About the Indicators Project

The Charlotte Regional Indicators Project builds upon the work of several earlier attempts to establish a benchmarking initiative for the Charlotte region, and has also drawn heavily upon the experiences of similar efforts in other areas across the country, such as the Boston Indicators Project and Sustainable Seattle. These successful initiatives are impressive not only for the breadth and depth of their research, but for their power to transform the way in which public policy decisions are being addressed in their respective communities. Central to their ability to do that is their embrace of technology and in particular, their use of the Internet to “democratize” access to the data. This use of the Internet is one of the things that distinguishes the Indicators Project from previous benchmarking initiatives in the Charlotte region, and one that we think will solidify its ongoing relevance to both policy makers and residents.

The Institute recognizes that as in other cities, the start-up phase is only a starting point. Indeed, for the Indicators Project to remain relevant, the indicators must be continually updated and improved, and the Project’s website further enhanced to make it more interactive.

The Indicators Project is intended to grow each year, truly engaging the entire region and providing the general public, business and government leaders, and other organizations with the information they need to effect positive change in the region’s quality of life. Your feedback is welcomed and encouraged in this process (Contact us.)  (For information about the Project’s funding and sponsors, see Acknowledgements.)

For more information about various aspects of the Indicators Project, click on:

• Chronology
• Future Plans
• Task Forces
• Sponsors & Partnerships
• Indicators Report
• The UNC Charlotte Urban Institute