In March 2021, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Town of Chapel Hill announced the Carolina Economic Development Strategy, a new partnership to revitalize downtown and further economic development in Chapel Hill. The economic development strategy is a top-tier, Chancellor-level initiative and town-gown partnership that will revitalize and create an innovation district in downtown Chapel Hill. The initiative is led by Sheryl Waddell, interim director of economic development, and two committees.
“The Carolina Economic Development Strategy positions us to act as a catalyst to retain, attract and grow more innovation-oriented companies and talent in Chapel Hill and North Carolina.”
Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz
Chancellor’s Economic Development Council
UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz appointed a group of senior University leaders to serve on the Chancellor’s Economic Development Council. The role of the council is to recruit businesses and research entitites with UNC-Chapel Hill affinities and provide a set of servcies and programs that create more opportunities for startups and growth-oriented companies to locate in Chapel Hill.
Chancellor’s Council Chair; Executive-in-Residence for Economic Development
Director of Economic Development and Innovation Hubs, Innovate Carolina
Director, Eshelman Institute for Innovation, Eshelman School of Pharmacy
Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, UNC-Chapel Hill
Associate Vice Chancellor for Research
Department Chair, Thomas Willis Lambeth Distinguished Professor, Director of Carolina Transportation Program, Department of City and Regional Planning
Professor of the Practice, Hussman School of Journalism and Media
Associate Vice Chancellor, Corporate and Foundation Relations
Associate Vice Chancellor for University Real Estate Operations
Associate Vice Chancellor for Campus and Community Communications
Robert W. Bradshaw Jr. Distinguished Term Professor of Public Law and Government, and Director, Development Finance Initiative
Vice Chancellor for Development
Vice Dean and Interim HR Officer, Gillings School of Global Public Health
PNC Distinguished Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, Kenan-Flagler Business School
Senior Associate Athletic Director, Capital Projects and Facilities
Chief of Staff, UNC Health Care System and UNC School of Medicine
Associate Vice Chancellor for Facilities Services
Downtown Together Taskforce
The Chancellor and Mayor of Chapel Hill appointed the task force to develop a strategy for creating a downtown innovation district that will result in retaining and attracting more innovation-oriented busiensses, residents and talent.
Mayor, Town of Chapel Hill; Co-Chair, Downtown Together Taskforce
Executive-in-Residence for Economic Development; Co-Chair, Downtown Together Taskforce
Director of Economic Development and Parking Services, Town of Chapel Hill
Town Manager, Town of Chapel Hill
Executive Director, Chapel Hill Downtown Partnership
Associate Vice Chancellor for University Real Estate Operations
Director of Economic Development and Innovation Hubs, Innovate Carolina