Regional News Archive

Pull Together

Lt. Gov. Fisher stresses regional pockets to push development
April 13, 2007
Dayton Business Journal (Dayton, OH)
by Yvonne Teems

Lt. Gov. Lee Fisher said workforce development and regionalism are two things he'll focus on as he tries to bring Ohio to the next level of economic development.

Fisher addressed a crowd of 150 at Edison Community College in Piqua at the Dayton Business Journal 2007 Regional Development Forum North April 10.

NOTE: This article is for Paid Print Subscribers ONLY.

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/

Groups band to sell Miami County

Leaders have worked on European project
April 13, 2007
Dayton Business Journal (Dayton, OH)
by Yvonne Teems

Government and economic development officials in Miami County say they're working better together now than ever before.

At the Dayton Business Journal 2007 Regional Development Forum North on April 10, a group of panelists talked about how workforce development, regionalism and other local efforts are helping Miami County develop economically.

NOTE: This article is for Paid Print Subscribers ONLY.

http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/stories/2007/

Reports say a lack of regionalism hurts Pa.

Tue, Apr. 10, 2007
Philadelphia Inquirer Harrisburg Bureau (Philadelphia, PA)
By Amy Worden

HARRISBURG - With its multitude of centuries-old townships and boroughs, Pennsylvania can boast of its historic and highly localized municipal-government structure, but policy experts say it's time for an extreme makeover.

No wonder, as Pennsylvania has 2,565 local governments, or one for every 4,820 residents.And that doesn't count the school districts.

http://www.philly.com/inquirer/local/20070410

Archer champions regional cooperation

April 8, 2007
Observer & Eccentric Newspapers (Detroit, MI)
By Megan Pennefather   

Regional Detroit is bursting at the seams with potential, and Dennis Archer just can't contain his excitement. "This is the first time in my memory that everyone is really excited about coming together and working collegially," said Archer, former Detroit mayor and current chairman of the Detroit Regional Chamber.

And if the region is to survive that cooperation has to continue and grow, he told the crowd of Oakland County business, government and community leaders gathered at the Management Education Center in Troy for: Regionalism: It's Everyone's Business."

http://www.hometownlife.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID

Economic development leader says local officials must think big

Thursday, April 05, 2007
Bay City Times (Bay City, MI)
By Ryan J. Stanton

Leaders of Bay County's public-private economic development firm on Wednesday underscored the importance of thinking regionally as they look to the future of Mid-Michigan.

''Obviously our goal is to bring investment and development to Bay County,'' said Frederick Hollister, president and CEO of Bay Future Inc. ''We're trying to be regionally focused.''

That message carried throughout Bay Future's second annual meeting, as more than 140 regional business leaders and public officials packed into the Doubletree hotel and conference center in downtown Bay City.

http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf

Author shares can-do attitude with summit attendees

Wednesday, April 4, 2007
Herald-Whig (Quincy, MO)
By Doug Wilson

CANTON, Mo. -- Jack Schultz says "a can-do attitude" is the most important factor in successful communities or successful regional efforts.

"It's amazing what communities have been able to accomplish" when they believe in themselves and their goal, Schultz said during an interview. Schultz, author of "Boomtown USA," was the keynote speaker today at the Tri-State Development Summit. He talked about his study of the most successful small communities in the nation and complimented summit organizers for combining their efforts and taping the power of regionalism for more than 10 years.

"I think it's a wonderful approach," Schultz said.

He has observed other regional approaches. One that Schultz talks about is a coordinated effort on behalf of 21 counties in western North Carolina. Schultz said the area has rolling hills and little to attract industry. When the counties did an inventory of their assets, they noted that the area was once known as the moonshine capital of the United States.

http://www.whig.com/288597711428389.php

Water plan being tweaked in quest to gain millions

09/24/2006
Chico Enterprise-Record (Chico, CA)
By Heather Hacking - Staff Writer

A shift to regionalism is taking place throughout the state on water issues, and the Northern California Water Association is poised to lead the northern Sacramento Valley through the process.

It's hoped a $500,000 planning grant from the state under Proposition 50 will lead to $25 million applied to projects by NCWA's signatories and Butte County.

http://www.chicoer.com/newshome/ci

Cleveland, Akron talk of drinking-water deal

Mayors acknowledge having discussions
Friday, September 22, 2006
The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH)
By Steve Luttner

Akron-- The mayor's office acknowledged Thursday that Cleveland water may one day flow from Akron spigots.

Four months ago, Mark Williamson, a spokesman for Mayor Don Plusquellic, dismissed the idea of Akron switching to Cleveland water. But on Thursday, Williamson said Plusquellic, who is on a trade mission in China, does not rule out an eventual deal.

http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer

With SOS gone, focus shifts to school plan

K-16 funding proposal on Nov. 7 ballot has municipalities worried
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Ann Arbor News (Ann Arbor, MI)
By Art Aisner

The apparent downfall of a ballot initiative that could dramatically affect municipal services has local officials breathing easier - and focusing on a school funding measure headed for the Nov. 7 ballot.

Elected officials and staff at the county, city and township levels throughout Washtenaw County lauded last week's decision by the state appeals court that blocks the Stop Over Spending initiative. They called the decision a victory for communities already coping with cuts in state revenue sharing.

The proposal would have limited state spending to current levels, with minimal increases allowed in coming years based on population and inflation. Any new or increased local fees or special assessments would have required countywide votes. Several thousand petition signatures were ruled invalid by election officials and two courts, but proponents are expected to appeal to the State Supreme Court.

http://www.mlive.com/news/aanews/index.ssf

We're proud to be from Hampton Roads

An Old Dominion University poll of 1,000 residents confirms they like regionalism
September 16, 2006
The Daily Press (Hampton Roads, VA)
By Chris Flores

We really want to be known as residents of a place called "Hampton Roads" because regionalism is so important to us.

But we like our own corners of the region enough to not get out very often.

The love for regionalism is what the Hampton Roads Partnership was hoping to hear when it commissioned a poll by Old Dominion University professor Joshua G. Behr.

With the exception of an even split on land use, strong majorities of people polled said they wanted to see regional cooperation by governments.

http://www.dailypress.com/news/local

Summit focus: Retain quality workers

Regional development leaders discuss future of state at Aberdeen meeting
Posted on Wed, Sep. 13, 2006
Aberdeen News (Aberdeen, SD)
By Emily Arthur

If the region is going to continue to grow, state employers need to re-examine ways to keep graduates in South Dakota, the co-founder of one of the state's leading employers said on Tuesday.

"If we analyze our assets in South Dakota, there's one asset that we have over anybody else - the minds of our young people," said Al Kurtenbach, co-founder and chairman of the board of Daktronics in Brookings.

Kurtenbach and other large-company employers spoke at the Regional Development Summit in Aberdeen on Tuesday. One of the main points of the summit was to analyze ways to attract and retain quality workers throughout northeast South Dakota.

http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news

Get me to the church on time

Surrounding parishes tie the knot with BRAC on a regional vision for economic development
September 12, 2006
Greater Baton Rouge Business Report (Baton Rouge, LA)
By Steve Clark

Why can't we all just get along?

Apparently, we can. No doubt about it: The Baton Rouge Area Chamber's relationship with its economic development peers in the surrounding parishes has improved dramatically just in the last couple of months.

The notion of regional economic development with BRAC as the official lead organization--something president and CEO Stephen Moret has been pushing ever since his arrival in 2004--has been unanimously endorsed by the boards of the chambers of all eight of the parishes constituting the capital area's economic development region.

http://www.businessreport.com/newsDetail.cfm?aid=9573

Region prepares for emergency

In Pennsylvania, funding is distributed on a regional basis
Sunday, September 10, 2006
THE VINDICATOR (Youngstown, OH)
Staff Report

Officials say there is better communication and cooperation among safety forces since Sept. 11, 2001, brought about by the millions of dollars sent from federal and state agencies to the local level.

"People are talking," said Nancy Dragani, Ohio Emergency Management Agency executive director. "That really didn't happen pre-9/11."

"It's a shame that it took something like Sept. 11 to pull everyone together," added Linda Beil, Trumbull County's director of Homeland Security and its EMA.

9/11 also brought about new equipment for nearly any kind of emergency, nationally standardized training, regional cooperation and greater public awareness. Instead of turf wars, conversations from the federal to the local levels deal with everything from response to terrorist attacks to how to restock stores after a disaster.

http://www.vindy.com/content/local_regional

North Shore mayors share regional visions

Thursday, September 7, 2006
The Daily Item (Lynn, MA)
By David Liscio

DANVERS -- Cutting municipal costs, shifting toward regionalism and taming labor unions emerged as prevalent themes Wednesday when the mayors and chief executives from eight North Shore communities shared their views at the North Shore Chamber of Commerce's annual State of the Region Address.

http://www.thedailyitemoflynn.com/news/view.bg?articleid=13046

Iowa faces labor shortage in next few years

Sunday, September 3, 2006
The Globe Gazette (Mason City, IA)
By John Skipper

MASON CITY -- On Labor Day 2006, many labor and civic leaders in Iowa worry about what life in the workplace will be like on Labor Day 2011 and beyond. With good reason. Union leaders say Iowa needs higher-paying jobs, lower taxes and a higher minimum wage.

Business leaders say regionalism is the best approach to economic growth. But the biggest problem of all smothers the others, experts say. The labor shortage in Iowa in the next few years could be astronomical.

http://www.globegazette.com/articles/2006/09/03

Two counties stand for region unity vs go-it-alone Lake County

September 6, 2006
Chesterton Trubune (Chesterton, IN)
By Alexandra Newman

Tourism officials of Porter County and LaPorte County are circling their wagons to keep Lake County Tourism from taking over as the regional director of tourism for all three counties.

Tuesday afternoon LaPorte County tourism officials attended the monthly meeting of the Porter County Convention, Recreation and Visitor Commission to formally announce their support against Lake County Convention Recreation and Visitors Commission President and CEO Spero Batistatos’ attempt to take control of tourism throughout Northwest Indiana.

“We stand with Porter County in your efforts to bring our two counties together not allowing Lake County Convention, Recreation and Visitors Commission to be the regional director of tourism for what we can do ourselves,” said Doug Waters, vice president of LaPorte County Tourism Bureau.

http://www.chestertontribune.com/PorterCounty/

Poaching’ of jobs bemoaned

Suburban officials say Columbus’ gains are their loss
Monday, August 28, 2006
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH (Columbus, OH)
By Mark Ferenchik and Jim Woods

When Alliance Data Systems announced plans to move its 529 jobs from Gahanna to the Easton area in Columbus, Gahanna City Council President Tom Kneeland thought, "That’s enough."

The suburb recently lost more than 300 jobs to Columbus when EMH &T engineers moved to the Northeast Side, and Grange Insurance transferred 60 jobs from Gahanna to its headquarters just south of Downtown.

Last month the state dealt Gahanna its latest blow by allowing Columbus to offer tax breaks to lure Alliance Data Systems.

Kneeland was so upset that he met with Columbus City Council President Matt Habash to complain about it.

There’s been a lot of talk the past few years about the need for communities to cooperate to create jobs instead of taking them from one another.

Kneeland thinks it’s hooey.

"The problem I have with the mouthing of the words ‘regional cooperation’ is that’s what it is — mouthing," Kneeland said. "When it originally began, there were a lot of good intentions. But it really amounts to nothing but good talk."

http://www.dispatch.com/news-story.php?story=dispatch/2006/08/28/20060828-C1-02.html

Issue #1: Cuyahoga might not qualify for grants

Land requirements would be hard to meet

Sunday, April 09, 2006
Thomas Ott

A new state grant program is supposed to help Ohio compete for major development, but proposed rules might keep Cuyahoga County out of the game.
http://www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer

Details: Cuyahoga County, the District One Public Works Integrating Committee (DOPWIC), the City of Cleveland, the Cuyahoga Mayor’s and Managers Association, the Greater Cleveland Partnership are working in conjunction to propose revisions to the criteria to provide more opportunity for Northeast Ohio to participate in the Third Frontier Jobs Ready Sites Program run by the Ohio Department of Development (ODOD).

An Oregon program, similar in mission and used by ODOD as a model, has minimum land requirements of between 3 and 25 acres far below the initial ODOD proposed 150 –250 acre minimums.

Industrial Development Profile Matrix

It should be made clear that there is full support for rural and exurban development opportunities but that due to workforce and infrastructure limitations that currently exist, and that essentially zeroing out the urban areas which provided the needed support for passage of the Third Frontier bond issue last November, is inherently unfair, we are jointly pursuing a more equitable set of criteria.

Issue #2: EPA Weighs Easing Rules on Toxic Air Pollutants

By Elizabeth Shogren  
Morning Edition, April 4, 2006

A leaked document from the Environmental Protection Agency suggests that the agency is considering a significant change in air-pollution rules. It would give chemical factories, refineries and manufacturing plants new leeway to increase emissions of pollutants that cause cancer and birth defects.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5321132

Environmental Protection Agency Draft Rule
Environmental Protection Agency Internal Letter

New law expected on pollution regulation

Opponents critical of 'bad air bill'
Wednesday, March 29, 2006
By T.C. Brown

Columbus -- The state Senate Tuesday approved a bill that critics say will cause Ohio to lose traction in cleaning its dirty air but that proponents cheer as an economic boon for the state.
http://www.cleveland.com

126th General Assembly Amended Substitute Senate Bill Number 265

Details: Because our region is currently in non-attainment and federal dollars are at stake, any move to relax pollution standards, by even modest measures, could jeopardize our compliance attainment.

Both House and Senate passed SB 265 for Governor Taft to sign. In conjunction with the proposed rule changes at US EPA, it will be extremely difficult for NOACA region to return to attainment compliance.
http://www.noaca.org/sipplan.html

Sharing the Big Picture: 3 Burgeoning Towns on Tucson's Edge Are Key Partners in Regional Economic Planning

August 27, 2006
The Arizona Daily Star (Tucson , AZ)
By Richard Ducote

Metro Tucson's economic development efforts now appear more coordinated than ever before. But that doesn't mean the three incorporated suburbs are forsaking their own economic interests.

The towns of Oro Valley, Marana and Sahuarita participate to varying degrees in Tucson Regional Opportunities Inc., the superagency created in July 2005 to coordinate the region's job recruitment, retention and expansion efforts.

The three communities also have a local focus on their own economic development concerns.

But none of the towns' individual efforts dilute the move toward regionalism, TREO's chief observes.

http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/143830.php

Area officials team up to manage growth

Municipalities, schools are hoping that by combining efforts they can capitalize on land on Ohio 73 and U.S. 42.
Thursday, August 24, 2006
The Western Star (Warren County, OH)
By Lawrence Budd

The communities that comprise Wayne Local Schools — as well as the school district — are working together to develop a plan to manage growth transforming much of Warren County.

Officials from Waynesville, Wayne Twp., Corwin and Wayne Local Schools have turned to Wright State University for help in fashioning a comprehensive plan — a step toward reaching regional consensus on where businesses, parks and other joint developments should be located among housing subdivisions sprouting up around the community.

http://www.western-star.com/news/content/news/stories/2006/08/24/ws082406waynegrowth.html?cxtype=rss&cxsvc=7&cxcat=7

Smart Growth Resource Library

National Technical Assistance Training Program

The Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) mission is to lead the federal economic development agenda by promoting innovation and competitiveness, preparing American regions for growth and success in the worldwide economy. Through its National Technical Assistance program (NTA Program), EDA works towards fulfilling its mission by funding research and technical assistance projects to promote competitiveness and innovation in urban and rural regions throughout the United States and its territories.

EDA is soliciting applications to undertake curriculum development and training for economic development practitioners for the concept of regionalism. This research project seeks to create training materials and tools for local community and economic development practitioners to embrace the concept of regionalism and construct cluster development initiatives, and to develop a curriculum for enhancing the capacity of economic development practitioners to understand these ideas.

The expected number of awards is 2, with an estimated program funding total of $500,000. Applications must address all project components.

Applications for funding under this program must be received by the EDA representative listed in this competitive solicitation no later than August 30, 2006 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

For more information please visit the resource link below.

Resource: http://www.grants.gov/search/search.do?oppId=10459&mode=VIEW http://www.smartgrowth.org/library/

In search of youth

Posted: 08.15.06
Greater Baton Rouge Business Report
By JR Ball, Executive Editor

Baton Rouge really wants young professionals to move here. Too bad we have little of what attracts them--and we seem compelled to destroy what they want.

Stop me if you've heard this before: Baton Rouge and its partners in regionalism really, really want to attract more young, college-educated professionals to our fair region.

http://www.businessreport.com/newsDetail.cfm?aid=9378

Hope springs amid YPs at Bold Fusion

August 6, 2006
CINCINNATI ENQUIRER (Cincinnati, OH)
By Pamela Fisher

Fill a room with young cultural creatives bent on changing their little corner of the world, politicos and media types, and the dialogue is sure to be heady.

I dropped in on last week's YP summit, the Bold Fusion Conference, and while the debate grew heated, the passion was refreshingly authentic as hundreds of Cincinnati's young professionals vented and raved about our town.

Hot topics? A spirit of regionalism versus parochialism: synergy between regional attractions and entertainment districts as opposed to the spirit of competition that has plagued the Main Street vs. Newport on the Levee debate. Over-the-Rhine crime and its impact on surrounding theaters and galleries. And most surprising, rowdy cheering for a smoking ban - which might improve not only the health of clubbers, but the balance sheet for club owners. The room erupted in applause and voted 90 percent in favor of a smoking ban.

http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060806/ENT07/608060311

Charlotte shifts gears, decides to take regional water approach

The county is looking into relying on the Peace River water authority for its supply in the future.
August 4, 2006
The Herald Tribune (CHARLOTTE COUNTY, FL)
By Zac Anderson

Charlotte County has resisted the idea of ceding control of local water to a regional authority for years.

That changed Thursday, and it could have major implications for a four-county region that also includes Sarasota, Manatee and DeSoto counties.

In fact, Charlotte officials are thinking about getting out of the water business altogether.

Facing the prospect of losing millions in state grant money, Charlotte County commissioners backed away Thursday from demands they had made on water projects in the county.

Then commissioners went a step further and directed staff members to pursue the prospect of making the Peace River/Manasota Regional Water Supply Authority the county's sole water provider, a move that could help bolster the water authority's influence in the region.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060804/NEWS/608040363

Commissioner race has 2 very educated candidates

Both say they're seeking elected office to make a difference
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Ann Arbor News (Ann Arbor, MI)
By Art Aisner

The race for the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners seat in the 7th District is between two Democratic candidates seeking a new beginning, of sorts. There is no Republican Party challenger waiting in the wings to face in November.

Commissioner Mandy Grewal, D-Pittsfield Township, who was appointed to the board in April, is eager to emerge from any remaining shadows left by the man she replaced, two-term commissioner Robert Brackenbury, her husband. She also is eager to advocate her own agenda on public safety, economic development and regionalism.

Bob Davidow, a Detroit native who recently returned to Michigan after more than 40 years living out of state, is a retired law professor and public defender who is looking for new challenges.

www.mlive.com

Summit promotes regionalism

Friday, July 28, 2006
The Ironton Tribune (Ironton, OH)
By Kirsten Stanley

PROCTORVILLE -- Where there are two or more gathered good things can happen.

That was the message Thursday night during the inaugural Regional Summit Meeting, sponsored by the Southeast Lawrence County Kiwanis Club. Advantage Valley, an economic development corporation working in 11 counties in Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky, also played a key part in the summit’s conception. Organizers say the idea of the event was to bring together people from all backgrounds and professions to work toward one common goal: regional economic success.

www.irontontribune.com

Tax woes plague cities

July 29, 2006
Cincinnati Post (Cincinnati OH)
By Dan Hassert

Crestview Hills and Lakeside Park are similarly sized -- 3,362 and 2,687 people, respectively. They both feature expensive homes, median value, $153,400 and $135,500. And their residents have on average some of the highest-paying jobs in Northern Kentucky, with per capita income, of $37,899 and $29,711, respectively.

But when it comes to raising tax revenue, the neighboring Kenton County cities are on different planets.

…The solution, the group and others say, is for regional approaches to things like zoning, government services and taxes.

"If we don't as a region start to (pursue) joint agreements and consolidation of services, ultimately we will be taxed to the point where it's not economically feasible to live anywhere without being taxed to death," Covington's Edmondson said.

Will that happen?

Edmondson is pessimistic: "This community is not ready to talk of regionalism."

But others say financial pressures will eventually force city officials to give up autonomy.

"We can't continue to function as we have in the past," said Moorman, a veteran of annexation wars and years of debate over consolidating services. "Necessity is going to require (officials) to stop and analyze how we can do this better."

But, Campbell County Administrator Robert Horine said, it won't happen quickly.

"Things have a way of surfacing and ultimately forcing people to take some action," he said. "But it's going to proceed at a place citizens are comfortable with and elected officials on both the city and state level are comfortable with."

news.cincypost.com

NLGN think tank calls for new way ahead for regional policy in England

2006-07-28
Public Technology.net (UK)

The New Local Government Network this week published a new pamphlet written by Ed Balls MP, Economic Secretary, HM Treasury, John Healey MP, Financial Secretary, HM Treasury and Chris Leslie, Director, NLGN. It points a new way ahead for regional policy in England as a means of driving growth and prosperity, and exploring options for reform of governance and accountability in the years ahead.

Building on decentralisation and devolution in Scotland, Wales and London, the authors suggest a new approach needed to reflect the evolving role of local government, Regional Development Agencies, regional assemblies, Parliament and Government itself. Seeking to take the debate on regionalism forward, the pamphlet argues for greater devolution to the regions and local government, and greater collaboration within city regions without imposing fixed models or new governance structures on our towns and cities.

www.publictechnology.net

Birmingham Chamber VP named Ford Foundation Fellow

30 Fellows named nationwide in Inaugural Program
7/27/2006
The Birmingham Times (Birminham, AL)
By Special To The Times

Birmingham, Ala. - The American Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) has announced 30 fellows of the Ford Foundation Regionalism and Sustainable Development (RSD) Fellowship, and Birmingham will be counted among the prestigious group.

www.thebirminghamtimes.com

Regionalism brought to forefront in water debate

Sunday, July 23, 2006
Independent Tribune (Charlotte, NC)
By Eric C. Deines

Regionalism is a term that has been echoed around the Greater Charlotte area. It has come in the form of economic development and utility and governmental services.

And basically, it means the Charlotte region should operate as one large community, assisting one another when need be.

But its strength has been tested with the proposal from Concord and Kannapolis to draw water from the Catawba and Yadkin riverbasins.

www.independenttribune.com

Blacksburg, Roanoke leaders' community views differ

A study from the former Center for Regional Studies validated that the communities often don't work well together.
July 22, 2006
Roanoke Times (Roanoke, VA)
By Ray Reed

Roanoke's and Blacksburg's futures are so closely connected that their leaders need to work together, former Roanoke Mayor Noel Taylor said two decades ago.

Today, despite valiant efforts by a few people to make cooperation happen, the two metropolitan areas pursue separate goals more than many people think.

A study by the former Center for Regional Studies in Blacksburg finds that "there are significant differences between the leaders' views and relationships in the New River Valley and Roanoke."

www.roanoke.com/business

Taking a step forward toward regionalism

July 21, 2006
The Buffalo Times (Buffalo, NY)
Teresa Sharp

WILSON -- The Town of Wilson wants to enter into a state-sponsored, shared assessment program with the City of Niagara Falls that would give the town a one-time payment of $37,000 -- and the city $240,000. The Town Board Wednesday voted unanimously to pursue the partnership, and the Niagara Falls City Council will consider it at its next meeting, July 31.

www.buffalonews.com (archived- no longer available on-line)

RITA to give $4.3 million surplus from 2005 to its communities

Thursday, July 20, 2006
Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH)
By Thomas Ott

The Regional Income Tax Agency handed out larger refunds this year - to city governments.

RITA, which typically withholds 3 percent of the money it collects to pay its own expenses, parceled out a $4.3 million surplus from last year. That's about $3 million more than the previous year.

The agency spent more than $11.6 million last year to collect $541 million.

www.cleveland.com/news/plaindealer

Grant for city-county pipeline in doubt

Official cites county's water reservation goal
07/20/06
Sun Herald (Sarasota, FL)

SARASOTA -- If Charlotte County doesn't drop its demand to have a first right to buy Punta Gorda's surplus water before a regional water supplier can export it, then the Southwest Florida Water Management District will erase $8.5 million in grants for local water projects from its budget.

www.sun-herald.com

Summit focuses on area growth

S.C. commerce official to speak
July 16, 2006
The Sun News
By Lisa Fleisher

S.C. Secretary of Commerce Joe Taylor will be the keynote speaker at the fifth annual Growth Summit, an event that brings public and private leaders together to focus on the region's economic challenges.

The theme for this year's summit, to be held Aug. 11 at Coastal Carolina University, is "Harnessing our Collective Power" and will build on past presentations regarding regionalism and shared problem solving.

www.myrtlebeachonline.com

Political Barriers Giving Way to Cooperation, Mayors Say

July 11, 2006
The Business Journal (Youngstown,OH)
By Dan O’Brien

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- The political and parochial divisions that hampered growth in the past are slowly eroding, ushering in a new era of cooperation between cities, counties and development agencies in the Mahoning Valley.

That’s the consensus of Youngstown Mayor Jay Williams, Struthers Mayor Dan Mamula and Warren Mayor Michael O’Brien, guest speakers at a forum Monday hosted by The Unitarian Universalist Church that focused on the benefits of a regional approach to economic development.

www.business-journal.com

Regionalism Seen As A Means Of Preserving Cape Character

July 6, 2006
Cape Cod Chronicle (Cape Cod, MA)
By William F. Galvin

HARWICH -- Regional issues are growing and not being addressed, members of the Cape Cod Business Roundtable told selectmen here in a session that sought to get local officials to look regionally at the needs of Cape Cod.

Earlier this spring the group developed a “call to action” platform, identifying several key areas vital to the Cape’s future. The group identified the needs for enhanced regional service delivery; a regional workforce housing strategy; establishing a Cape-wide transfer of development rights; refining the focus of the Cape Cod Commission; and using a regional authority to designate districts of critical planning concern.

http://www.capecodchronicle.com

Striving for Reel Regionalism

Tuesday, July 4, 2006
Port Folio Weekly (Hampton Roads, VA)
By Jean Laidig

When the bad guys bombarded the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel in Mission: Impossible III, Jeff Frizzell was the film location manager who had made the arrangements. But that pyrotechnic fight scene extends far beyond the movie to the establishment of the Hampton Roads Film Office (HRFO) and to Frizzell’s position as its Commissioner.

http://www.portfolioweekly.com

Polk County Judge Elected to NARC

06/30/06
KTRE TV East Texas Note (Nacogdoches, TX)

John P. Thompson, County Judge for Polk County in Texas was elected President of the National Association of Regional Councils (NARC).

http://www.ktre.com

Cavanaugh in line to be head of regional council

Mayor running unopposed for MAG
post June 30, 2006
The Arizona Republic (Phoenix, AZ) 
By Christine L. Romero

Goodyear Mayor Jim Cavanaugh is expected to be the new chairman of the Maricopa Association of Governments.

It's a prestigious position that has been held by Mesa Mayor Keno Hawker for the past two years.

MAG is a council of governments that serves as the regional agency for metropolitan Phoenix. It provides a regional forum for analysis, discussion and resolution of issues, including transportation, air quality, environment, regional development and social services.

http://www.azcentral.com

Autopsy lab collaboration with LSUHSC deserves support

June 29, 2006
The Times (Shreveport, LA)

Move the North Louisiana Crime Laboratory Commission and the LSU Health Sciences Center to the head of the class and hand them each a "spirit stick" when it comes to regionalism.

The 29-parish entity that oversees crucial laboratory work for criminal investigations is learning from the past and moving decisively to create a forensic crime center that can conduct autopsies and toxicology reports. LSUHSC is speeding along that goal, as well as making it more affordable, by donating a site for the center and the expertise of its forensic autopsy program.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com

New City Office Stirs Hopes for Overseeing Growth

Thursday, 29 June 2006
By The Arizona Daily Star, Tucson

OUR VIEW: Environmenal unit could help Tucson curb unsustainable urban sprawl and achieve broader regional coordination.

The city of Tucson created a new office this week. It would be easy to dismiss such an event as the normal shuffling of offices and personnel, but this could be different.

The Office of Conservation and Sustainable Development, a new division within the City Manager's Office, promises to coordinate city efforts to protect the environment as Tucson grows. It will also work with Pima County on efforts to protect the Sonoran Desert and our community's natural resources.

http://www.redorbit.com/news/

Knoxville Area’s Impressive Job Gains

MetroPulse (Knoxville, TN)
July 6, 2006

The Knoxville area’s robust economic growth this past year has yielded many benefits and, barring a business cycle downtown, would appear to bode well for impressive further gains.

…Knox County, which is the Development Corp.’s primary source of funding, is also proceeding in collaboration with Blount County and the cities of Alcoa and Maryville on the development of a 450-acre technology park at the southern tip of the Pellissippi Parkway. This $20 million undertaking that will seek to cultivate high tech businesses is a testament to County Mayor Mike Ragsdale’s advocacy of regionalism in economic development.

http://www.metropulse.com

Shetter is 2nd from Johnson on board

Published: June 21, 2006 04:31 pm  
Cleburne Times-Review (Cleburne, IL)
By Joy E. Cressler

BURLESON -- As a growing city, Burleson seems to make a distinct impression in the regional scheme of large-scale planning, and more so now that its top city official was elected to a position of leadership in a regional organization.

Mayor Ken Shetter was elected June 2 to the executive board of the North Central Texas Council of Governments.

http://www.cleburnetimesreview.com

Southtowns group goes regional

June 16, 2006
Business First of Buffalo (Buffalo, NY)
By Jim Fink

They never called it such but under everyone's radar screen is a collaboration of seven Southtowns communities practicing regionalism while others only talk about it.

The first Friday of every month representatives from the Towns of Evans, Eden, Brant and North Collins along with the Villages of Angola, Farnham and North Collins gather at a local eatery and openly discuss issues relating to tourism and economic development. They met under the banner of the Southtowns Community Enhancement Coalition.

http://www.bizjournals.com

Advantage Carolina restructures, sharpens its focus

Group's board shrinks to nine members from 32
June 16, 2006
Charlotte Business Journal
By Fred Tannenbaum

Regional planning organization Advantage Carolina is slashing the size of its board and making other changes in a bid to sharpen its focus and become more of a funding source than a manager of programs.

Under its revamped structure, the group will study and provide allocations for programs related to economic development, urban development, education and regionalism, says Blair Stanford, who heads the Advantage Carolina Foundation.

http://www.bizjournals.com

Thinking big for Madison County’s future projects

June 15, 2006 
Richmond Register (Richmond, KY)
By Bryan Marshall

With a continually growing Madison County, Berea Mayor Steve Connelly said the three local governments need to think big, tolerate their differences, subordinate their personal agendas and embrace the opportunities that cooperation offers.

http://www.richmondregister.com

Mayor blasts townships; they fire back

Bernero: Twps. don't support regionalism
June 12, 2006
Lansing State Journal (Lansing, MI)
By Tom Lambert

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero blasted the state's townships for standing in the way of economic progress during a recent event at Michigan State University.

During his speech, Bernero said township supervisors should "have their heads knocked together" for not supporting regionalism. He added the state's constitutional municipal structure makes it a "joke" to the rest of the nation.

The comments have drawn the ire of several local township supervisors, who received a letter from the Michigan Townships Association regarding the speech.

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com

Is this the cure for California?

June 10, 2006
Tracy Press (Tracy, CA)
By Dan Walters

SACRAMENTO -- When California became a state in 1850, its vast (153,693 square miles) and mostly unpopulated (fewer than 100,000 nonnative residents) lands were divided into 27 counties, two of which — Mariposa and San Diego — encompassed about half the state.

Ironically enough, were those 27 original counties to have survived intact, they would have roughly comprised what many 21st century civic reformers believe California needs: more regionalism. But that’s getting ahead of the story.

http://www.tracypress.com

Welcome to Madwaukee: Development along the I-94 corridor is creating a merged economic landscape

FRI., JUN 9, 2006
Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI)
By Ben Fischer

Even before groups like Dane County's Collaboration Council became the official voice of regionalism in the area, business advocates already eyed another possible avenue of intercity cooperation: Interstate 94.

As early as 2000, when the University of Wisconsin System sponsored the first of four Wisconsin Economic Summits, participants anticipated what might come from a joint effort to boost private-sector growth between Milwaukee and Madison.

http://www.madison.com

Sherwood: Energy key to economy

June 07, 2006
The Daily Item (Sunbury, PA)
By Karen Blackledge

MILTON -- "We have got to get hold of the energy issue," U.S. Rep. Don Sherwood said during Tuesday's Regional Economic Summit and Spirit of Enterprise Award Luncheon in the Turbot Hills Golf Club.

http://www.dailyitem.com

Water rate hikes likely to be lower

Council expected to trim Jackson proposal
Sunday, June 04, 2006
The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH)
By Olivera Perkins

Cleveland City Council will probably pass water rate increases Monday that are lower than the steep hikes Mayor Frank Jackson proposed as part of a novel regionalism plan.

http://www.cleveland.com

Roundtable Discussion - What To Do

Eleven community leaders, inside and outside government, brainstorm about saving the parks
June 4, 2006
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (Milwaukee, WI)

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel Editorial Board asked 11 principals and stakeholders in the Milwaukee County parks debate to brainstorm on some possible solutions to the financial crunch facing the parks. Their suggestions ranged from forming a separate governing entity with taxing authority to giving some facilities to municipalities to simply finding more efficiencies to a sales-tax referendum.

http://www.jsonline.com

Mackinac conference ends with optimism

June 4, 2006
The Oakland Press (Pontiac, MI)
By Sven Gustafson

MACKINAC ISLAND - This year's Detroit Regional Chamber Policy Conference ended on a bright note, with many attendees feeling that despite Michigan's challenges and despite potential election-year divides, the 2 1 /2-day event produced some tangible results.

The conference, which wrapped up Friday, produced a breakthrough of sorts in the perennially thorny area of mass transit with the announcement that former state Sen. John Hertel, a widely respected Macomb County Democrat, had been tapped to head the Regional Transit Coordinating Council. Hertel will be employed as a lobbyist and a kind of regional ambassador to build an improved and comprehensive regional bus system.

http://www.theoaklandpress.com

Regional cooperation is the rage at Mackinac

Edsel Ford II couldn't help but use the "R word."
Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI)
June 3, 2006
By John Gallagher

MACKINAC ISLAND -- Introducing a speaker this week at the Detroit Regional Chamber's annual leadership conference, Edsel Ford II quipped that he was going to have to resort to the "R word." Regionalism.

http://www.freep.com

Regional council will honor Vandergriff

Posted on Fri, Jun. 02, 2006
Star-Telegram (Arlington, TX)
By Neil Strassman

ARLINGTON -- Tarrant County Judge Tom Vandergriff will be honored at noon today by the North Central Texas Council of Governments at its 40th annual general assembly at the Hilton Hotel in Arlington.

Vandergriff is credited with spearheading the creation of the regional council, which was formed in 1966 to meet the common needs and planning activities of cities, counties and other political entities in urban North Texas.

http://www.dfw.com

Locals plan city future

May 31, 2006
Daily Progress (Charlottesville, VA)
By John Yellig  

What will Charlottesville look like in 2011? 

City staffers are drawing up the first five-year strategic plan for Charlottesville and want local residents’ input at a community meeting tonight.

The strategic plan, to be finished by the end of the year, will guide the City Council’s decisions during the coming years as it addresses issues ranging from education to transportation. It will bea broadly based policy document, different from the annual Comprehensive Plan that works on the neighborhood level to address specific needs such as public safety and street improvements.

Non-city residents also may attend the meeting, titled “In Our Backyard.” Such an approach is a reflection of Charlottesville’s role as a regional center, organizers said.

“One of the things that is important in the process is erasing the lines [between Charlottesville and Albemarle County],” said Susan Donovan, a county resident who serves on the committee and commutes into the city for work.

“Anyone who does anything in the city is welcome,” added Len Schoppa, a city-based memberof the strategic planning committee.

http://www.dailyprogress.com

Youth effort is succeeding

Knowledge Industry Partnership to stand on its own this fall
May 26, 2006
Philadelphia Business Journal (Philadelphia, PA)
By Peter Key

A collaborative effort to use area colleges to bring young people to the region and keep them here appears to be working and will be made into a permanent organization.

The Knowledge Industry Partnership will be relaunched this fall with the idea of turning it into a stand-alone nonprofit, said Josh Sevin, manager of knowledge industry initiatives for the city of Philadelphia.

http://www.bizjournals.com

Turf war may slow Michigan recovery

As powerbrokers ready for Mackinac, competing visions for region emerge.
Friday, May 26, 2006
Detroit Free Press (Detroit, MI)
By Daniel Howes  

It's got all the elements of a good civic catfight: Influential organizations led by big egos and backed by a lot of the same corporate money trying to come together to craft a master plan for southeast Michigan, whose leaders usually can't agree on much of anything.

There's a Ford family scion, Edsel B. Ford II, heading the Detroit Regional Chamber's "Design Regional Detroit" plan for 10 counties. There's the state's former economic development chief, Doug Rothwell, pushing Detroit Renaissance to focus on what its leaders know best -- growth and jobs -- to chart a "Roadmap to Renaissance."

That's just the beginning.

As Michigan's powerbrokers prepare for the chamber's annual Mackinac Policy Conference next week, the civic leaders who spend lots of time extolling the virtues of cooperation and denouncing turf wars are waging their own internecine battle in the name of regionalism.

http://www.detnews.com

Stuart calls for region plan

Central Florida effort combines seven counties
FLORIDA TODAY (Orlando, FL)
By Scott Blake

ORLANDO - Jacob Stuart wants you to think about -- and believe in -- regionalism.

It's the idea that communities shouldn't stand alone, but rather group themselves into regions to promote their common interests, which, according to Stuart, means planning for a more than doubling of Central Florida's population -- from 3.5 million to more than 7 million -- by 2050.

http://www.floridatoday.com

Mayor questions senior-center plan

Debate about workout space is latest snag over Tri-City's future
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH)
By Thomas Ott

Middleburg Heights -- Berea Mayor Joseph Biddlecombe says it's time for a new generation of senior centers.

Whether Berea, Brook Park and Middleburg Heights continue a 25-year partnership in the Tri-City Senior Center may hinge partly on the proposed design of a new building. Plans show space for traditional senior activities like bingo but lack fitness rooms and equipment for a breaking wave of physically fit baby boomers.

http://www.cleveland.com

Views diverge on need to merge

Community Leadership Conference panels disagree on benefits of consolidation.
Thursday, May 18, 2006
The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY)
By John Mariani

The morning sessions explained in detail how Onondaga County was lagging in population, job growth and personal income, and suffering from urban sprawl. The speakers agreed that some form of consolidation could provide solutions.

The afternoon round table at the Onondaga Citizens League's 2006 Community Leadership Conference showed one reason why the consolidation explored by the league's latest study may be difficult to achieve.

http://www.syracuse.com

Three will vie for primary race

All candidates running on Democratic ticket
May 18, 2006
Ypsilanti Courier (Ypsilanti, MI)
By Austen Smith, Editor

[Editor's note: The following mayoral candidates are partisan candidates who filed on or before Tuesday. Candidates with no political party affiliation have a July 20 deadline and write-in's have until Aug. 4.]

…The life-time Ypsilanti resident is also very big on expanding regional efforts throughout Washtenaw County. With the City of Ypsilanti in financial dire straits, along with other communities similarly feeling the economic pinch, Richardson said now more than ever is the time for people to work together…

…For other services, Pierce said a regional plan needs to be developed in order to save taxpayer dollars. He pointed to the Ypsilanti Community Utilities Authority and the Ypsilanti District Library as great success stories in regionalism…

...If elected, Schreiber said he would like to expand the city's relationship to Ypsilanti schools. He said that he knows a number of the school board members and likes the direction the city is already heading toward strengthen that relationship…

http://www.ypsilanticourier.com/stories

Planning expert keynote speaker at collaboration event

La Crosse Tribune (LaCrosse, WI)
May 13, 2006
By Reid Magney

Several years ago, collaboration advocates tried to merge the La Crosse Public Library with La Crosse County Library.

Both had vacant director offices, but city and county leaders couldn’t figure out a merger because of different funding levels and other political issues.

http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles

Two-state project ... Support critical to economic development

Bluefield Daily Telegraph (Bluefield, WV)
May 12, 2006

A tale of two Virginias may be leading straight to Bluefield. Last week, West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin and Virginia Gov. Timothy M. Kaine told the Bluefield Daily Telegraph they want to develop a dual-state plan to spark economic development in border communities.

http://www.bdtonline.com

Jackson creates a thirst for suburban job cooperation

May 10, 2006
Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH)
By Olivera Perkins

Public officials in Northeast Ohio have talked a lot about regionalism. In fact, they've talked and talked and talked. At seminars. At association meetings. With experts.

What has always been lacking is a plan and a leader who could unify the region.

But that may be nearing an end.

http://www.cleveland.com/news

Regional water planning discussion planned

May 8, 2006
The Mercury-Register (Oroville, CA)
By E-R Staff

A discussion about the move to regionalism in water will take place Thursday with a lineup of some of the state's top water leaders planned to appear.

The recently released California water plan includes an increased emphasis on regional planning. Each region has the task to work together with the various players and come up with plans that work for the environment and plan for water supplies.

http://www.orovillemr.com/news/chico/ci

Southern Indiana leaders buy into new economic goals

May 5, 2006
Business First of Louisville (Louisville, KY)
By Brent Adams

Kevin Bramer sees the economic development tide turning in Indiana at a time when his company is making a sizable investment in the state.

In about a month, Bramer, president of MedVenture Technology Corp., will be handed the keys to the medical-device manufacturing company's new 85,000-square-foot facility in Jeffersonville's North Port Business Centre.

http://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/stories

City hopes rate hikes easy to swallow

Tuesday, May 02, 2006
The Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH)
By Olivera Perkins

Mayor Frank Jackson wants steep water rate increases for the region over the next five years, but with them he offers an unprecedented regionalism push.

Cleveland would assume the tremendous costs of maintaining 3,600 miles of aging suburban water mains if the suburbs pledged to stop trying to steal employers from each other through financial incentives like tax abatements.

http://www.cleveland.com/community/plaindealer

Milwaukee area gains status in study

Region comes in No. 9 in productivity
April 30, 2006
Milwaukee Journal Sentinal (Milwaukee, WI)
By John Schmid

Call it Milwaukee's Interstate 94 question: Will the city follow the economic fate of rust-belt Detroit to the east or the bustling commercial hub of Minneapolis down the road to the west?

A new study of 118 American cities from the Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland suggests that the metropolitan Milwaukee region might be tilting more toward Minneapolis than some previous data suggest.

http://www.jsonline.com/story

Time is ripe for ' Red River Communities'

April 30, 2006
The Shreveport Times (Shreveport, LA)

It's one community; it's one economy.

But Shreveport-Bossier City, along with "urban villages" up and down the Red River need an identity that can both market the area and seal the deal on how we think of ourselves Regionalism isn't a new idea, but the concept of "Red River Communities" that can transcend political and economic turf protection got a much-needed boost following a weeklong assessment by a team from the Urban Land Institute. From a pedestrian bridge linking Shreveport and Bossier City riverfront attractions to a land-use master plan, barriers must be overcome and relationships improved.

http://www.shreveporttimes.com

Blacksburg candidates take on an array of issues

The incumbents stress livability issues and regionalism leading up to Tuesday's election.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Roanoke Times (Roanoke, VA)
By Tonia Moxley

BLACKSBURG -- Running among a field of well-connected incumbents and passionate newcomers in this year's Blacksburg Town Council election are two dark-horse candidates: Wendell Hensley and Frank Lau. Both have used their campaigns to broach subjects that have rarely shown up on campaign fliers or been discussed in candidate forums.

http://www.roanoke.com/news

GrowSmart Maine Expects ''Blueprint for Action'' to Become Basis of Statewide Conversation on Growth During Fall Elections

April 25, 2006
Smart Growth On-Line

Having launched a five-year effort last fall to safeguard the state's economic potential, unique landscape and quality of life against further abuses from sprawl, the Yarmouth-based nonprofit GrowSmart Maine group asked the Brookings Institution to draw up a ''Blueprint for Action,'' helpedit hold some 30 regional ''listening sessions in the past months,'' and invited the public to the final series of town meetings April 25, 26 and 27, the input from which will be crucial for the institute's blueprint expected by September, just in time, says GrowSmart Maine President Alan Caron in a press release, ''to become the basis for an expanded statewide conversation on Maine's future during the 2006 gubernatorial and legislative elections.''

http://www.smartgrowth.org/news

Changes at Pa. Economy League

April 21, 2006
Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia, PA)
By Thomas Ginsberg

Regionalism, a concept for economic development and political cooperation with a mixed record of success, is about to find a new home in Philadelphia.David B. Thornburgh, 47, a division director of the Pennsylvania Economy League and son of Dick Thornburgh, the former governor and U.S. attorney general, will take over a fledgling national group dedicated to regional development and bring it to Philadelphia.

http://www.timesleader.com

Mayor's race electrifies suburbs

Interest, involvement keen outside N.O.
April 21, 2006
Times-Picayune East Jefferson bureau (New Orleans, LA)
By Kate Moran

It is one of the most popular bromides in circulation these days, that Hurricane Katrina tempered parochialism by driving home the cultural and economic importance of New Orleans to suburban residents who sometimes nursed the illusion that they were insulated from the city and its problems.

http://www.nola.com/news

Lyndhurst pullout won't stop show

Other suburbs intend to build rec center
Thursday, April 20, 2006
Cleveland Plain Dealer
By Thomas Ott

Lyndhurst -- The city will be happy to share a recreation center with three other suburbs, but not if residents must pay higher taxes to build it, officials say.

Lyndhurst's decision not to join a unique taxing district jolts - but won't necessarily derail - a foray into regionalism that is bold for fragmented Northeast Ohio. Supporters say the recreation center would give four older suburbs a modern attraction they could not afford on their own.

http://www.cleveland.com/community/plaindealer

Regionalism needs a bit of mom's advice

Ft. Collins Coloradoan (Ft. Collins, CO)
April 17, 2006
By Linda Stanley

Since Mother's Day is just around the corner, I thought I'd pass along some of my mom's advice.

When I was a kid, my mom told me to "play well with other kids." She also told me that when these kids didn't play well with me, I didn't have to play with them anymore.

The same principle can be applied to regionalism.

http://www.coloradoan.com

Regional planning needs to move beyond talk

Miami Herald (Miami, FL)
April 17, 2006
By Lisa Gibbs 

I live in Plantation but drive to Miami to work, just like at least 275,000 other South Florida residents who commute across county lines daily.

I'm sure this goes without saying, but the commute is my least favorite part of the day. Creeping along in highway traffic, trying desperately to make the time productive with a variety of unsafe practices (yes, I confess, I BWD -- BlackBerry While Driving), I can't help but stew about all I could be getting done if I didn't have to spend two hours a day on the stupid road.

Transportation is one of those big, hairy problems this region's business and political leaders talk about all the time as requiring ''regional'' solutions. Key word: "talk."

There are regional planning councils, regionalism conferences, regional studies and regional policy plans. Those do good work. Yet why does it feel like not much has been accomplished? What will it take to turn plans into action?

http://www.thestate.com/

Regionalism: More relevant than ever

Southern Indiana, Louisville are one
Louisville Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY)
April 16, 2006
By Dale Moss

You want regionalism? Kentucky is in deeper than ever as a partner in new Ohio River bridges.

You want regionalism? A former mayor of Jeffersonville is chairman of the Regional Leadership Coalition.

http://www.courier-journal.com

Can counties bury hatchet?

Daily News Journal (Murfreesboro, TN)
April 16, 2006
By Erin Edgemon

Regionalism is a growing trend that allows counties to market themselves and be more competitive. It pulls together the strengths of a whole region to attract new companies. Everyone benefits from working together in this regional economy.

http://www.dnj.com

Hudson mayor wants to share property taxes

Talks sought with Twinsburg, Stow
Plain Dealer (Cleveland, OH)
Saturday, April 15, 2006
By April McClellan-Copeland

Hudson -- Mayor William Currin envisions his community and two neighboring cities sharing property taxes from new developments as a way to cut competition and make the tax base more equitable.

Currin, chairman of the Northeast Ohio Mayors and City Managers Association, said Monday that he has asked Twinsburg Mayor Katherine Procop and Stow Mayor Karen Fritschel to consider his tax-sharing idea.

http://www.cleveland.com

Summit shines light on region’s future

Seguin Gazette-Enterprise (Seguin, TX)
April 13, 2006
By Melissa Johnson

SEGUIN -- Central Texas growth and roadways under construction dominated discussion and seminars at the Texas Regional Economic Summit on Wednesday.

Lehigh Valley lawmakers applaud regionalism

Saturday, April 08, 2006
The Express-Times (New Jersey)
By Nick Falsone

Friday's word of the day was "regionalism."

About a half-dozen Lehigh Valley political leaders used it while describing a state bill intended to distribute revenue from a slots parlor in either Bethlehem or Allentown to both cities regardless of which parlor earns a license to operate.

http://www.nj.com/news/expresstimes

Mayors discuss economic growth

Friday, April 7, 2006
The Post and Mail (Columbia, IN)
By TJ Hemlinger

Regional economic development is a challenge that faces every community in northeast Indiana, and mayors from the area met Thursday for an opportunity to discuss the issue.

http://www.thepostandmail.com

Pact spawns water idea

Wednesday, April 5, 2006
The Sun Herald (Charlotte Harbor, FL)
By John Haughey

Charlotte County got more than it bargained for during Tuesday's Babcock Ranch deliberations -- a landmark water proposal.

If commissioners take a "regional approach" to tapping the ranch's water supplies, money for studies, engineering and transmission pipes will be available, said David Moore, executive director of the Southwest Florida Water Management District.

In addition, securing a permit from the South Florida Water Management District is more probable if viewed in the light of "regionalism," Moore said.

http://www.sun-herald.com/NewsArchive

JEDD plan on ballot in Boston

Deal with Falls to boost services
April 3, 2006
Akron Beacon Journal
By Sandra M. Klepach

Because 80 percent of its land is a national park, the township lacks any significant tax base. But that could change after the May 2 primary, when township voters will decide whether to form a joint economic development district with neighboring Cuyahoga Falls—a move to provide the township with cash.

www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/news

Over six years, economic landscape has evolved

The face of Northeastern Pennsylvania is changing
April 2, 2006
The Times-Tribune (Scranton, PA)
Outlook 2006 pg. 2
By John Murphy

When we published our first Outlook edition six years ago, regionalization was little more than a good idea, a notion that has been tried in various ways but without much success. The question posed most often then was why isn’t it happening more?

Today, the economic landscape is very much different.

www.adquest3d.com

Collaborative process produced report

Year-long effort brought region together to think about the future
April 1, 2006
The Kentucky Post (Cincinnatti, OH/N. Ky.)
By Dan Hassert

Northern Kentucky feels anxiety about the future, and its leaders don’t like it. In a nutshell, that explains the reasoning and urgency behind the year-long effort called Vision 2015.

news.kypost.com

Kilpatrick, Patterson discuss region

But quips dominate forum in Detroit
April 1, 2006
Detroit Free Press
By Marisol Bello

Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson traded barbs and jokes Friday morning at a forum aimed at airing the region's race and economic issues.

www.freep.com

Ford: Regionalism is key

Detroit, suburbs must work together, he says
March 29, 2006
Detroit Free Press
By Steve Neavling

Metro Detroit won’t crawl out of its slump until its leaders shatter racial, economic, political and geographic boundaries, Ford Motor Co. board director Edsel B. Ford III told a gathering of Macomb County movers and shakers Tuesday.

http://www.freep.com

Group aims to bolster business

Opportunity Florida stresses regionalism
March 29, 2006
The Tallahassee Democrat
By Nikki Beare

Representatives of Opportunity Florida, Northwest Florid’s largest economic alliance and a partner with the Gadsden County Chamber of Commerce, stressed the importance of a regional approach to economic development at a recent board meeting here.

http://www.tallahassee.com/apps/pbcs