Area economic development has been the topic du jour in recent gatherings, from the Business Journal’s March 27 Power Breakfast to the April 2 presentation of a consulting firm to New Hanover County officials on the topic.

Among the industries the county should target, said Jay Garner of Atlanta-based Garner Economics LLC, are those in the areas of life and marine science research and development; high-value office operations such as specialized outsourced business services; precision manufacturing; and aircraft assembly, modification and maintenance.

New Hanover County commissioners retained Garner Economics to study the county’s economic development needs, create strategies and develop an action plan to strengthen existing industries and identify emerging business opportunities.

To improve competitiveness for the target industries, Garner recommended actions including the addition of relevant educational and training programs at Cape Fear Community College and University of North Carolina Wilmington, advocacy for the continuation of film incentives, provision of free high-speed Internet throughout the county and development of facilities at Wilmington International Airport to attract aviation-related industries.

Garner also recommended that the county, through Wilmington Business Development, step up its marketing efforts and implement a lead generation program focused on the target industry areas, which would “effectively identify and prioritize prospects and would provide the industry expertise to qualify such prospects.”

What is the next step, now that the Garner report is in the hands of county officials? Garner suggested that a few top local officials facilitate a structured discussion to look at priorities and implementation.

“We’re still working through the details on that,” said Tim Burgess, assistant county manager. “There’s a lot of energy around this and some momentum. We want to move ahead on what he gave us.”

To read about other regional studies that are underway, click here.