Meet Clark Duncan, Senior Vice President of Economic Development at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and a recipient of North America’s Top 50 Economic Developer Award for 2024. Clark is a dedicated economic development professional with a heart for servant leadership. Since becoming Senior VP at the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Clark has helped increase economic vitality for his region and continues to make strides in inclusivity and sustainability for all in the Asheville area.
Looking back at your career so far, what makes you most proud or fulfilled?
The AVL 5x5 Strategy established a vision for inclusive prosperity and the core values of economic sustainability that guide the work of the EDC today. This new foundation has delivered new partnerships, innovative programming, and record-breaking results.
What shifts do you feel will happen in the profession over the next five years?
Site Selection is increasingly driven by the skill, depth, and projected growth of the local workforce. To remain competitive, leading communities and economic developers will need to forge new partnerships and new approaches to childcare, education, and housing.
What is your favorite characteristic of your community or region? Why?
For a metro region just shy of 500,000 residents, we very much rely on regionalism, cross-sector partnerships, and interpersonal relationships to get things done. This unified purpose remains an asset and differentiator in the work of economic development.
What led you to economic development? What’s kept you here?
I am fortunate to have found a career that aligns with my purpose, supports my family, and helps my neighbors do the same. Our profession builds more than a tax base; it strengthens neighborhoods, communities, and a brighter future for the place we call home.
What is your favorite economic development memory?
The Pratt & Whitney project announcement in late 2020 represented a sea change for the regional economy. Even more importantly, in the pandemic era, it offered a timely reminder of what we could accomplish together with partnership and community ambition.
Meet all the #NATop50 award recipients here: https://lnkd.in/dpMqSunD
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Speaker, Author, CEO
2moI am honored to be there and can’t wait to deliver a dynamic, inspiring, and actionable keynote!