Know Your Region: A Template for Future Prosperity
The funding for this project was awarded by the Economic Development Administration, a division of the Department of Commerce.  The purpose of this project is development of a curriculum for national use with economic and workforce development practitioners to teach about the concepts of clustering and regionalism and assist the practitioners with plans to implement this new knowledge into their regional development strategies.
Impact:  This project has national impact among economic and workforce developers as well as the communities they serve.  To date, this curriculum, and the associated Internet-based resources have been disseminated to several thousand development practitioners.

Smoky Mountain Host Highway 19 Corridor Study
Multi-phased project designed to gauge the economic impact of attractions along Highway 19 as follows:

• Phase I:     Nantahala River Gorge and Great Smoky Mountain Railroad
• Phase II:   Museum of the Cherokee Indian, Unto These Hills Drama, Oconaluftee Indian Village
• Phase III:   Ghost Town in the Sky
• Phase IV:   Comprehensive economic impact of all six tourist  attractions along Highway 19 Corridor

Impact: This project will directly impact businesses, policy makers, business owners, and to a lesser extent, the general public within Jackson, Swain and Macon counties in North Carolina.  The long-term impact of this project is certainly regional in scope, even impacting areas that fall outside of North Carolina state lines.

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Survey
This project is a study conducted for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners to develop, distribute, collect, analyze and report findings of a political issue survey.  The primary objective of this study is to help Buncombe County better meet the needs of the citizens they serve by soliciting their feedback about a variety of issues.
Impact:  The government and citizens of Buncombe County

Regional Outlook Report
This project is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the major economic, social, political issues and trends in Western North Carolina.  Aggregated county and regional financial data will be compiled and analyzed and a public opinion survey is being undertaken of the residents in the 23 westernmost counties.  The primary goal of this research is to help policymakers and stakeholders in western North Carolina better understand the opinions of citizens in the region
Impact:  Policymakers and citizens in the 23 westernmost counties of North Carolina

Inland Port Feasibility Study
The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of establishing an inland port within the 29-county ARC region of North Carolina.  The main goal of this research is to provide a substantial study of the need for an inland port and the characteristics that such a port must display.  This report will assess financial feasibility, site considerations, and projected impact of an inland port in WNC. 
Impact: 29-county ARC region of North Carolina

Workforce/Education Initiatives
This project is designed to develop and disseminate a curriculum of 21st Century workforce skills.  The main goal of this project is to better prepare students in public K-12 education in North Carolina for the skills required for employment
Impact:  17 county school districts in the western North Carolina that are participating in the pilot program.  This project will have a more long-term impact for the workforce and employers in western North Carolina.

Oak Ridge / SERRI Project: Creation of a Regional Emergency Planning Model for Continuous Disaster Mitigation Response
The aim of this project is to use a test area (the Charlotte MSA) to create:

• A documented process for regional response planning and action plans focused on continuous regional planning
• Enhanced interagency communication
• Continuous resource management prior to and during a disaster

The goal of this project is to create a regional emergency planning model designed to enhance multi-jurisdictional, interagency planning and to provide continuous disaster mitigation response that can be used in communities across the nation.
Impact: This project is having an immediate impact in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area, but will have a regional and national impact in the long-term.

GIS Cluster Analysis Project – Pilot
For this project, we are conducting an initial analysis of five counties in western North Carolina.  Aspects of this project include:

• Multi-phase study including a analysis of  potential area clusters
• Vendor, supplier and customer relationship analysis

The final report published in May 2008 possibly leading to sponsored research.

Regional Satellite Data Analysis
For this project, we plan to conduct an Initial Structure Analysis of the WCU region using Radar, Lidar and Aerial Photography data sets.

• Multi Phase study including an analysis of existing structures across multiple years (designed to become a NRM class Project).

Policy and Decision Analysis
The impetus for this project is the limited access to collections of economic and demographic data and forecasts for WCU faculty, regional policy makers, and economic actors.  There is a significant need for sub-county level data and forecasts for: housing, population growth, and economic concentrations.  There is also an institutional need to understand workforce availability and requirements as well as business activity trends.  Through use of extensive data resources and analysis, we plan to serve as a data, dynamic modeling and mapping resource capable of assisting regional researchers, policymakers, economic development specialists by:

• Projecting population demographics (size, age ethnic composition, etc.)
• Estimating future housing development patterns.
• Measuring the size of local and regional economies
• Forecasting workforce availability and needs
• Evaluating the impact of public policy innovations in social programs and healthcare availability