Monday, October 28, 2002
In a speech slated for delivery today, Portland's Mayor, Vera Katz, updates her city's economic development agenda.
One disappointing note: she focuses on creating an economic opportunity fund to provide incentives to companies to either relocate or stay in Portland. Based on the recent dstrategy report completed for the city, this fund would be financed with between $4 million and $10 million a year.
This is a genuinely bad idea. In her remarks, the mayor says the city has limited financial tools to compete with incentives offered by nations such as China, Singapore and Taiwan. This comment simply underscores how little she understands the dynamics of global competition. Blind pools for incentives are not what is important in this competition.
One proposal that does make sense: Portland should promote a dedicated money source for education if the Legislature doesn't. The mayor also said the city should commit more than $5 million to the Portland State University School of Engineering and continue its investment in OHSU. These types of investments make sense.
Download a summary of the Portland strategy. Go
posted by Ed Morrison |
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Some Background on EDPro Weblog
The purpose of this weblog is to help economic development professionals -- EDPros -- keep up with the changes sweeping our profession. Strap on your goggles. It's a whole new game. There are no experts any more. The only place to learn about economic development is from other EDPros who are doing it.
One other point: the prevaling approach (paradigm, if you like) in economic development is shifting from competition to collaboration. There are a lot of reaasons underlying this shift, but here's the important insight: You, your community, and your region will do better by collaborating and sharing information.
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Speaking and workshops on Open Source Economic Development
As the idea of Open Source Economic Development starts spreading, more people are asking about it. Visit the I-Open web site to learn more. My colleagues and I are happy to explain the basic concepts in a talk or a workshop. E-mail Susan Alshuler if you'd like to learn more about workshops and speaking.
Background on Ed Morrison
Download some background information on me here.
Portland, OR is launching new ED strategy
