Strategic Regional Issue #21 – Competing for Economic Development

Suburbs and cities are linked in a single regional economy, but numerous economic development organizations operate without a common mission, plan, or coordination and compete for economic development opportunities.

Objective

21.U. Local governments and other stakeholders should strengthen efforts necessary to support regional economic development practices.

Policy Recommendations

21.U.1. OKI will maintain the Elements of an Effective Local Comprehensive Plan, a model to link transportation, land use, economic development, public facilities, public health, housing, natural systems, recreation, intergovernmental coordination and capital improvements for use by local governments in the region. Local government comprehensive plans should be consistent, as appropriate, with the OKI Elements of an Effective Local Comprehensive Plan, and OKI will provide information and technical assistance to local governments for this purpose. (same as 1.A.1)

21.U.2. Local comprehensive plans should encourage cooperation with economic development agencies and major institutions in the region.

21.U.3. Local governments should support and participate in regional economic development partnerships to develop and nurture businesses that contribute to the needs of the regional economy.

21.U.4. Local governments should work together to establish a set of best practices that can be used to streamline local regulatory and permitting processes.

21.U.5. Local comprehensive plans should support coordinated economic development by encouraging the location of new or expanded business in areas currently served by public facilities and services and transit or in areas that are planned for infrastructure and service expansion.

21.U.6 . Local comprehensive plans should support clusters of related industries and businesses that export outside the region and have strong positive economic impacts, as identified through research at the regional level.