Sunday, June 18, 2006
It is no mystery why the Greater Cleveland business leadership is promoting gambling as a strategy to turn around the city.
Unfortunately, Cleveland's business leadership has been unable to compromise with other gambling promoters from around the state. The controversy is starting to get a little ugly. Cleveland's tactics have shut the door on a proposal for a casino in Cincinnati.
Now, allegations of dirty tactics are spilling out into the newspaper. Read more.
So, following the leadership of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, it looks like Ohio voters may be asked in November to change their constitution in order to benefit two real estate developers in Cleveland. This may be progress for Ohio, but I, for one, have a hard time seeing it.
We should instead be focused on improving the financing of secondary education, needed investments in post-secondary education, and improving the networks for high impact, entrepreneurial companies in the state.
(The "Ohio Learn and Earn" branding of a gambling campaign is a nifty PR touch to position this initiative as an investment in education. It looks like in November we'll see if Ohio voters buy it.)
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.
Don't try this at home
