URBAN PLANNING
NCGrowth & SmartUp are initiatives that help businesses and communities create good jobs and equitable opportunities through applied research and technical assistance. In partnership with other universities and community organizations, NCGrowth provides technical assistance to businesses and government entities on economic development and entrepreneurship projects. Since 2012, NCGrowth & SmartUp has worked with over 70 communities and over 200 businesses. Starting in January 2021, NCGrowth will partner with Black Business Matters LLC in Rocky Mount, North Carolina to inform their strategy for creating a thriving and sustainable Black Business District in downtown Rocky Mount. The project will serve as a model for restorative economics in Black Communities. NCGrowth will provide Black Business Matters LLC with research and analysis to support business recruitment strategy. The NCGrowth team will conduct market analysis to identify opportunities for new and expanded businesses in the District that complement existing businesses. The project is targeted for completion May 2021 and will provide the following deliverables:
- Identify business opportunities in specific industries through market analysis.
- Recommend and implement a plan for BBM LLC and the City of Rocky Mount to recruit new black owned businesses to the downtown area, while incentivizing existing property owners to pursue development of their respective property. .
- Design an asset map of the Black Business District, inclusive of current Black owned businesses and blossoming entrepreneurs.
Michael English, Senior Analyst