commerce, in partnership with Governor Josh Stein, has started the process to develop a new Comprehensive Strategic Economic Development Plan. The plan will guide the state’s economic development efforts through 2030 and is expected to be published in spring 2026.
“North Carolina has enjoyed a lot of success in recent years,” said Governor Josh Stein. “We want to keep the economy growing and make sure that Every North Carolinian – no matter where they live – has a fair shot at prosperity. That’s what this Steering Committee on North Carolina’s economic future is all about.”
The first meeting of the Steering Committee for the new plan took place on July 28. The committee brings together leaders from both public and private sectors to work on a roadmap for North Carolina’s economic future. This plan will update and replace the First in Talent Strategic Plan released in 2021, focusing on workforce needs, regional strengths, and key industries such as advanced manufacturing, life sciences, energy, aerospace, and food and beverage processing.
“North Carolina continues to be the top state for business, but lasting prosperity requires greater growth for all people in all regions of the state,” said Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “This new strategic plan will build on our momentum while aligning our people, policies, and places for widespread and resilient growth.”
To gather input from residents across the state, nine public listening sessions are planned for August and September 2025—one in each Prosperity Zone plus a statewide virtual webinar. These sessions will be organized with help from the University of North Carolina School of Government’s ncIMPACT Initiative.
“This process will be guided by the voices of North Carolinians — from rural communities to growing urban centers — and grounded in data that will show where we are and where we need to go,” said ncIMPACT Initiative Director Anita Brown-Graham. “We are committed to ensuring the voices heard are well-represented and every region has an opportunity to shape North Carolina’s economic future.”
The Department of Commerce’s Labor and Economic Analysis Division (LEAD) will provide economic analysis for these sessions to support data-driven decision-making throughout the planning process.
Secretary Lilley chairs the Steering Committee, which includes representatives from business, education, workforce development, local government, and nonprofit organizations. The committee will advise on outreach efforts during listening sessions; review data; identify themes; and provide guidance on policy recommendations.
State law G.S. 143B-434.01 requires this four-year strategic plan as a unified vision for statewide economic development. The final version is set for release in spring 2026 as a blueprint for action through 2030.
For more information about participation opportunities or details about the planning process visit: Strategic Plan webpage.
