Better By Billions

ince Price became the executive vice president for economic development for the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce, the city has announced more than $20 billion in capital investment and nearly 25,000 jobs.

Earlier this year, Price was a key figure in recruiting a $4 billion JetZero airplane manufacturing facility that will bring 14,500 jobs to North Carolina – the largest job creation project in state history.

“Economic development is a team sport, and there’s so many projects, so many late nights having to work together and understanding how communities are built to thrive,” Price said. “It was a team win. I’m not saying I was Cam Newton, the governor of the state is always going to be the quarterback, I was just a really good running back.”

As the lead representative for economic development in Greensboro, Price does everything from presenting proposals to hosting site visits to navigating zoning law. Those skills, which he learned in Auburn’s Master of Community Planning program, have helped him succeed not just in Greensboro, but in Birmingham and Charlotte as well.

Notably, as vice president of the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance, Price helped bring in industry titans including Honeywell and Krispy Kreme.

When recruiting major deals, Price’s belief and love for a community shine through. He points out that anyone who has ever used DayQuil, NyQuil, Crest toothpaste or a Honda jet already knows the quality of the Greensboro workforce.

That trust, combined with North Carolina’s ranking among the best states for doing business, allows Price to translate billion-dollar deals into better opportunities for the people of Greensboro.

“That’s life-altering. It transforms individuals’ lives,” Price said. “That’s someone being able to send their kids to college. That’s someone being able to buy their first home. That’s someone being able to take that long vacation to Disney that they’ve been putting off for years. It transforms individuals’ lives.”

Beyond the lessons in transportation, environment and research in community planning he carried from Auburn, Price said “believing in something and loving it” shows in economic development meetings with team members from different backgrounds.

Price chose Auburn’s community planning program for its accreditation and option to focus on economic development. He said the field combines his love of business deals and calling to public service.

He still remembers his senior presentation at Auburn, where he did a study of the Opelika Boulevard corridor, and being told by his professors that he was ready for the next step.

Price said he’s carried that confidence ever since.

“I thank God that I was able to go through Auburn to get this information because it gives you an advantage. I feel like I’m leaps and bounds ahead of other practitioners from having this background,” Price said. “Auburn is a place where you’re going to be able to fall in love with the details. You’re going to learn how to be a great community planner when you leave that university. You’re ready to work.”