Recent work
We take tremendous pride in our work – partnering with our clients to help anticipate and prepare for the future. The profiles below offer a glimpse into how we do that.
The Business Council of New York State
The Business Council of New York State, Inc. (BCNYS) partnered with the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association (SIFMA) and the New York Bankers Association (NYBA) to produce a report documenting the performance of the financial sector, the sector’s impact on the state economy, and potential threats to this sector and the New York State economy. Economic Leadership was hired to help measure and analyze these trends. This report aims to provide an understanding of the finance sector and its impacts on the New York State economy. This report presents these trends and discusses their implications for the state’s future development and prosperity.
Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
The goal of LA23 is to produce a strategic plan and specific actions that will position Louisiana as a top-tier economic leader in the South by 2030. Completed in 2023, LA23 is a competitive analysis of Louisiana, including extensive stakeholder engagement, to produce a strategic action agenda to improve the state’s competitiveness and diversify the economy by identifying opportunities and strategic positioning and a national scan of best practices that could be appropriate for use in the state.
Colorado Chamber of Commerce
Colorado Vision 2033 establishes a foundation to maintain and improve the state’s competitiveness and position it for sustained growth and prosperity. Completed in 2023, Colorado Vision 2033 is a competitive analysis of Colorado, and a strategic action agenda to improve the state’s competitiveness and diversify the economy by identifying opportunities and strategic positioning. It includes an in-depth workforce assessment and cluster analysis.
National Association of State Chambers of Commerce
In 2022, the National Association of State Chambers of Commerce (NASC) engaged Economic Leadership to research and publish a broad overview of workforce in the United States. The report examines the factors contributing to the current national workforce challenge, including the quantity of American workers, the lack of relevant skills, especially in critical occupations, needed reforms to immigration policy, and the effectiveness of education and training models. The report then details how all fifty state chambers are responding through specific programming and advocacy work at the state level. Federal-level policy reform recommendations were also included.
“If you want to improve your business climate and economic competitiveness, Ted and the team at Economic Leadership have a deep expertise that many state chambers have taken advantage of. He has 40+ years in economic development and can bring this expertise to your organization. In addition, he can present data to help you and your board better understand how your state compares and competes. Ted’s a real pro, and your membership will be impressed with the information he shares.”
North Carolina’s Southeast
In 2020, Economic Leadership created a new economic development strategy for a multicounty region in southeast North Carolina. The project included a future trends analysis, an updated targeted clusters assessment, a workforce readiness assessment, a supply chain evaluation for major industries, a tech sector-focused assessment, and updated marketing content.
Raleigh Chamber
For the past ten years Economic Leadership has provided the Raleigh Chamber with research, communication, and strategy assistance. Data collected and analyzed by our team is the foundation for the annual Metro Comparisons publication that examines the 100 top metros on over 200 metrics aggregated into six custom indexes. Deep data dives and an understanding of state and regional competitiveness has become essential as data analytics permeate all aspects of site selection. Annual discussions with key stakeholders and funders shape the agenda for improvement.
Missouri Chamber Competitiveness Strategy — Missouri2030
Over the past eight years Economic Leadership has developed a series of assessments and strategic action agendas to help the Missouri Chamber improve the overall economic competitiveness of the state. An initial deep overview of how the state compares to other states resulted in specific recommendations for improvement. Additional reports and recommendations for specific actions to improve workforce, infrastructure, technology, and public safety have results in measurable improvements. Economic Leadership has helped with implementation at each step and continues to work with the team on specific programs, advocacy, and communication strategies.
“Ted and his Team at Economic Leadership arm us with first rate product and analysis that gives us the intelligence, credibility and real ideas on how to address the challenges we face as well as foster new initiatives to grow Missouri’s economy. We have seen vast improvement in our rankings versus other states in no small part due to our partnership with Economic Leadership.”
NC Tech and the Colorado Technology Association
Economic Leadership has been involved in many industry assessments. In early 2023 NC Tech released Economic Leadership’s 9th annual State of Technology. The report has been a tool to continue to improve the state’s technology support and infrastructure. Recently a new report for the Colorado Technology Association quantifies the Colorado tech industry’s economic and workforce impact and compares the state’s innovation infrastructure against its competitors. The report includes more than 80 data points on the sector and will be used to drive advocacy and support economic development recruitment efforts.
“Throughout much of our history, NC TECH has relied on Ted Abernathy and his team at Economic Leadership for high-quality research and reporting on the state and national tech sector landscape. Their expertise is widely known to be tops in the field, adding extra credibility to our offerings based on their work.”
Danville Regional Foundation
Economic Leadership frequently works with Architect and Engineering partners like Dewberry, Stewart, and Land Design, to develop economic development strategies and economic analysis for comprehensive and small area plans. Working with Dewberry Engineers, the Economic Leadership team created a new strategic plan and product assessment for Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville Virginia. Our other work with the Danville Regional Foundation has included a housing assessment, an impact analysis of foundation investments and the development of the “Home of Future Thinking” a best practice sharing effort for micropolitan regions across the country.
“For over 15 years, Ted and his team has worked alongside our community as we have been navigating a sea of change. Their foresight, research and ability to take complex ideas and distill them down to how they impact areas as rural as ours has been invaluable as we are working to transform our economy and community. We couldn’t ask for a better partner.”
