International Engagement Ready Communities Initiative
From 2017–2018, CREC collaborated with SRI International’s Center for Innovation Strategy and Policy (CISP) and Stone & Associates to equip regions with tools to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and foster export promotion.
Building a Best Practices Toolkit
The International Engagement Ready Communities (IERC) Initiative began with qualitative and quantitative analyses of successful international strategies. Insights from experts, practitioners, and regional partners shaped a Best Practices Toolkit—complete with “how to” guides, case studies, checklists, and briefings to help regions implement effective strategies.
Equipping Regions Nationwide
As part of this initiative, CREC developed and evaluated an Assessment Tool and Toolkit, which was widely deployed across the United States. By providing actionable strategies, the IERC Initiative gave regions practical methods to leverage their unique strengths, attract investment, and expand into international markets.