The Myth of Regionalism

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Is regionalism possible, or just a convenient fiction? Are there good examples of where regional collaboration – especially for economic development – has succeeded? This workshop, held during the NCACC's 2012 Annual Conference, provided planning guidance on the broader climate for economic development on the state and national levels. Presenters introduced case studies of communities that have successfully organized around regional economic development goals, including university collaboration, transportation and infrastructure projects, and target industry recruitment. Take-aways included how to avoid pitfalls common to regionalism, discerning strategies that are effective for a region to achieve economic development goals, and understanding how larger trends influence local planning.

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The Myth of RegionalismJon Roberts, Principal at TIP StrategiesNORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS Annual Conference, August 17, 2012

what is regionalism?

FLICKR & TWITTER ACTIVITY

STATE MAP

COUNTY MAP

PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY

POPULATION DENSITY (2010 CENSUS)

16 REGIONAL COUNCILS

NCDOT: METRO & RURAL PLANNING ORGS

TRANSPORTATION PLANNING BRANCH

RIVER BASINS

SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS

COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE RAIN, HAIL, AND SNOW NETWORK

REGIONS

WILDLIFE RESOURCES COMMISSION DISTRICT BOUNDARIES

ABC DISTRICTS

NC HOUSE DISTRICTS (2011)

NC SENATE DISTRICTS (2011)

CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICTS (2011)

state context

TOTAL UNEMPLOYED (NC)

439thousand

unemployed

THE JOBS CYCLE

EMPLOYMENT BY INDUSTRY SECTOR (NC)Since 1990, total manufacturing

employment has fallen by 390 thousand

health services and professional & business services are major employment drivers

INDUSTRY SHARE OF EMPLOYMENT (NC)

Manufacturing dropped from

26% to 11% of all jobs in 20 years.

This chart provides greater context for employment changes by comparing

the share of all jobs in North Carolina

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE BY COUNTY

June 2006 June 2009

June 2012

Unemployment rates remain elevated across most of the state with only

slight improvement around Charlotte and Raleigh/Durham.

METRO EMPLOYMENT TRENDS

Only Charlotte and Raleigh are showing clear signs of

recovery.

EMPLOYMENT TRENDS ELSEWHERE

More rural areas were hit by the recession even harder.

POPULATION PROJECTION, 2010-2020

Source: North Carolina State Data Center

Growth is expected to be concentrated around

Charlotte, Raleigh, Asheville, and the southeastern coast.

NC LABOR MARKET WILL TIGHTEN

Growth is expected to be concentrated around

Charlotte, Raleigh, Ashville, and the southeastern coast.

Are there good examples of where regional collaboration - especially for

economic development - has succeeded?

Where is regionalism most relevant?

What are the pitfalls associated with regionalism, and how can they be

avoided?

What strategies are effective in helping a region reach economic

development goals?

How do larger trends influence local planning?

CASES FOR A REGIONAL APPROACH

1. University collaboration

2. Transportation & infrastructure

projects

3. Healthcare and medical services

4. Marketing/target industry

recruitment

Racine County, WI

• Committed to a vision of the Chicago-Milwaukee Corridor

• Economic inter-connectedness.

• Starting work on version 6.O of the plan.

Tupelo, MS

• Since 1950, the community development foundation has invested in 10-year strategic plans.

• Known for the “Tupelo Miracle”

• Embracing sustainability

Round Rock, TX

Committed to higher education and medical as a focal point for future economic development.

Created an economic engine of their own.

Not content to be a suburb of Austin.

discussion

TIP STRATEGIES, INC.106 East 6th Street, Ste. 550

Austin, TX 78701512.343.9113

tipstrategies.com

thank you

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