FoT Report A Business Community Discussion with Mayor Bell November 29, 2012

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Slide Show

http://tinyurl.com/Mayor-Discuss-Pictures-121129 

On Thursday Nov 29, 2012, Mayor Bell held a Business Community discussion at the Valentine Theatre with over 250 business leaders from the Future of Toledo Initiative, and other various organizations.

Our next meeting will be Jan 16, Wed, 4:30pm to 7:00pm (Social Hour to Follow) – this session will focus on forming teams and moving to action on 14 Strategic Projects for 2013. Learn more and RSVP at http://futureoftoledo.com/rsvp.

 

Meeting Summary

Those in attendance on November 29th were introduced to the Strategic Action Plan 2013 At a Glance document (http://tinyurl.com/CoT2013Strategy) and the City of Toledo Accomplishments 2010-2012 (http://tinyurl.com/CoTAccomplishments).

The Mayor gave an enthusiastic update about the need for collaboration to accomplish our action plans. He spoke about the need for positive marketing and branding of Toledo, and about his desire to see a strong downtown area. He stressed that we need to focus on engaging the next (younger) generation of Toledo. He also talked about moving Toledo and the region forward, with his sights on becoming a leading Tier-2 city. The Mayor is passionate about Toledo, and he stated that we need more people involved.

A Tier-2 City is defined as… spatially distinct areas of economic activity where a specialized set of industries takes root and flourishes, establishing employment and population growth trajectories that are the envy of many other places.1
 

The Mayor’s update was followed by table discussions around questions or suggestions to the Mayor. Mayor Bell addressed several of those questions and comments in real time.

In addition to the table discussions, the participants were asked to describe their take away, advice for the future, and confidence in the process. Here are some key points from their responses:

 

General Reactions to the Discussion

  • There is a contagious enthusiasm, passion, and positive attitude expressed by the mayor and the government leaders present.
  • Collaboration is key to the future of the city – the relationship building is working and momentum is beginning to emerge.
  • The progress and accomplishments of the city is compelling and important to share with all citizens.

 

Regarding the 2013 Strategic Priorities and Accomplishments

  • 8.12 Avg. Confidence Score (1 to 10 highest). How confident are you that the Mayor and city government can accomplish the plan in collaboration with business leaders? Why did you score it as you did? A. Mayor Bell’s positive attitude and passion for the city, B. the political barriers between key stakeholders, and C. seeing the progress already being made.
  • Better connect and leverage the various branding efforts to better tell Toledo’s story – and inform our own citizens of all the accomplishments – on a continual basis.
  • Align the key stakeholders to work better together – administration, council, media, unions, businesses, non-profits, etc.
  • Improve education across all institutions – public/private, workforce development, continuing education, higher education, early childhood, and older adults.

 

Advice for the Future of Toledo (FoT) Initiative

  • Need to involve more people: young professionals, arts, small business, and regional leaders.
  • Need more time in these sessions to discuss accomplishments, develop plans, and implement for the future.
  • Most importantly – we need to move to action on short-term priorities to keep the momentum – focus the next session on the 2013 Actions identified.

View the full report at http://tinyurl.com/mayor-discuss-summary-121129.

The Future of Toledo Initiative 2013 Strategic Projects Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday January 16, 2013 at the Valentine Theatre, from 4:30 pm to 8:00 pm to form Action Teams around these Strategic Projects. If you care about moving Toledo and the Region to action, join with Mayor Bell and other passionate citizens on January 16th, and be a part of the action.

 

 

Footnote

1. Ann Markusen, Yong-Sook Lee, and Sean DiGiovanna, editors. Second Tier Cities. Rapid Growth Beyond the Metropolis. Minnesota: University of Minnesota Press, 1999. Qtd in Sweeney, M.M. (2004). Business Facilities – Second-Tier Cities: The Right Size at the Right Cost. Retrieved from http://www.mccallumsweeney.com/uploads/ARTICLE-22-9%20-%20Second%20Tier%20Cities%20-%20Business%20Facilities%20-%2002-04.pdf