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 A Much Needed Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development Strategies Course
by Rachel Selsky, Senior Economic Development Specialist
One in ten Americans are actively involved in entrepreneurship (either owning their own business or actively pursuing starting one) and between 600,000 and 800,000 new businesses are started each year.
There is no question that these small businesses are an important part of the national economy and they deserve the attention of economic development professionals. Last week, economic development professionals in the Northeast were fortunate to have the International Economic Development Council (IEDC) professional development training program return to New York State with a curriculum dedicated to this topic. In partnership with the Northeastern Economic Developers Association (NEDA) and Camoin Associates, IEDC hosted their Entrepreneurial and Small Business Development Strategies course in Albany, NY. The training program focused on issues related to how economic development professionals can support small businesses and entrepreneurs.
To learn more about this course and one of the sessions, click here.
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The Met Council: Overcoming Rivalry to Plan Regionally - Part II: An Innovative Agreement
by Christa Franzi, Economic Development Specialist
The Metropolitan Council is designed to plan for orderly development of the seven-county metro area as well as coordinate delivery of certain services that cannot be effectively provided by a single city or town. Over 300 separate units of local government, including 7 counties, 188 cities and townships, and 22 special purpose districts are located within this region, which is about 1.9 million acres in size - twice the size of Long Island. About 2.8 million people reside in the Twin Cities region.
At the creation of this Council, the region was divided into 16 districts with roughly equal population. Careful consideration of social and natural boundaries allowed delineation of districts with similar land use patterns, cultural heritage, natural habitats, development pressures, social identities, and biological cycles. Municipalities within each district are generally alike, they tend to face similar issues and have corresponding needs. Urban districts located toward the center of the region are smaller geographically compared to rural districts located near the region's edge. In total, 17 members serve on the Metropolitan Council, one from each district and a chair who serves 'at large'. Members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the State Senate. A new Council is appointed with each new term. Because they are appointed and not elected, Council members typically maintain a 'low key' presence.
To read more about the Met Council and what it does, please click here.
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Upcoming Economic Development Training Course
The International Economic Development Council (IEDC), in partnership with the Northeastern Economic Development Association (NEDA) and Camoin Associates, Inc., will be conducting an Economic Development Strategic Planning course on May 14-15, 2012 in Albany, NY. This highly interactive course lets participants work in small teams to help understand the complexity of strategic planning and its challenges.
To read more about this course and to register today, click here.
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The Uncertainty Principle: How States Can Improve Outcomes from Local Municipal Reorganization
by Michael N'dolo, Vice President
Local governments everywhere in the U.S. have been asked to "Do more with less" for many years now. In particular, across the Northeast, a movement has been afoot to trim costs through the consolidation, elimination or reorganization of various levels of local government. And yet, after many analyses, reports, public meetings and referenda, precious few communities have, in fact, undertaken a substantial municipal reorganization.
There are many reasons for this outcome, all of which have bearing on the future of the municipal consolidation movement. For some stakeholders, there is an issue with community identity and historic preservation. Others see it as a loss of adequate representation, control over local decisions and the comfort and protection of a tight-knit community bound together by an elected body. Some question the cost savings that might occur: how a presumably larger municipal entity could possibly deliver the same services at a lower cost and whether the costs and disruption of the transition will ever be recovered in presumed long-term savings. And then there is the all-important question of "fairness", as it is widely accepted that reorganizations typically shift tax burdens from one group to another, sometimes without the consent of those adversely affected.
To read more about how municipalities can deal with uncertainty in their reorganization, click here.
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Camoin in the News
Walkway study finds $24 million impact
The study, "Walkway Over the Hudson Economic Impact Update," determined that 48 percent of Walkway State Park's visitors come from outside Dutchess and Ulster counties and that they generate nearly $24 million while visiting.
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