Coaching Services

Coaching Services for Economic Development Professionals

Our goal is to help economic development professionals succeed. We will share best practices and our experiences in a one-on-one setting.

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Strategic Planning

Strategic Planning

Our asset-based approach uses a thorough SWOT Analysis that is both qualitative and quantitative. We gain stakeholder and community input using a range of engagement technologies. We deliver action steps that are realistic and ready for implementation.

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Product Development

Product Development

Since product development is second only to talent development in terms of importance to EDO’s, our creative approach includes a first-in-the-nation online site assessment tool as well as a “site slector review” and assessments.

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Economic Impact Analysis

Economic Impact Analysis

Too often EDOs and local officials spend public dollars without analyzing whether the project is a good deal. Creative EDC uses nationally recognized analysis tools tailored for each specific project to provide an impact analysis before any money is invested.

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We transform plain cardboard boxes into something special.

When you look around your community, do you find yourself wondering if the site that has been sitting vacant for a few years could be transformed into a new technology park? Do you want to spark young entrepreneurs to invest in your community? Can your site location project be positioned to transform your local economy? Just like kids can transform a plain cardboard box into something special, we put our creativity and experience to work transforming your economic development projects.

Let us help re-invent your cardboard box.

Strategic Planning

Product Development

Economic Impact Analysis

Organizational Development

Certified Entrepreneurial Communities

Certified Industrial Buildings

Creative Site Assessment

Creative Back Office Suite of Services

Recent Blog Posts

• Summer Is Almost Here – 2026 Summer Reading ListJune 8, 2026
  Anticipating the arrival of summer is the perfect time to swap your spreadsheets for something to keep you up past midnight, and we have some ideas that are too good …

  Summer Is Almost Here – 2026 Summer Reading List Read More »

• AI Prompts for Economic DevelopersMay 6, 2026
  At our recent WEDN conference in February, we held a hands-on workshop with AI Literacy Consultant Rebecca Akben. We learned how to personalize ChatGPT and develop prompts to produce outputs …

  AI Prompts for Economic Developers Read More »

• WEDN 2026 Round UpMarch 26, 2026
  (Check out the conference photos below.) WEDN Learn and Lead 2026 brought together economic developers from NC, SC, VA, and more, to LEARN and encourage them to LEAD when they …

  WEDN 2026 Round Up Read More »

Paying It Forward

Give Back

Women’s Economic Development Network

Mentor Network

Resource Library

About Us

Creative EDC was launched in 2012 by Crystal Morphis, CEcD. With over 20 years of economic development experience, she started a firm that provides innovative consulting approaches with a commitment to give back (see The Creative Philosophy). The firm has grown to include experienced researchers, tech talent, strategic thinkers, and a wide range of strategic partners.

From our creative team come creative solutions for you.

Crystal Morphis

Penny Whiteheart

Heather Beard