Amends GS 143B-431.01(e) concerning reporting requirements between a non-profit and the Department of Commerce in regards to the NC Economic Development Partnership, now requiring that the non-profit corporation include in its report detailed explanations of current marketing plans and criteria used to measure progress. Makes technical changes.

Creates an 11 member Workgroup on Economic Development for Distressed Communities (Workgroup), with five members appointed by each the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, with the Secretary of Commerce or designee also serving as a member. Specifies experience requirements for potential appointees. Tasks the Workgroup with examining NC's strategy for assisting economically distressed communities as well as development programs and strategies used by other states or entities, with an end of developing such programs and plans in NC. Requires the Workgroup to create a measurement plan that will assess progress towards reducing or eliminating economic distress in the state. Requires a final report of the study and recommendations to be submitted to the General Assembly no later than March 1, 2017, after which the Workgroup is terminated. 

Amends Section 4.1 of SL 2014-18, concerning personnel located in Collaboration for Prosperity Zones, requiring the Department of Commerce to have at least one employee from the Rural Economic Division Main Street and Rural Planning Center located in each office in each of the Collaboration for Prosperity Zones with the purpose of assisting communities with adding value to economic and community development projects.