Regional unity is vital to area's redevelopment (Sanders)

Link to article in NWI Times
The following commentary appeared in the NWI Times on
Sunday, November 11, 2007 12:02 AM CST

by Tim Sanders

At a recent conference of the International Economic Development Council, presenters from all over the country talked about extraordinary developments leading to employment, well planned development, and a higher quality of life in their regions.

Several themes ran through the event from speaker to speaker.

The absolute necessity for local leadership is critical to move a region forward. In each case of successful community development, business and political leaders jointly stepped up to the plate to formulate the vision for the future.

A quality work force and the willingness to raise local funding to impact the necessary changes are vital. Some less obvious factors, such as a lower average age and certain levels of recreational activities, also have a strong impact on economic and community development. The lower age suggests young people are moving into an area, not out of it. This provides the work force critical to development.

Recreational opportunities go hand in hand with the age of the population. Younger people will gravitate toward bike paths, parks and playgrounds. And in many cases they will have the energy necessary to improve their community for their children and grandchildren.

In Chattanooga, Tenn., with very serious pollution in the 1970s, the community built a large fresh water aquarium and recast its image. There was created, not by magic, a very thoughtful park and public space on the bank of the Tennessee River.

Buffalo, N.Y., is redeveloping its lakeshore with high-priced condos and townhouses in the downtown. These developments are important for regions that have lost their economic base. The residents of these areas will want restaurants, shopping and cultural opportunities that lead to employment for many citizens.

Tacoma, Wash., is engaged in exciting urban renewal and housing development to attract a mixed neighborhood that will strengthen the economy of the city in much the same way.

In North Carolina, representatives of NC State go with economic developers to pledge that whatever work force the prospective employer needs will be trained and ready for work. This connection ensures potential employers they will have a competent work force now and in the future.

In Tucson, Ariz., with 44 percent job growth, community leaders realized the key was to increase wages, not just the number of jobs. Here in Indiana, we have also heard that increasing the number of jobs is not enough. Southern Arizona embarked on a plan to upgrade the work force to attract the jobs of the future in the face of a booming economy in the present. This vision and leadership will pay dividends down the road.

As we move forward with the rebirth of Northwest Indiana, most of these factors need to be considered. Other areas around the nation are aggressively interested in redeveloping themselves and are actively making the changes they need to make to move forward.

Tim Sanders is executive director of the Northwest Indiana Regional Development Authority. The opinion expressed in this column is the writer's and not necessarily that of The Times.