#14 Support independent study of WI economic development competitiveness (File Res. #2010-688)Economic Development Department Memorandum
April 12, 2010
TO: City Council
FROM: Vic Grassman, Economic Development Director
SUBJECT: Action on a Proposed Resolution Supporting an Independent Study
of Wisconsin’s Business Climate and Economic Development
Competitiveness Relative to Other States (File Res. No. 2010-688)
Executive Summary
This resolution is to show non-financial support in the development and
implementation of a non-partisan study analyzing Wisconsin’s economic
development competiveness to encourage business growth and to attract new
companies. It will also provide recommendations as to how Wisconsin can
improve its business climate. Sponsored by three organizations, the Wisconsin
Economic Development Association, Competitive Wisconsin and the Wisconsin
Counties Association, these results will hopefully provide a benchmark and guide
line for future discussions about economic development by political leaders and
candidates for public office. The study should be completed in May or June 2010.
Economic Development Director’s Recommendation:
I recommend that this resolution be adopted for the following reasons:
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Upon adoption, the City of Janesville will be listed in the final written report
as a community that supports this effort and subsequent discussions
concerning any recommendations.
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I believe this is one more opportunity to show that Janesville is a pro-
active business community vitally interested in Wisconsin’s economic
development future and the resulting local impacts.
City Manager’s Recommendation:
I am supportive of the stated goals of the study.
Background
During the fall, 2009, three state wide organizations, the Wisconsin Economic
Development Association, Competitive Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Counties
Association agreed on a partnership to create a long-range economic
development strategy for Wisconsin. The agreement was made to hire a third-
party organization to do an analysis of Wisconsin’s overall regional, national and
global economic development competitiveness. This analysis would offer
recommendations to align and advance local, regional and statewide economic
development efforts. The study will build on previous economic development
studies but more importantly make solid implementable program and policy
recommendations to move Wisconsin forward. These recommendations will
create the framework for a new statewide economic development plan.
These three organizations have raised $300,000 to pay the selected consultant,
Deloitte Touche. The results are expected in May or June with the hope that
they will be the basis for future candidate discussions prior to the fall elections.
Upon completion of the plan, these organizations will be holding six meetings
throughout the state to explain the results and hopefully start subsequent
conversations. These groups are also in the process of raising an additional
$200,000 for implementation of this plan.
cc: Eric Levitt
Jacob Winzenz
RESOLUTION NO. 2010-688
A Resolution Supporting An Independent Study of Wisconsin’s Economic Development
Competitiveness and Positioning, Conducted By the Wisconsin Economic Development
Association (WEDA), Competitive Wisconsin, Inc. (CWI), the Wisconsin Counties
Association (WCA), and Wisconsin Economic Development Institute (WEDI)
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Economic Development Association (WEDA), Competitive
Wisconsin, Inc. (CWI), the Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA), and Wisconsin
Economic Development Institute (WEDI) are all Wisconsin-based statewide
organizations which have agreed to collaboratively conduct a research project that
examines Wisconsin’s overall regional, national, and global economic development
competitiveness and positioning; and,
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Economic Development Competitiveness and Positioning
Study will analyze Wisconsin’s capacity to retain and expand existing businesses, and
attract new business investment in a changing economic climate; and,
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Economic Development Competitiveness and Positioning
Study will offer program and policy recommendations to align and advance local,
regional, and statewide economic development efforts in Wisconsin; and,
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Economic Development Competitiveness and Positioning
Study will create the framework for a new, bold statewide economic development plan;
and,
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Economic Development Competitiveness and Positioning
Study will be prepared by an independent third-party consulting firm with significant
national experience in economic development policy, planning, siting, recruiting,
expansion, innovation, industry clusters, and comparative market analysis;
and,
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Economic Development Competitiveness and Positioning
Study will be publicly released and presented in numerous venues throughout
Wisconsin in Spring 2010; and,
WHEREAS, WEDA, CWI, WCA, and WEDI have requested support for the Wisconsin
Economic Development Competitiveness and Positioning Study from organizations and
governmental agencies interested in supporting economic development; and,
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Janesville wishes to support economic
development initiatives which result in improved economic conditions and business
growth throughout the State of Wisconsin; and,
WHEREAS, the Common Council of the City of Janesville authorizes this resolution in
lieu of financial support to WEDA, CWI, WCA, and WEDI in pursuit of this initiative.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Janesville that it hereby supports and endorses preparation of the Wisconsin Economic
Development Competitiveness and Positioning Study, conducted by the Wisconsin
Economic Development Association (WEDA), Competitive Wisconsin, Inc. (CWI), the
Wisconsin Counties Association (WCA), and Wisconsin Economic Development
Institute (WEDI).
ADOPTED:
MOTION BY:
SECOND BY:
APPROVED:
COUNCILMEMBER AYE NAY PASS ABSENT
Brunner
McDonald
Eric J. Levitt, City Manager
Perrotto
Rashkin
ATTEST:
Steeber
Truman
Voskuil
Jean Ann Wulf, City Clerk-Treasurer
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
City Attorney
Proposed by: Economic Development Director
Prepared by: Assistant City Attorney