Governors of states such as Colorado, New York and Tennessee are using “bottom-up” economic development strategies that aim to place their regions at the center of the states economic development planning, service delivery, and execution. The states are hoping that this approach will help unleash each individual region’s dynamism.
Colorado Blue Print – Governor John Hickenloope used 14 county summaries of their local economies visions, strengths and weaknesses and regional economic development plans to develop the state’s economic development strategy.
New York: Open for Business – Governor Andrew Cuomo established 10 economic development councils tasked with developing regional strategic plans focused on leveraging the particular strengths of each region. As an incentive to develop meaningful strategies the best plans were given a higher percentage of the $200 million capital funds and tax incentives.
Jobs4TN – Jobs 4TN is Governor Bill Haslam’s plan to strengthen the state economy by moving to unleash and support the entrepreneurial energies and dynamism of the state’s regions. The goal is to prioritize key industry clusters, establish regional “jobs base camps” to support regional coordination, and invest in innovation through the INCITE initiative.
(Article: ‘Bottom Up’ Economic Development Gains Traction)
(Source: The New Republic)
