Mayor’s Alternative Economic Development Issues

Short and sweet.

DATE: February 7, 2012
TO: The President and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Mayor Paul Soglin
SUBJECT: Alterative Economic Development Issues

Usually we think of economic development as a developer, land development and either new housing or an employment center. Recent events demonstrate that there are old and new challenges that do not fit this model.
– WIAA –State high school basketball tournaments
– Same-sex Marriage – New York and Massachusetts
– High Speed Rail – California and other states move forward with a twenty year plan
– TIF – the different standards in other Wisconsin communities. Municipal competition.
– Regional economic development – Thrive. Who benefits, who pays?

Ok. Now what? I’m guessing he will have more to say tonight?

TIF policies have been discussed for years ad nauseum. THRIVE has been a budget discussion in the past. High Speed Rail has had committees at least going back to 2001 when I got on the council. I believe we’re on record on various wasys supporting same sex marriage and domestic partnerships. WIAA isn’t something we have a lot of control over since it is university facilities.

I was kinda hoping he was going to say that we need a real economic development plan – that is current and realistic. Maybe that is what he is saying? Or maybe there are some pages missing? I dunno. He’s being to subtle here, even for me. Stay tuned.

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