CHARLESTON, S.C. (January 15, 2014) – Ernest Andrade, principal of Andrade Economics and Executive Director of the Charleston Digital Corridor Foundation, will bring his expertise in developing and executing locally-sourced, diverse economic strategies to the City of Tallahassee's City Commission retreat for Council members.

Andrade's value and results-oriented mindset in leading the Charleston Digital Corridor caught the attention of newly elected Mayor Andrew Gillum during a recent visit to Charleston. Mayor Gillum was keen to understand Charleston's expansion from a tourism economy to include a high-wage tech economy.

Andrade will share insights behind his successful strategies at the retreat including:

• How the dynamics of community success have changed - Open networks versus closed hierarchy-driven organizations.
• Engaging local entrepreneurs from emerging tech and tech-related businesses to improve the business climate.
• Implementing a comprehensive talent attraction and development strategy
• Developing and optimizing economic development strategy to maximize results
• Ditching expensive reports and studies in favor of implementing small, tangible and practical actions.

Andrade launched the Charleston Digital Corridor in February 2001 to attract, nurture and grow knowledge-based companies in Charleston. Under his leadership, the successful public-private business development partnership has garnered a growing list of accomplishments, including: positioning Charleston as a premier destination for knowledge-based companies by growing the Digital Corridor from 18 to 100+ companies, launching a year round CODEcamp initiative, developing two business incubators and launching a private investment fund for growth-stage tech companies.

Contact:

Ernest Andrade

ernest@andradeeconomics.com

843.606.0092