Economic Development

Mayor Justin Bibb: Ohio Rescue and Transformation Plan

ECONOMIC REVITALIZATION: Ohio – Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb has unveiled a series of substantial investments aimed at revitalizing the city and expanding broadband access as part of his Rescue and Transformation Plan. Bibb announced a public-private collaboration expected to bring internet access to an estimated 29,000 homes over the next 18 months. He also recently committed $21 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act funding to a Waterfront Activation Fund, set to support nine projects along the city’s shores. In addition, he has pledged to allocate more of the city’s federal aid towards converting “thousands of acres” of brownfields into land ready for development.

Resource and Development Tax Credit

Problem

Historically, research and development incentives in Delaware have supported larger established companies. While these larger companies are vital to the state, smaller businesses and startups usually need more resources as they are starting out to remain competitive and expand their business efforts.

Solution

Rep. Short introduced legislation to reform the R&D Tax credit program in Delaware so that it will drive more of the resources to smaller start-up companies. By refocusing the credit toward smaller businesses and startups, this bill incentivizes innovation and growth in emerging industries that are critical to enhancing Delaware’s competitiveness and increasing the opportunity for job growth. If passed, the bill will improve the business climate for existing small businesses and attract new businesses to Delaware.

Enterprise Zones 2.0

Problem

Several parts of Nebraska, including Omaha, suffer from greater unemployment rates than the rest of the state but the state has limited resources allocated to economic development programs.

Solution

Senator Mello authored legislation to reauthorize Nebraska’s enterprise zone statutes to encourage investment and economic growth by giving preference for projects in economically distressed communities. Rather than creating a new economic development program, this innovative idea focuses existing resources where the need is greatest for the largest economic return. By giving these areas a leg up on programs like job training and affordable housing funds, these communities are able to better prepare citizens with the skills and support they need to become self-sufficient and contribute to the state economy.

Columbus Small Business Growth Initiative

Problem

Many economically disadvantaged neighborhoods are home to entrepreneurs who have the time and energy to help turn their neighborhoods around, but who don’t have access to funding.

Solution

Councilmember Klein convened a group of small business owners, the local Chamber of Commerce, and local non-profits to determine which investments would make the most impact to revitalize disadvantaged neighborhoods and then designed a set of grants and loans to fund streetscape and building improvements, as well as start-up loans to create new jobs.

Bringing TOD and Innovation Business Districts Together

Problem

In order to make Denver a world-class city, Mayor Michael Hancock is striving to evolve the definition of Transit Oriented Development to an idea of developing transit communities that are walkable, livable places that provide citizens with access to most of their daily needs.

Solution

As Denver continues to develop its mass transit system, Mayor Hancock is also looking to leverage the great redevelopment opportunities around station areas, increasing job and business and changing the mix of traditional uses in these development, thus transforming formerly disinvested neighborhoods. By bringing together the ideas of transit oriented development and innovation business districts, Mayor Hancock is working to create an exceptional transit system with great stations that connect to walkable communities.

Community Building Through Public Art

Problem

Salem’s downtown pedestrian mall was in need of a variety of improvements; it was tired, in need of maintenance and repair, was not pedestrian friendly, and had vacant storefronts. Without improvements, the area lacked a strong sense of community and economic activity was hindered.

Solution

Mayor Driscoll is leading the planning stages of a downtown redesign based on feedback from residents who identified public art as a means to create a great public space and enhance the economic development potential of this area. The city is starting a formal public art initiative through development of a master plan for public art, adoption of an Ordinance by Council to establish a Public Art Ordinance, and the hiring of the first Public Art Planner. This is a smart investment for everyone because art and culture add vibrancy to neighborhoods, bring people together, attract tourists to visit and stay longer, and serve as an economic development tool.

Keep Your Money Local

Problem

Cities and counties have millions in reserve and special funds but most of those dollars are invested in large funds run out of state. Local financial institutions know their community and customers better than large banks, and therefore by having access to those funds can more effectively invest in the community.

Solution

County Supervisor Coonerty proposes investing a small percentage of these reserves in local banks and credit unions to keep the money local, creating jobs and more funds for these institutions to lend to citizens to start businesses, purchase cars or improve their homes, all of which help grow the economy.

Innovation Vouchers

Problem

Small businesses often do not have the resources to harness expertise in research and development. Meanwhile, scientific, technological and other research facilities are often looking for new projects. Funding the linkage between these two groups would lead to new opportunities for economic growth.

Solution

Assemblymember Buchwald is proposing to issue “Innovation Vouchers” to small businesses to acquire expertise from universities, national laboratories, or public research institutes. The goal of the program would be to connect research facilities to small businesses, helping create jobs and spur innovation.

Small Business Tour

Problem

Too often a lack of communication between small business communities and government has hindered public trust in government’s ability to grow economic progress and solve local businesses’ greatest problems.

Solution

Upon taking office, Mayor Kriseman created the position of Small Business Liaison to better connect St. Petersburg’s small business community to their government and give them a space to voice their concerns. This Small Business liaison helps facilitate small business tours, which have become a regular part of the Mayor’s schedule and has allowed him to see and learn firsthand the challenges facing St. Petersburg’s independent businesses. By creating this partnership between the city of St. Petersburg and the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Kriseman has successfully eliminated barriers to opportunity and is working to restore public trust in city government.

Denver Shared Spaces

Problem

The sustainability and economic success of nonprofits is often impacted by an organization’s ability to find affordable space, reduce overhead, and find innovative ways to effectively advance their mission.

Solution

Through the Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships, Mayor Hancock helped create the Denver Shared Spaces project in 2009 to maximize nonprofit resources through a shared space model. Resources for the project have been raised by public investment (dollars from various city agencies), and some private investments. This model is an effective tool for increasing efficiency and effectiveness in nonprofit partners by reducing duplicative efforts, sharing overhead costs and creating a space for sharing best practices and collaboration.

Mayor Justin Bibb: Ohio Rescue and Transformation Plan

Resource and Development Tax Credit

Problem

Solution

Enterprise Zones 2.0

Problem

Solution

Columbus Small Business Growth Initiative

Problem

Solution

Bringing TOD and Innovation Business Districts Together

Problem

Solution

Community Building Through Public Art

Problem

Solution

Keep Your Money Local

Problem

Solution

Innovation Vouchers

Problem

Solution

Small Business Tour

Problem

Solution

Denver Shared Spaces

Problem

Solution

Subscribe

Recent News

View All

‘We Are the Party of Freedom’: DNC Chair Jaime Harrison Marks 200th Episode of An Honorable Profession Podcast

NewDEAL Celebrates Voter Registration Month with 3-part Podcast Series

It’s Not All About Trump. Republican Attacks on Democracy Are Local, Too

State and Local Leaders’ Guide to Carbon Dioxide Removal Technology