|
Economic Blueprint Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is an Economic Blueprint?
Developed and launched in 2007, TREO's Economic Blueprint is a strategic plan that will define a performance-based strategy and economic vision to effectively position the Tucson region to capitalize on its best economic development opportunities in the coming decades.
2. What areas are included when developing an economic plan and vision for the future?
The Economic Blueprint includes the following:
- a SWOT analysis (assessment of the region's major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, including an assessment of human resources, business real estate, infrastructure, innovation resources and higher education, entrepreneurial resources, quality of life resources, government regulations and tax policies, proximity to national and international markets, and overall business image);
- an analysis of the regional economy and driving industries;
- a competitive analysis of the region's competitive performance compared to other regions;
- a regional, state, and international (including Mexico) linkage study to assess the impact of broader statewide trends and issues;
- regional economic vision to give overall direction to future economic development and growth activities within the region;
- regional economic development network analysis to assess the economic development service network serving the Tucson region;
- the Blueprint strategic plan which will be based upon all analysis and will contain a vision statement, mission and goals, performance measures, policies, strategies, and programs to guide and strengthen the region's future economic development competitiveness; and
- an organizational plan to identify how TREO and its various partners will work together in implementing the Economic Blueprint.
3. What will this plan do for the Tucson Region?
The Economic Blueprint is a sustainable action plan for generating wealth in the region and making the Tucson region more globally competitive. It tells us what we need to do, what resources are required, and what the expected outcomes from these efforts will be. TREO and many of our regional partners have aligned our efforts with the priorities detailed in the plan.
4. There have been other "strategic plans" in the past. Why do we need another plan and how is this different?
Unfortunately, some plans produced in the past didn't include the necessary action steps, the leadership and/or the financial resources to be successfully actualized. TREO's Economic Blueprint includes both short term, immediately implement-able steps to produce improved economic outcomes plus major, complex longer term initiatives -- the kind of strategies required to transform a region. The Blueprint was developed to be implemented, and contains all of the necessary elements to make successful implementation possible. TREO regularly reports on the measurable progress of the plan, so citizens of the region can stay abreast of its progress.
5. How will the planning process work and how long will it take? How can I keep abreast of developments during the process?
The entire Blueprint planning process took six months from beginning to end. Key findings were shared with the community throughout this process. The results of the final Economic Blueprint were shared with the community upon completion of the plan, and implementation began immediately.
6. Why did TREO need to hire a consulting firm for this project? Don't they have the necessary expertise in-house?
Developing an economic development strategy and vision requires a multitude of resources and expertise in many areas. TREO's Economic Blueprint project was described in a "Request for Proposal" (RFP) that was published and publicly released in February, 2006. As it turned out, none of the firms who submitted proposals were based in Tucson.
The firm contracted for this project, KMK Consulting Company, was chosen by a Selection Committee made up of diverse community representatives. KMK Consulting Company includes a team of national leaders in economic development initiatives in the U.S. The strategies in TREO's Economic Blueprint are based on reliable data. In addition to KMK, key team members include: Donald T. Iannone & Associates, PriceWaterhouseCoopers National Economic Consulting Group, Ady International Company, Robert Grow and Associates, and I-O Inc.
7. Who from the community is involved in the Economic Blueprint project? I have ideas I would like to share. How can I get involved?
The Economic Blueprint process included interviews, focus groups, and surveys that involved hundreds of community members including citizens, business and civic leaders, economic developers, educators, etc. Input is welcome from anyone who has feedback on the Economic Blueprint.
8. What can I expect when the plan is completed?
The final results were shared with the community at a public event March 28, 2007 and were followed by a series of meetings, presentations and forums. The plan results are posted on the TREO Web site.
9. What are TREO's plans for implementing the Economic Blueprint?
The implementation plan is included in the final Economic Blueprint document, delivered and shared with the community March 28, 2007. Implementation began immediately and progress will be measured and reported regularly. Again, visit the TREO Web site for ongoing Economic Blueprint updates.
Want to Learn More?
For detailed specifics about TREO's
Economic Blueprint, contact:
Laura Shaw
Sr. Vice President, Marketing & Communications
520.243.1940 or Laura.Shaw@treoaz.org.
|