The Initiative connects community economic development leaders with the financial and human resources, networks and training they need to serve their communities, and is helping create the next generation of sector leaders. Conferences and training workshops provide opportunities for developers, partners and community leaders to network, collaborate, share best practices and envision new approaches to community challenges and opportunities. We work on the ground with local governments, nonprofits, and investors to transform individual communities in North Carolina through strategic investments and collaboration. These demonstration projects allow us to explore replicable models for community investments.