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Cherokee By Choice 2.0: A Launchpad for Big, Bold Action (2)

Cherokee Office of Economic Development (COED) recently announced the launch of Cherokee By Choice (CBC) 2.0 – a strategic plan that guides Cherokee’s economic development efforts forward over the next five years.

Much has been accomplished since the launch of Opportunity Cherokee in 2015 (the county’s first strategic plan for economic development) and the Cherokee By Choice Initiative in 2018 (COED’s first public-private partnership). These achievements include over $436 million in capital investment, the creation of more than 2,000 jobs, completion of Cherokee 75 Corporate Park, the Cherokee Workforce Collaborative, the Fresh Start Cherokee Program, The Circuit Woodstock (Cherokee’s first coworking space), the North Atlanta Venture Mentoring Service, Be Pro Be Proud Georgia, the Cherokee Film Summit, and the Forget the Commute Campaign.

Building upon this foundation, CBC 2.0 was developed in partnership with Boyette Strategic Advisors, an economic development and public policy consulting firm.

CBC 2.0 was based on hours of engagement with Cherokee leadership and nearly 3,500 online survey participants, including extensive data collection obtained through a series of discovery sessions, one-on-one interviews, and research. As a result, six high growth target sectors were identified:

• Advanced manufacturing with a focus on green and sustainable products and medical devices
• Headquarters, recruitment of both corporate and regional
• Technology, including cybersecurity and data centers
• Film and digital entertainment, including film production studios and video game programming/development
• Entrepreneurs/startups that specialize in technology and creative services
• Commercial developers that target Class A office space, mixed-use, and a hotel/conference center

The plan also features four strategic goal areas:
• Ensure that Cherokee has attractive and connected places, including the development of marketable sites and buildings, while enhancing livability assets.
• Build an educated and talented workforce to meet the needs of new and existing businesses.
• Cultivate innovating and enterprising business, which will result in a more diversified business culture that supports new and legacy manufacturers, corporate and regional headquarters, and technology companies.
• Retain a vibrant and inviting brand identity both internally and externally.

Identifying product for future industrial, office, and commercial development is crucial to the success of CBC 2.0, which will help diversify the tax base and drive down Cherokee’s out-commute. Even though the percentage has declined by 3% since the first strategic plan, 77% of Cherokee’s highly educated workforce still commute out of the county daily.

As part of the strategy’s next phase, COED will focus its efforts on keeping talent local through projects such as the Canton Corporate Park – a development that is expected to become another premier destination for companies looking to relocate. The park’s master plan includes two large pad sites with the ability to accommodate more than 150,000 square feet, as well as flex space sites fronting Highway 20.

Over the next five years and beyond, COED will continue partnering with the county and cities on infrastructure improvements and readying sites for sustainable, corporate growth. This collaboration will ensure that Cherokee remains a competitive, highly desirable location of choice.

To learn more or read a summary of the CBC 2.0 strategic plan, visit CherokeeGa.org.

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