Main Street Calls for Technology-based Economic Development, Report Indicates

Southerners voiced that focusing on innovation and technology-based business operations, supporting entrepreneurship, identifying community asset, developing skilled workforce and increasing community involvement in economic development strategies are vital for the South to recover from the current economic downtown according to a recent report — The Road to Recovery is Named Main Street — from the Southern Growth Policies Board. The report was assembled using comments of over 2,300 citizens from communities across the south. During community gatherings and via online surveys, Southerners discussed not only the challenges and concerns caused by the Great Recession, but also the priorities and potential to build stronger regional economies. Participants provide states, regional economic development organizations and local governments with five key themes: look beyond industrial recruitment, reduce regulation, identify and build on community assets, revamp workforce training and facilitate partnerships. The report also examines the lessons learned by facilitators in increasing community involvement in economic development and its importance to develop successful long-term development strategies. Read the report ...