MONTHLY UPDATE | APRIL 2014

Monthly Update is the email newsletter of the Alliance for Regional Development. For more information or to inquire about submitting content, please contact Kelly O'Brien at (312) 602-5148 or  kobrien@allianceRD.org.
A Word from President & CEO Kelly O'Brien
It’s not every day that someone sees  something magical occur. Calling the working team kick off magical may sound extreme but that is the best word to describe what I witnessed. Years in the making, the Alliance brought together stakeholders from key constituencies from the tri-state region to select actionable projects and start mapping out next steps. These steps are being followed up on now.  

Arriving at this point has not been easy, but knowing the obstacles that have been overcome only strengthens the resolve that we are on the right track. This region is poised to lead the nation in regional economic development—a concept that many other parts of the world have adopted. Yes, the OECD provided a 300+ page roadmap and now the members of the working teams and the Alliance management team will endeavor to make things happen.  
 
President Obama, in his 2014 State of the Union address, identified rising inequality as a national priority in need of a solution. Reversing such inequality was the focus of the recent OECD/Ford Foundation Workshop on Inclusive Economic Growth. Examples were provided from numerous countries showing that it is possible to reduce income inequality through policy interventions while maintaining strong growth. As the Alliance undertakes asset mapping and sector specific projects, it is important to remain updated on cutting-edge programs and theories and bring best practices to our work.

Never before has the world been so interconnected, yet cross-jurisdictional collaboration in support of regional economic development does not come naturally. Recently a farmer told me that it can take up to 88 years for a walnut tree to produce a nut. Some of the economic development “seeds” that are now being planted we may not see in our lifetimes, but our children will be grateful for our efforts. I know there are a lot of naysayers, and to those I say stay tuned—with the continued support of high-level stakeholders in government, academia, and the private sector from across the tri-state region, great things are underway.  

(Left to right:) Hunter Morrison, Director, NEOSCC; Doreen Gonzalez-Gaboyan, Community Development & Outreach, Purdue Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation; David Leucinger, Economic Development Analyst, WisDOT.
Working Teams Begin Multi-State Effort to Implement Territorial Review Recommendations and Other Collaborative Initiatives
On March 25, the Alliance for Regional Development welcomed more than 60 high-level leaders in business, government, and academia from across Chicago's tri-state region to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to begin identifying opportunities for collaboration that will help grow the regional economy. The workshop served as the kickoff event for the Alliance's yearlong foundational project to implement the recommendations of the OECD Territorial Review of Chicago's metropolitan area, including northeast Illinois, southeast Wisconsin, and northwest Indiana. The daylong workshop was facilitated by Purdue Center for Regional Development advisor Ed Morrison using Strategic Doing as a process for outcomes.
(Left to right:) Mike Mullen, Alliance Illinois Chairman; Dr. Carmel Ruffolo, Alliance WI Operational Chair, UWM & UWP; Dr. David Terrell, Alliance IN Operational Chair, Ball State University.
Transportation and Logistics strategy map.
The leaders formed themselves into four Working Teams and immediately began examining challenges and opportunities for regional economic competitiveness in the key areas of Human CapitalInnovationTransportation and Logistics, and Green Growth. The event was well-received by all in attendance, many of whom remarked at how much work they accomplished in a short time and how eager they were to help move forward the work of their individual Teams:
"I am happy to see the implementation phase of the OECD Review had such a strong start and the Alliance working team kick off was a true success. As someone who traveled with the tri-state delegation to present the findings to the OECD before the publication of the Review, I acutely understand the need to convene leaders to join forces across state lines and get to work. It's the only way we will see success and be globally competitive. The Alliance can count on me and my team. Together, we are going to make a difference."
-Hon. John Dickert, Mayor, City of Racine, Wisconsin

"The Alliance for Regional Development meeting on Tuesday was a positive well disciplined exercise in Strategic Doing. The collaboration and open participation brought forth great ideas that will result in both short and long term pathways to attract and retain business and grow talent for Wisconsin, Illinois and Indiana. I am confident that the exciting strategies put forth on Tuesday will serve as a model for the rest of the U.S."
--
Anne Edmunds, Regional Vice President, ManpowerGroup
"I was very pleased to be invited to and be part of such an important event, which is expected to produce something of value for the tri-state region. Not only was it a valuable daylong experience, but there are clear follow-up goals and tasks with a timeline. I noticed that Northwest Indiana was well represented. We at NIRPC look forward to continuing to work closely with those on the Transportation & Logistics working team leading to the Alliance’s Summit toward the end of 2014."
--Steve Strains AICP, Deputy Director/Director of Planning, Northwestern Indiana Regional Planning Commission
Innovation Working Team.
Human Capital Working Team.
In the early afternoon, each team presented its initial ideas to members of the Alliance Management Team in a "Shark Tank" forum. Mike Mullen, Dr. Carmel Ruffolo and David Terrell served as "Sharks" and provided insightful comments and critique for each of the four presentations. The day concluded with concrete next steps for each Team to continue its work. 
The Working Teams will meet independently over the next 12 months with the support of Alliance staff to draft implementation plans including projects that are scalable, replicable, and sustainable. All four Teams will come together quarterly to share progress and ideas. Working Team participants are asked to save the date of June 3, 2014 for the first quarterly follow-up workshop, to be hosted by Purdue University Calumet in northwestern Indiana.  
Transportation and Logistics Working Team.
Green Growth Working Team.
The Alliance Working Teams effort is a first-of-its kind project to explore the potential for large urban areas to cooperate across jursidictional lines to further the goal of regionwide economic development. Upon completion in 2015, the work of the Alliance and the Working Teams may serve as a pilot for other regions facing similar challenges.
If you have any questions regarding the Territorial Review implementation process or are interested in serving on a Working Team, please contact Alliance President & CEO Kelly O'Brien at  kobrien@allianceRD.org or 312-602-5148.
(Left to right:) Bo Kemp, Senior Advisor, Office of the Mayor of Gary; Mike Mullen, Alliance Illinois Chairman; Steve Forrer, Executive Vice President, AFCO.
Alliance Invited to Serve in Advisory Capacity for Gary Airport Redevelopment Project
In March, Alliance President & CEO Kelly O’Brien was invited to participate in a stakeholder visioning process to strategize the redevelopment of land adjacent to northwest Indiana's Gary/Chicago International Airport. The Alliance will provide a regional perspective to the visioning process, which aims at moving forward key job creation and workforce development goals for the airport and surrounding area. Earlier this year, the Gary/Chicago International Airport Authority unanimously approved a 10-year agreement with Virginia-based AvPorts to manage the facility and a 40-year agreement with AvPorts' parent company, Aviation Facilities Company Inc. (AFCO), to to serve as the airport's exclusive real estate developer. Alliance Illinois Chairman Mike Mullen served as a senior development strategist for the investment team. The new public-private partnership is planned to attract $100 in private investment over 40 years, including $25 million within the first three years, while maintaining full public control of the airport.  
Alliance Invited to Participate in OECD/Ford Foundation Workshop on Inclusive Growth Strategies
In February, President & CEO Kelly O'Brien was invited to represent the Alliance at the OECD/Ford Foundation workshop, "Changing the Conversation on Growth: Going Inclusive," at Ford Foundation headquarters in New York City. The second in a series of major workshops examining international economic growth efforts and policies, February's gathering explored methods for implementing strategies aimed at inclusive economic growth in urban areas and the role urban governments play in implementation. The Alliance also submitted an Op-Ed shared with workshop participants underscoring the importance of private-sector leadership in ensuring the success of cross-jurisdictional economic development efforts.
SAVE THE DATE: DECEMBER 19, 2014
The Alliance in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago will host the second annual Summit on Regional Competitiveness oDecember 19, 2014. The Summit will serve as an opportunity to brief stakeholders about the progress of the Alliance Working Teams and regional economic development. This high-level event will serve as a showcase for the power of cross-jurisdictional cooperation to move regional strategies forward. More information will be announced in the coming weeks.

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