Southwestern NC Planning & Economic Development Commission

The Southwestern NC Planning & Economic Development Commission is a U.S. local government entity registered in SAM.gov, functioning as a planning commission and council of governments serving seven counties in southwestern North Carolina. Located in Sylva, NC, the organization plays a critical role in regional economic development, infrastructure planning, and community support across Cherokee, Clay, Graham, Haywood, Jackson, Macon, and Swain Counties. As a regional planning and economic development organization, the commission provides comprehensive services designed to strengthen local economic competitiveness, support workforce development, and address community infrastructure and strategic planning needs.

Through its federal grant awards, the Southwestern NC Planning & Economic Development Commission has secured multiple project grants from agencies like the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC), the U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA), and the Federal Highway Administration. These grants have supported diverse initiatives including comprehensive economic development strategy (CEDS) planning, disaster recovery efforts, workforce training, community infrastructure development, and transportation safety planning. Notably, recent awards include a $301,664 Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) grant to develop a Comprehensive Safety Action Plan, a $500,000 Economic Adjustment Assistance grant for disaster recovery related to 2024 hurricanes, and multiple ARC grants for local development district administrative support, business technical assistance, and community revitalization. The commission has also been a sub-recipient for Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, partnering with the North Carolina Department of Commerce to deliver employment and training services, supporting career counseling, job search assistance, occupational skills training, and workforce readiness initiatives.