FOCUS ALTERNATIVE FUTURES FORUM May 22, 2014, Wilmington, NC
INTRODUCTION Steve Etcher, Vice-President, Community EDGE, LLC Executive Director Boonslick Regional Planning Commission, Warrenton, Missouri 3 County Region Rapidly growing area outside St. Louis metropolitan area Officer & Board Member of National Association of Development Organization National association of regional development organizations
FOCUS: BRUNSWICK, NEW HANOVER & PENDER COUNTIES REGIONALISM: A NEW TERM OR A TESTED CONCEPT?
REGIONALISM REGIONALISM IS NOT: A new concept An alternative form of government Another layer of bureaucracy REGIONALISM IS: A conscience effort to work together A coordinated effort to improve communities and the lives of its citizens An efficient approach that enables leaders to do more with less. Regionalism is a conscience effort to tackle problems and challenges together
IT S A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE How you see your community
IT S A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE How North Carolina sees your community
IT S A MATTER OF PERSPECTIVE How the world sees your community
WHY REGIONALISM IS IMPORTANT Our world is shrinking Our world is more competitive Our world is more mobile Our region s resources are key Our financial resources are shrinking while the demand for services is escalating Your economy is regional Your target audience will view you as a region Your success and failures are felt regionally Your competition is intense
WHITE HOUSE MEMO TO ALL HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES Many important challenges demand a regional approach. The nation is increasingly a conglomeration of regional economies and ecosystems that should be approached as such. Federal investments should promote planning and collaboration across jurisdictional boundaries Increase the impact of government dollars by leveraging place-based planning and programming Place based policies leverage investments by focusing resources in targeted places and drawing on the compounding effect of well-coordinated action. Effective regional policies and practices can influence how rural and metropolitan areas develop, how well they function as a place to live, work operate a business, preserve heritage, and more Regional policies can streamline otherwise redundant and disconnected programs and services
REGIONAL ISSUES Economic development Workforce development Housing development Transportation infrastructure Transit programs Recreational facilities, parks and trails Healthcare systems Educational systems Water resources Air quality Social programs and many more
RECIPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL REGIONAL EFFORT Vision Benchmarks and Indicators Leadership Networks Conflict Resolution and Collaboration Communities must be part of a cooperative, collaborative unit to be competitive.
EXAMPLES OF REGIONAL EFFORT ACCESS STL WEST Regional Economic Development Effort/Brand Focus on 3 county region outside metropolitan St. Louis Embraces individual community uniqueness while promoting unity and cooperation Community variations in regional approach Bedroom community Resort community Industrial attraction Transportation/warehousing attraction Rail, River and Interstate access Talent attraction Tourism
RESULT OF REGIONAL EFFORT CERTAINTEED CORPORATION Site of major industrial investment $100 Million 375 jobs Property spans geography of 2 counties, 8 taxing districts, 1 city.
RECIPE FOR A SUCCESSFUL REGIONAL EFFORT How to make regionalism happen Get engaged in the discussion Identify commonalities Recognize differences Be open-minded Leave the past in the past Mesh local priorities with regional efforts-row in the same direction Change your perspective-see yourself how the world sees you Create your identity and know your competition Commit to compromise
CLOSING It is better to be at the table than to end up on the menu
Working Together to Create a Better Tomorrow Steve W. Etcher Vice-President Community EDGE, LLC steve@communityedgellc.com
I am hesitant to embrace regionalism because: 1. My voice won t be heard 2. Regional priorities won t align with local priorities 3. There is not enough money to share between local & regional needs 4. I don t want someone else telling me how to run my community 5. I have nothing in common with the surrounding area 6. I don t have any hesitations about regionalism 8% 10% 10% 4% 0% 67% 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
What do you consider our region? 1. My City or Town 2. My County 3. Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender Counties 4. Southeastern North Carolina My City or Town 1% 4% 68% 28% My County Brunswick, New Hanover,... Southeastern North Carolina