THE GGDC IS A PRIVATE SECTOR LED NON-PROFIT CORPORATION, FORMED IN 2014 FOR THE SOLE PURPOSE OF STRENGTHENING FACTORS INFLUENCING GASTON COUNTY'S ECONOMIC COMPETITIVENESS. THE ORGANIZATION HAS SERVED AS A LEADER, CATALYST, CONVENER, AND FACILITATOR OF STRATEGIC INITIATIVES DESIGNED TO UNITE AND ALIGN PUBLIC, PRIVATE, AND NON-PROFIT ENTITIES BEHIND A PRO- GROWTH AGENDA. THE ULTIMATE GOAL OF THESE EFFORTS IS TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASE CAPITAL INVESTMENT AND SUSTAINABLE JOB DEVELOPMENT IN GASTON COUNTY. SINCE THE GGDC'S 2014 INCEPTION, GASTON COUNTY ENJOYED MODERATE INCREMENTAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT SUCCESS. BUT IN 2019, IT FOUND ITSELF AT AN INFLECTION POINT IN ITS GROWTH TRAJECTORY. WITH STRONG DEVELOPMENT MOMENTUM OCCURRING THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, THE GGDC IN CONJUNCTION WITH PARTNERS WORKED TO IDENTIFY AND ADDRESS THE ASSOCIATED OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES TO ENSURE LONG-TERM COMMUNITY BENEFIT. THE GGDC-STRATEGICALLY AND UNIQUELY POSITIONED TO HELP CREATE AND DRIVE FORWARD GASTON-HELPED