Regional Community Development News - November 14, 2011
As of November 11, 2011, this newsletter has been going eight years – since 2003. The commitment is until 2013. It will continue using delicious links. Article text is trimmed to the delicious 1000 count limit. The geo-code system and topic tags included are a work in progress. "re:" is used a pre-tag meaning: region/regions/regional. They link to the collection of related items.
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Regional hoping - Behind the Scenes - EUobserver
http://blogs.euobserver.com/mahony/2011/11/10/regional-hoping/
It seems perverse to be wondering about possible new EU member states just now.
But others were doing just that in the European Parliament on Wednesday. Regionalists, devolutionists and soft nationalists – of academic and politic bent – gathered to discuss "The revival of nations in a context of economic turbulences".
(A provocative enough title when you think of how the austerity drive, low growth and rising unemployment across Europe risks provoking populism and nationalism. But still. ).
This was not about letting countries as yet outside the EU in. But about creating new little countries within the EU. And then letting these new entities in.
That little can of worms.
Scotland is the poster child for the 'internal EU enlargement' movement. Its independence party, the Scottish National Party, won an outright majority for the first time this year. It is set to seek a referendum on independence in the latter part of its five-year mandate.
1000.EU.European.Union
re:independent
re:nationalism
re:devolution
1116-02-Scotland
San Francisco Bay Area Wants to Be EV Capital of the US
The San Francisco Bay Area launched a CEO-level "EV Strategic Council" to make it the "EV Capital of the U.S."
Their target is to have 100,000 electric vehicles (EVs) in the Bay Area by 2015.
"This is the beginning of a new era of strategic collaboration to build a low-carbon economy in the Bay Area. With nearly half of our greenhouse gas emissions coming from the transportation sector - and our regional economy extremely vulnerable to oil price hikes and supply disruptions - making sure this region leads on EV is absolutely essential," say executive officers of the Bay Area's three largest regional agencies in a joint statement (Association of Bay Area Governments, Bay Area Air Quality Management District, and Metropolitan Transportation Commission).
Led by the region's big city Mayors, regional officials and clean tech industry executives, the Council is developing an electric vehicle infrastructure and announced series of grants and initiatives:
re:trans.electric.vehicles
5140-50-05-Bay.Area-San.Francisco-ABAG
re:mayors
re:greenhouse-gas
EU, ASEAN and the prospect of regionalism | The Jakarta Post
http://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2011/11/14/eu-asean-and-prospect-regionalism.html
For many years, especially in the aftermath of the Cold War, the European Union (EU) was a source of inspiration. It inspired other countries around the world to embrace regionalism.
Mark Beeson (2004) argues that regionally based interactions are central components of the international order at the start of the 21st century. ... Harvard professor Danny Roddick ... "political trilemma of the world economy". Under this scenario, economic globalization/regionalization, political democracy and the nation-state are three irreconcilable things. At most, only two, not all, can work together at the same time. In that sense, to build up regionalism, the EU deals with this trilemma by radically advancing economic union and democratization, while maintaining the fundamental principles of national sovereignty. European leaders have confirmed that economic integration needs to have a political leg to stand on. ... downturn in Europe could eventually lead to worries over the future of regionalism …
8000.ASEAN
re:regionalism
re:economic.union
re:integration
re:globalization
re:regionalization
Indian Ocean nations eye greater economic, security cooperation - Economy and Po...
http://www.livemint.com/2011/11/14235955/Indian-Ocean-nations-eye-great.html?h=B
India will aim to revitalize economic and security cooperation among Indian Ocean nations this week as it hosts a meeting of the 18-member Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC).
With nearly half the international container traffic and more than 70% of crude and and oil products passing through the region, according to Indian government data, the importance of the Indian Ocean as a trade corridor and energy highway is undeniable.
The IOR-ARC bloc was formed in Mauritius in 1997, bringing together countries from Australia to Singapore and Indonesia to Yemen, but has not been too successful in deepening regional cooperation.
That is what founder member India will hope to change when it chairs the 15-16 November meeting.
9000-IOR-ARC-Indian.Ocean.Rim.Association.for.Regional.Cooperation
re:security
re:international
re:trans.freight
re:trade
re:corridor
NE Indiana Delegation Visiting China - INdiana Business
http://www.insideindianabusiness.com/newsitem.asp?ID=50772#middle
In collaboration, Fort Wayne Sister Cities International, the Northeast Indiana Regional Partnership and a group of local leaders are traveling to Taizhou, China, this week to foster a growing relationship that could bring about a formalized Sister City status and future business investment. …
This visit is the next step in a series of meetings between the two cities to explore economic development and cultural possibilities. It is expected to result in mutually beneficial connections that will impact all areas of Northeast Indiana, including secondary and higher education, entrepreneurship and advanced manufacturing.
The city of Taizhou is located in the province of Zhejiang, which has been a Sister State to Indiana for more than 20 years. On the eastern coast, Zhejiang province is a prosperous and growing region just south of Shanghai. Indianapolis is a Sister City to Hangzhou, also in the Zhejiang province. …
5140-29-03-Northeast-Fort.Wayne
8140-0x-Zhejiang
re:sister.cities.regions.provinces.states
re:visitation
Development Projects to Compete for Money From New York State - NYTimes.com
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/nyregion/development-projects-to-compete-for-money-from-new-york-state.html
Think of it as "American Idol" for policy wonks and economic development types.
Combining two national obsessions — job creation and beauty-pageant-style competition — 10 regional councils across New York State must submit by Monday detailed five-year economic development proposals for $200 million that will go directly to the councils for projects in their area. In addition, a pool of $800 million will be available to individual applicants.
The project is Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo's game plan for economic development …
The theory behind the process is that rather than doling out pork ad hoc; … state support for economic development should flow from a realistic, on-the-ground assessment of regional economies, resources and opportunities.
How much this proves to be an abstract exercise and how much it produces actual jobs remains to be seen. Still, almost everyone involved in the process and many outside it give Mr. Cuomo high marks for his framework …
5140-07-00-Economic.Development.Councils
re:development.economic
re:plan
re:competition
re:policy
re:job.creation
re:state
Programs look inside the region's diversity
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/11/13/2764624/programs-look-inside-the-regions.html
Crossroads Charlotte is helping the region's international community get better acquainted with others who live here.
It's a chance for learning on both sides.
"Many Cultures, One Community" is a series of programs and workshops that continues through Dec. 3 for anyone interested in learning about the people who make the Charlotte region diverse, and networking with them.
For the finale, Crossroads Charlotte plans a communitywide event where it will launch a new online database that compiles information about and access to the international community.
"This is a way to connect dots," said Ana Lucia Divins, one of the project's leaders.
5140-15-06-Centralina-Charlotte
re:diversity
re:immigration
re:culture
re:community
Reading L.A.: The Olmsted Brothers plan and what might have been - latimes.com
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/culturemonster/2011/11/reading-la-the-olmsted-bartholomew-plan-and-what-might-have-been.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CultureMonster+%28Culture+Monster%29
… 1930 Olmsted-Bartholomew Plan for the Los Angeles Region … commissioned … Chamber of Commerce. … "Los Angeles County had far fewer acres devoted to playgrounds and parks relative to other metropolitan areas." The leaders of the chamber … took it upon themselves to raise money for a report and design plan. The Olmsted office …, was already familiar with Los Angeles, having prepared two major landscape and mobility studies for the region earlier in the 1920s. … "Major Traffic Street Plan" for L.A. that the introduction notes "fixed the system of north-south, east-west boulevards at one-mile coordinates" that "remains the primary surface street route for regional transportation to this day." firms ultimately produced for the Citizens' Committee was a report –- "Parks, Playgrounds and Beaches for the Los Angeles Region" -- of astonishing sophistication and farsightedness. …'This is going to happen, and this is your moment to do something about it or you'll miss your chance.'
5140-50-02-Southern-Los.Angeles-SCAG
re:history
re:recreation
re:parks
re:beaches
Collaboration Taking Higher Profile in U.S. Forest Service
http://politicalnews.me/?id=9916
The use of collaboration and increased public involvement to address contentious federal land management issues is a welcome development, according to Idaho Senator Mike Crapo. Crapo noted the promotion of Region 1 Forester Leslie Weldon to become the new Deputy Chief for the U.S. Forest Service.
Crapo said Weldon has been an active supporter and participant of the Clearwater Basin Collaborative (CBC), an advisory group Crapo helped establish more than three years ago to find solutions to contentious land management and wildlife issues in Idaho's Clearwater Basin.
"The U.S. Forest Service has been an active participant in the Collaborative and I credit the agency with being at the forefront of this collaborative, problem-solving effort and working with Congress to fund joint initiatives that are bearing fruit," Crapo said. …
5140-41-00-Idaho
re:collaboration
re:forest
re:land.management
re:agency
re:federal
Unified economic development strategy urged - JSOnline
http://www.jsonline.com/business/unified-economic-development-strategy-urged-0l2vj9b-133749543.html
... Also, Milwaukee 7 uses what it calls a "strategic framework," with a focus on job retention and growth in industries such as manufacturing, food production and water technology, said Pat O'Brien, executive director of the public-private group.
Milwaukee 7's efforts have included attracting companies from Italy, Germany and other locations outside the state.
The agency has just started working with the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to create what the federal government calls a "comprehensive economic development strategy," O'Brien said. He said that document will update Milwaukee 7's strategy, and make the region eligible for grants from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
Henken said while Milwaukee 7 "has a very solid plan," it still falls short of a larger "cohesive vision."
5140-31-06-Southeastern-Milwaukee
re:strategies
Gazette.Net: Baltimore-Washington region's aging infrastructure a roadblock to g...
http://www.gazette.net/article/20111111/NEWS/711119981/1123/baltimore-washington-region-s-aging-infrastructure-a-roadblock-to&template=gazette
"All economic growth and job creation starts with mobility, transportation resources that enable individuals to get to and from work efficiently and products to be transported in an expedited manner." — Donald C. Fry, president and CEO of the Greater Baltimore Committee and member of the Blue Ribbon Commission on Maryland Transportation Funding.
"The region that does not move is the region that fails." — Montgomery County Planning Department Director Rollin Stanley.
Of the dozens of business, government and academic leaders interviewed for this report, most agreed on the need to resolve highway congestion that stretches from the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., to the Baltimore region, while also repairing the region's aging infrastructure of roads and bridges.
"Maryland's reluctance to address stagnant transportation funding has resulted in billions of dollars of backlogged highway and transit projects that are planned but not funded for construction, ...
5140-11-04-Baltimore.Metropolitan
re:trans.funding
re:infrastructure
re:trans.mobility
The Star's editorial | Two victories for KC Zoo and regional cooperation - Kansa...
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/09/3257131/the-stars-editorial-two-victories.html
Tuesday's decision to build a bigger and better Kansas City Zoo was an encouraging victory for regional cooperation.
Voters in Jackson and Clay counties defied the skeptics and showed once again that people in the metropolian area really can pull together for a worthwhile cause.
The zoo tax was just the second successful multi-county effort by voters in this region to finance important projects. The first was the bistate sales tax that Jackson, Clay, Platte and Johnson counties approved in 1996 to help save and renovate Union Station. A followup bistate election in 2004 for the arts and sports stadiums failed at the polls, unfortunately.
So until Tuesday, no one really knew whether voters in multiple counties would ever embrace a similar election.
But they did. So congratulations to the zoo and its many supporters. They are about to embark on an outstanding plan to add penguins and more big cats, build new exhibits and create yet another first-class attraction in the metropolitan area.
re:zoo
re:tax
re:referendum
re:bi-state
re:metropolitan
5140-37-03-Mid-America-Kansas.City-MO-KS
re:editorial.opinion
Region ranks No. 3 for veterans starting careers | Richmond Times-Dispatch
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2011/nov/09/tdbiz01-region-ranks-no-3-for-veterans-starting-ca-ar-1445275/
The Richmond region is the third-best metropolitan area in the country for military retirees to launch a second career, a national report says.
Richmond made the list, developed by the USAA financial services firm and Military.com, by offering advantages important to military retirees seeking to start a new career. They are:
- employment opportunities that match up with military skills;
- low unemployment;
- proximity to military facilities and veterans services; and
- moderate housing costs
The study, being released today, examined all 379 U.S. metropolitan areas. Norfolk ranked No. 2 on the list. Oklahoma City was the top area
"Richmond has so much to offer someone retiring after 20 or 30 years in military service," said June Walbert with USAA in San Antonio.
"No. 1 was military skills-related jobs in the area," … wide array of government, defense industry, security and protective-service positions in the Richmond region.
5140-13-15-Richmond.Regional
re:military
re:retirement
SPC: Regional Co-Ordination the Way Forward for Development
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18534%3Aspc-regional-co-ordination-the-way-forward-for-development&catid=45%3Aguam-news&Itemid=156
… CRGA (Committee of Representatives of Governments and Administrations) … recurring theme during discussions was sustainable development. … Secretariat of the South Pacific Community (SPC) … way forward for Pacific Island Countries and Territories is through an integrated, regional approach to development.
Mr Eafare cited as an example of effective sub-regional cooperation the Parties to the Nauru Agreement (PNA) concerning cooperation in the management of fisheries of common interest, signed in 1982 by Papua New Guinea, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau and the Republic of Marshall Islands.
"As early as 2004, I advocated that a cost-benefit analysis needs to be done on the merits and demerits of a region- wide implementation process for sustainable development," said Mr Eafare. ...
6000.SPC.South.Pacific.Community
re:coordination
Collaboration leads to economic development | ThisWeek Community Newspapers
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2011/11/09/collaboration-leads-to-economic-development.html
The Columbus region's commitment to building its economic base is stronger than ever. It takes a system to be able to professionally and effectively respond to the needs of business. Over the past year, several organizations have come together under the Columbus2020! strategy to build a network that could catch and respond to inquiries of growing local businesses.
The expansion and retention of existing businesses in the region are top priorities for Columbus2020! because the existing business community is the foundation for our economic growth. Our existing "customers" also are the key to bringing new corporate entities to the region and are the foundation of our civic infrastructure, funding and supporting local government and nonprofit civic groups.
Economic development leaders acknowledge that about 70 percent of a community's job and capital investment growth are driven by the growth of existing employers. Existing businesses are fundamental to the region's efforts …
5140-28-0X-Mid-Ohio-Columbus
re:2020
re:local
re:business
Gov. Shumlin kicks off long-term recovery effort
http://vtdigger.org/2011/11/08/gov-shumlin-kicks-off-long-term-recovery-effort/
Gov. Peter Shumlin today announced a plan to assist communities recovering from Tropical Storm Irene. Dubbed the Community Recovery Partnership, this initiative will target affected towns and regions with facilitated community conversations and cross-agency State support, as well as collaboration in long-term planning and implementation of recovery efforts.
"We know that all recovery is local and the best role for the State is to support the towns. The first step is to talk with communities about both their current needs and their future plans, in order to better gauge the additional assistance they will need going forward," said the Governor. "We need to harness the incredible community energy of the past two months and direct it toward rebuilding Vermont into a stronger, smarter and safer state."
Gov. Shumlin said the recovery needs vary from town to town and region to region. To best understand these needs, the state will ask town residents to share their views and ideas.
5140-03-00-Vermont
re:recovery
re:partnership
National Western Stock Show move opposed by Denver City Council - The Denver Pos...
http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_19286354?source=rss
… strained definition of regionalism between Denver and Aurora….co-applicants for subsidies under the Regional Tourism Act — a new program that enables developers to pocket a portion of state sales taxes that their projects generate for a period of 30 years. Aurora is seeking $85.4 million from the RTA to help Nashville, Tenn.-based Gaylord Entertainment Co. build a 1,500-room hotel and convention complex. Denver's request is for $6.1 million from the RTA to help relocate the National Western Stock Show from downtown Denver to Aurora next to the Gaylord complex. … Denver Auditor Dennis Gallagher also said the city should pull out of the application for RTA money. … withdrawal from the RTA isn't contrary to the spirit of regionalism. "The burden of this project would fall solely on Denver, to the tune of $20 million every year," the letter says. "Such an outcome fits no reasonable definition of 'regionalism' or any model of partnership between local governments." …
5140-44-03-Denver.Regional
re:grant
re:tourism
re:incentives
REGION: Battle escalates between mega-warehouses and communities | Luke Test Sub...
http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/corona/corona-headlines-index/20111107-region-battle-escalates-between-mega-warehouses-and-communities.ece
… first distribution centers started popping up in the Inland area in 1985, when developers started running out of large lots along Highway 60 in the San Gabriel Valley and looked to San Bernardino. The prices were right and the space was available. They continued to fan out across the area through the 1990s, despite the lagging economy, simply because of a lack of space elsewhere. Then, they started to grow in scope. Instead of 200,000-square-foot warehouses, they mushroomed to 300,000 and 400,000 square feet. More sophisticated technology meant larger warehouses moving more goods faster, some projects growing to more than a million square feet. "Every facility of 500,000 square feet and above was taken" in 2010 … chief economist for the Inland Empire Economic Center. … But with that development came conflict and health concerns. In 2000, a study by USC's medical school researchers blamed the high levels of fine-particle pollution for stunted lung development in children. …
re:warehouses.distribution
re:development
re:air.quality
re:impacts
re:opposition
Greater Green Bay Community Foundation invests $4.7M in region | Green Bay Press...
http://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/article/20111107/GPG0101/111070481/Green-Bay-foundation-invests-4-7M-3-area-counties?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cimg%7CGPG-News
Brown, Oconto and Kewaunee counties got a big boost from the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation as more than 400 nonprofit organizations and 1,334 grants were funded to aid the communities in the past fiscal year.
The community foundation invested $4.68 million in the three counties in 2011.
"There continues to be a lot of commitment from citizens to help their neighbors and the community," said David Pamperin, president of the community foundation.
"People make donations to the community foundation because the donation, no matter what its size, continues to grow in a community endowment for years, providing annual grants to support numerous causes."
The foundation managed 454 funds during the fiscal year, which ended June 30, including 25 new funds. Ninety-nine cents out of every dollar spent in the year went to a charitable cause, according to the foundation.
It gifted $1.2 million to more than 150 organizations through the first quarter of its 2012 fiscal year, …
5140-31-01-Bay.Lake-Green.Bay
re:community.foundation
re:non-profit
re:grants
re:funding
GUEST COLUMN: How we're restoring Tahoe while creating sustainable communities -...
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20111107/NEWS/111109904/1024&parentprofile=1059
As the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency runs full-steam ahead to complete the Lake Tahoe Regional Plan Update by the end of 2012, I want to be sure the community is clear on our goal — restoring and protecting Lake Tahoe's water quality while creating sustainable communities. Tahoe's communities are in trouble, and people who live and work here need new options. Over¬whelmingly TRPA heard during the place-based visioning process that protecting the lake and making our communities walkable, safe, and sustainable were paramount. We're implementing this vision with the Regional Plan Update, which is the blueprint for the Tahoe Basin's sustainable future. The master plan will help guide how communities evolve, how ecosystems function, whether the transportation network is efficient and effective, and whether the Basin at large is restored, more pristine, and sustainable. … Aspects of the current Regional Plan that are working well will continue to do so with little to no change: ..
5140-00.Lake.Tahoe-CA-NV
re:plan.update
re:sustainability
re:communities
re:vision
re:place-based
Gilani proposes 5-point development agenda for regional countries - Pakistan
http://ftpapp.app.com.pk/en_/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=163477&Itemid=1
Terming greater cooperation among regional countries crucial for their development and prosperity, Prime Minister … Gilani stressed for enhancing trade, energy and road links. Addressing the 10th meeting of Heads of Government Council of Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) …the Prime Minister proposed a five-point development plan based on the SCO-sponsored intra-regional and inter-regional cooperation in trade, building infrastructure and power links. The development plan included arranging finance and initiation of work on electricity transmission lines; taking concrete measures to start TAPI (Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India) and Iran-Pakistan-India gas line projects; setting up a preferential and if possible a free trade zone in the SCO region; cooperation in the financial and banking sectors; and relaxation of visa regimes for diplomats, officials and businessmen. Prime Minister Gilani represented Pakistan as an observer state at the SCO forum …
0500.SCO.Shanghi.Cooperation.Organization
8264-00-Pakistan
MMRF: Monash Multi-Regional Forecasting Model: A Dynamic Multi-Regional Model of...
http://poliecon.com/2011/11/06/mmrf-monash-multi-regional-forecasting-model-a-dynamic-multi-regional-model-of-the-australian-economy-2/
MMRF is a dynamic CGE model of Australia's six State and two Territory economies. MMRF is used extensively in contract research. Several features of MMRF make it an ideal tool for policy analysis, including: dynamics, a highly disaggregated regional and sectoral database, a national labour market, and detailed modelling of government financial statistics.
7430-00-Australia
re:model
re:forecasting
re:economy
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Regional Community Development News - November 14,...