Vision Northwest North Carolina: Driving Regional Progress
Event recap and resources
Economic Development Summit Focused on Northwest North Carolina presented by SkyLine/SkyBest and Carolina West Wireless.
The 7th Annual Vision Northwest North Carolina Summit convened on Thursday, May 21, at Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute - Watauga, bringing together thought leaders from across the region to tackle one of the most fundamental forces shaping daily life: transportation infrastructure. From the morning commute to a grocery run to getting kids to school, transportation touches every corner of regional life, and this summit put that reality front and center for the businesses, agencies, and communities working to meet its emerging challenges.
We are grateful to everyone who joined us for the day, and particularly honored by the presence of state leadership whose engagement underscored the significance of these conversations beyond regional borders.
Morning Keynote Session
Featured Guest: Kenny Flowers, Chief Deputy Secretary, North Carolina Department of Commerce
NC COMMERCE FIRST IN OPPORTUNITY STRATEGIC ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Keynote Speaker: Joe Milazzo, Executive Director, Regional Transportation Alliance (RTA)
Morning Breakout 1
Transportation funding and gas tax are shifting, and the State needs new strategies to sustain infrastructure investment for decades ahead. Examine how transportation is financed and future funding models that could replace today's policies.
Panelists:
- Dan Gerlach, Economic Development Strategist
- Mark Newsome, Chief Financial Officer, NC Department of Transportation
- Patrick Woodie, President/CEO, NC Rural Center
Getting goods, workers, and customers where they need to go is foundational to every sector of our economy. Explore the economic interdependence of trucking, freight, and regional mobility.
Panelists:
- LeeAnn Nixon, President, Wilkes Economic Development
- Chris Roland, Plant Fulfillment Leader, GE Aerospace
Panelists:
- Dan Gurley, Principal, DGR Solutions, LLC
- Eric Payne, Airport Manager, Ashe County Airport
- Christina Redman, Camp Grier/G5 Trail Collective
Morning Breakout 2
All Roads Lead to Money (Repeated due to anticipated demand)
Transportation funding and gas tax are shifting, and the State needs new strategies to sustain infrastructure investment for decades ahead. Examine how transportation is financed and future funding models that could replace today's policies.
Panelists:
- Dan Gerlach, Economic Development Strategist
- Mark Newsome, Chief Financial Officer, NC Department of Transportation
- Patrick Woodie, President/CEO, NC Rural Center
Afternoon Keynote Session
The event was organized by a regional partnership that includes the Boone Area, Blowing Rock, Alleghany, and Ashe County Chambers of Commerce, Watauga County Economic Development Commission, Appalachian State University, High Country Council of Governments, AppalCART, High Country Workforce Development Board, and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina. Additional event support comes from DMJPS PLLC, NC Innovation, Lifestore Bank, ERX Emergency Restoration Xperts, Spangler Restoration, Beech Mountain Resort, New River Light & Power, and First Horizon Bank.