Charlotte Commercial Real Estate Whispers — Dec. 13, 2024

Tracy Dodson on economic development; Historic landmark gets reprieve; Time lapse video of South End construction; Scintillating land deals

Step into the seductive new edition of Charlotte Commercial Real Estate Whispers, where the city’s hottest land deals, rezonings, and developments are fully unveiled. Brace yourself for heart-pounding revelations from Charlotte’s real estate world, where every transaction is an enticing secret and every disclosure an irresistible thrill.

Tracy Dodson on economic development and the need to be ‘more strategic’

After years of announcements of new companies and business expansions, it has been a quieter time lately for Charlotte-area economic developers.

We recently caught up with the city’s economic development director, Tracy Dodson, and chatted about the slowdown and the outlook for attracting new businesses. The interview took place on Oct. 24, just before the University City Partners annual meeting.

Dodson’s views are freshly relevant now, after the announcement Wednesday that she is leaving the city to become chief operating officer and head of economic development of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, a job she is starting in February.

Charlotte economic development director Tracy Dodson (left) chats with Vanguard executives Jennifer Manry and Brian McCarthy at a University City Partners event in October. Dodson, who was named chief operating officer of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance on Thursday, tells The Ledger that Charlotte needs to do a better job telling its story and to be “more strategic.” (Photo courtesy of University City Partners/Daniel Coston)

Remarks have been edited for length and clarity.

Q. On economic development, it seems like things have been a little slower — not just in Charlotte, but around the state. How has the environment changed?

There are two things. I think a lot of what we see broadly is a reflection of just the overall economy. With office, it’s just historically been slow the last couple of years, just because of return to work, things like that. We’re definitely seeing an uptick now in activity. I think for vacant office, it’s becoming more clear that there are winners and losers.