Greg Edds, Chairman, Rowan County Board of Commissioners

Invest: spoke with Greg Edds, chairman of the Rowan County Board of Commissioners, about Livingstone’s contribution to the county’s economic development, preparing talent to meet workforce needs, and opportunities for collaboration with county government. “As Rowan County continues to grow, we have a shared responsibility to ensure that our hometown talent sees a bright future right here at home. Livingstone attracted them to our community; now we need to provide the quality opportunities that will keep them here,” Edds said.

How do you see Livingstone College contributing to the county’s long-term economic development and workforce strategy?

Livingstone College is much more than a historic institution of higher learning; it is a foundational anchor of our local economy and a catalyst for regional momentum. Under the visionary leadership of President Dr. Anthony J. Davis, the college has leaned aggressively into modern workforce demands—ranging from cutting-edge STEAM and business programs to targeted biomanufacturing training.

When we look at Rowan County’s long-term economic strategy, we need a pipeline of talent that is agile, resilient, relevant, and ready to meet the standards of tomorrow’s industries. Livingstone provides that edge. By equipping students with real-world skills and fostering a cutting-edge entrepreneurial spirit, the college ensures that economic growth stays rooted right here in our community, driving economic and social mobility upward, and filling high-demand positions across the greater Charlotte region with exceptional local talent.

As Rowan County continues to attract new investment, what role can Livingstone play in preparing talent to meet the needs of growing industries? 

Rowan County is experiencing an incredible wave of economic investment, and keeping pace with that growth requires proactive, intentional partnerships between local leadership and our educational institutions. Livingstone College excels at this because they don’t just react to industry needs—their active partnership helps us anticipate them.

Through strategic federal and state investments, state-of-the-art technical equipment, and customized curriculum development, Livingstone is directly aligning its classrooms with the manufacturing, logistics, and corporate environments entering our market. They are bridging the gap between potential and opportunity. By producing career-ready graduates who understand the value of hard work, integrity, and innovation, Livingstone ensures that incoming companies find a ready, highly capable workforce waiting for them on day one. And that’s a remarkably strong recruiting tool for our community’s economic development team.

Where do you see the greatest opportunities for collaboration between county government and Livingstone College over the next several years? 

Our greatest opportunities for collaboration lie in planned infrastructure alignment, community development, and workforce pipelines that intentionally connect our local graduates with local career pathways. As Rowan County continues to grow, we have a shared responsibility to ensure that our hometown talent sees a bright future right here at home. Livingstone attracted them to our community; now we need to provide the quality opportunities that will keep them here.

By deepening our public-private partnerships—whether through expanded community revitalization initiatives around the campus corridor, joint workforce development planning, or aligning county economic development goals with educational milestones—we can create unstoppable momentum. President Davis and his talented leadership team at Livingstone share a deep commitment to our community’s progress, and when local government and higher education lock arms with a positive shared vision, there is truly no limit to what Rowan County can achieve.