Laserfiche WebLink
Metropolitan Competitiveness <br /> Traditionally, cities within a region have competed for residents and tax base, often <br /> undercutting neighbors and themselves for short-term returns. The Coalition has cho- <br /> sen to break this pattern by agreeing to coordinate development in the subregion. From <br /> there it can attend to features such as government speed and flexibility, an adaptable <br /> and well-trained workforce, environmentally-sensitive development, and centers that <br /> support neighborhood-scale community and business life. Attention to these features <br /> will give businesses and workers the opportunity to participate in the national and glo- <br /> bal economies while conducting business and living in a community that functions at a <br /> human scale. <br /> There are a number of steps to redefining metropolitan competitiveness. The following <br /> is an abbreviated list of tasks. <br /> Development <br /> • Inventory potential development sites and opportunities for redevelopment. <br /> • Showcase development scenarios that maximize natural amenities. <br /> • Identify existing economic development programs. <br /> • Coordinate economic development programs and operate jointly; develop <br /> new programs if necessary. <br /> • Adopt a Code of Ethics to foster trust and mutual respect when dealing with <br /> issues of development and redevelopment. <br /> • Craft efficient and predictable permitting processes to reduce project delays. <br /> Employment <br /> • Inventory existing businesses,gathering information about"who <br /> they are" and what their future needs will be. <br /> • Identify trends in types and technologies of new businesses. <br /> • Develop Coalition-oriented marketing strategies for employers <br /> and employees. <br /> Workforce <br /> • Build diverse neighborhoods with mixed-use centers to provide quality <br /> environments for workers. <br /> • Evaluate the wage structure/employment opportunities and develop <br /> programs and attract industries to make them consistent with the housing <br /> stock. <br /> • Coordinate welfare-to-work and school-to-work programs. <br /> • Explore opportunities to support reverse commuting. <br /> Clusters and Networks <br /> • Promote mixed nodes of businesses,housing, and activities. <br /> • Encourage opportunities for home-work arrangements. <br /> • Utilize surface street networks to reduce congestion and increase ease in <br /> commuting. <br /> 10 1-35W Coalition Corridor Briefing Book <br />