Envision Saint John: The Regional Growth Agency ’s Post

BCID Executive Director Jim Durrett spoke with Atlanta Business Chronicle about the need to work together to build momentum in Buckhead. Learn more about the strategies shaping Buckhead’s future:

Reflecting on the enriching discussions from last week's Greater Memphis Chamber Chairman's Circle Economic Development Task Force Meeting during #EconomicDevelopmentWeek, where we delved deep into the backbone of our success: partnerships. Troy B. Parkes Gwyn Fisher shed light on how our collaboration with Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW) and EDGE: Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County has catapulted us to being one of the most recognized Economic Development Organizations in the region. These partnerships are not just about names on paper; they're the main drivers influencing site developers and companies when deciding where to establish roots. Why? Because of the unparalleled power capabilities and incentives we offer in Greater Memphis. It's the seamless communication about these entities that truly sets us apart, giving our region a competitive edge. Speaking of collaboration, Jennifer Emerson, Deputy Director at the Arkansas Economic Development Commission joined us to emphasize the importance of regionalism. In our tristate region encompassing Arkansas, Tennessee, and Mississippi, fostering partnerships is not just a strategy; it's a necessity for sustainable economic growth. But it wasn't all about talks and presentations. We also got an exclusive preview of MemMeasures, our regional dashboard crafted by GMERG and led by Tecora Murray. This dashboard isn't just data; it's actionable insights that pave the way for informed decisions and strategic planning. Stay tuned as the full report will be available this week via MemphisChamberReports.com. Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development #EconomicDevelopment #Memphis #InvestinMemphis #MakingMemphisGreater #MemphisBusiness

This is promising news for the City of Chicago and its economy. It's designed to be pro-growth, pro-development, and pro-investment. If you were to speak to anyone doing business in Chicago (and this likely is true for any large city), whether they be large downtown developers or those operating in disinvested neighborhoods, small business owners in low-income neighborhoods or large restaurant groups, they all have stories of frustrating interactions with bureaucracy. A progressive agenda can also be pro-growth. Let's check in a year from now and see how this plays out.

Our research breaking down what it takes for housing to pencil in the Bay Area and on missing middle housing were cited in the Biden Administration's 2024 economic report. Find the report here: https://lnkd.in/gVp5E4UX

New businesses are a key source of job growth, and tracking this indicator provides insight into a community's entrepreneurial environment, regulatory structure, and availability of critical business inputs such as labor and financing. Tampa Bay ranks 5th in our comparison set in this indicator at a rate of 11.50%

My old Urban Forum colleague and fellow Welshman John P. Houghton's policy briefings are always worth a close read - he gives us a great historical overview of the issue, beautifully summarises currently thinking, illustrates with fascinating anecdotes and usually has a host of good ideas that I can pass off as my own in order to sound clever in meetings. What's not to like? This one is all about high street regeneration - if that's on your radar, this is essential reading 👇 https://lnkd.in/eVSZkx2v

As a #Somerset business, can you help shape Somerset's economic future? Have a read, become part of the conversation 👇 Michael Cahill

Hopefully the plan is figuring out how to solve our existing problems in town, as well as around our schools like damaged streets, speeding in our school zones, & making it safer for all students who walk to school before we continue to keep building apartments/houses. Every morning when I drop my kiddos off at school, I can’t help but to be annoyed at the fact that so many people are such in a rush, they don’t take in regard for any student that may be walking to school. Our “small” city is growing. No doubt about that. But when the speed limit in the school zone is 25 and you have people going 35 constantly, it’s entirely aggravating. There’s never any police presence overseeing. Not to mention, the “back roads” which my main way to and from home, is constantly getting congested now due to adding more apartments/ houses and now a LAGOON. Peoples land/ranches have been bought out and our city can’t even fix the problems we have now. Or what about the fact that the streets are all uneven beyond what you expect. If you’re not going 10, you might misalign your vehicles. No speed limit signs posted so people go whatever speed they want to, and don’t even get me started on 380! It is the worst hwy going through town ever!! It’s dangerous to say the least. Two lanes each way, and constant accidents every day. Something’s gotta give. I hope she has solutions to move in the right direction.

The catastrophic Key Bridge collapse has disrupted businesses across Maryland. The Partnership has joined the new statewide Building Bridges to Recovery Coalition to better assess impacts and serve our region, alongside Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Greater Baltimore Committee, World Trade Center Institute, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other key partners.   Please take a few minutes to share how your business is being impacted and what resources would be most helpful. This feedback is critical to informing response and recovery efforts with key stakeholders like the Governor's Office and Maryland Department of Commerce.    Businesses of all sizes, industries and localities are urged to take the impact survey: https://bit.ly/3U9izUR More resources: https://bit.ly/4aMcZwZ    #KeyBridge #MarylandStrong #BaltimoreStrong 

I've been privileged to know Robert Mahrt for Erie City Council almost since moving to Erie. His experience building businesses and contributing to the community - and all of us who know him - will absolutely make a difference when he's elected to Erie City Council. But you know what goes beyond his experience? 1) His intelligence. Not just smart, but insightful and the ability to synergize multiple options into a meaningful whole. 2) His ability to communicate. Are you embarrassed yet by the other candidates and their stumbling and mumbling and nearly incoherent babblings about what they want to do for the future of Erie? We're all going to need someone who can clearly communicate what's happening now, what needs to happen and how to get to the future we all envision. 3) His ability to focus. Rob will absolutely NOT get distracted by the latest shiny object or the economic flavor of the day. 4) His ability to work collaboratively. Rob doesn't agree with everyone on everything because he is an independent thinker with a strong operational, entrepreneurial and financial background. At the end of the day, Erie City Council is the Board of Directors for the business that we call Erie. He's had that experience and works with a diverse group of people and I've seen him listen - truly listen - and bring more information to the discussion. 5) No, Rob isn't everywhere nor should he be. This isn't a game of 'face time' or selfies with umbrellas and signs or people being used as props. This is a campaign for the future of Erie for real discussions with serious people who are looking to impact our community and make a difference. He's working to figure out what's best for US, not his ego. 6) Of course he's going to reach out to people that can be supportive of his campaign and you should be embarrassed if he didn't. We need more people who are interested in being in the Party of "Erie" (not D or R) and I am offended that partisan hackery is part of this at all. The biggest problem with Erie City Council is overreach (and ego and half of whom come to meetings totally unprepared). Too much of what candidates are spewing isn't even the purview of Erie City Council. Sure, it's sounds nice . . . fix everything and a cherry on top but these candidates have no power over too many of the issues they are spouting about and it scares me to no end that their agenda isn't the agenda "FOR" Erie. So, IMHO, we need new people, new ideas, better experience and someone who will show up every single day - ready to get things done and work with people to do that - and be part of the solution. I'm not counting on the immature, rambling and feather bedding to get us out of the hole previous councils got us in to; if we do, we're screwed! But you know what I am counting on? People looking for Rob Mahrt for City Council and 'bullet voting' the 6th spot on the ballot. Join me, we need more Rob Mahrt to get us moving in the right direction.