One thing the recession has taught us all is you can't sit and wait for things to turn. Those regions that plan ahead and develop aggressive, fully resourced plans for the future will be the regions that prosper in the new economy. The following articles highlight three regions that are not waiting for the economy to improve. Rather, they are taking pro-active steps now to position their regions for success.

First, if you missed the following article in the New York Times about the Metro Atlanta Chambers' plans to position the region for aggressive action coming out of the recession, it's worth a read and make sure to check the link to the study summary completed this summer that outlines the Chamber's future direction. RDG is proud to call the Metro Atlanta Chamber and its Forward Atlanta economic development arm a partner!

By SHAILA DEWAN
Published: July 17, 2009

In Atlanta, the answer is tinged with optimism: develop a strategy for the end of the recession.

For the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce, the region's future lies not so much in broad buzzword sectors like bioscience or technology, but in bite-size niches within those categories. Atlanta could become a center for pet pharmacology, digitized medical records and video games - or so says a study released Friday for the chamber's New Economy Task Force.

"There is no such thing as a technology industry," said Alan Colberg, a managing director at Bain & Company consultants and the author of the study. "You have to say, 'We're going to build wireless telecom.' Successful cities have gone to a focused area. The industries are more fragmented than they've ever been."

Such a plan, of course, is predicated on the notion that the recession will end. But it also involves the somewhat instructive effort of trying to predict what the economy will look like in recovery, and how cities will compete more for less growth.

"It's going to be this move from bad economy to next economy," said Mick Fleming, the president of American Chamber of Commerce Executives. "You can pick your industry, whether it's retail or banking or computers - it's all going to be different." 
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Four years ago, Leaders in North Louisiana had a vision of a more unified, regional approach to economic development.  What follows is the story of how 14 Parishes in North Louisiana have come together to form a new economic engine for this region.  RDG is proud to have had the opportunity to work with the two organizations that have now combined --- the Northwest Louisiana Economic Development Foundation and the North Louisiana Economic Development Corporation. 

Partnership to market northern La.
BY GREG HILBURN · GHILBURN@THENEWSSTAR.COM · SEPTEMBER 4, 2009 

Two northern Louisiana economic development groups signed an agreement Thursday to move forward with a merger that they believe will elevate the region's profile as it competes for industry and jobs.

The volunteer co-chairmen of the five-parish North Louisiana Economic Development Corp. and the 10-parish Northwest Louisiana Economic Development Foundation inked the deal during a ceremony at CenturyLink's headquarters in Monroe. The same agreement was signed in Shreveport later in the day.

The northwestern group represents Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Claiborne, DeSoto, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Red River, Sabine and Webster parishes, while the northeastern group represents Jackson, Lincoln, Morehouse, Ouachita and Union parishes.

"Together we can generate more attention and activity and in the process create jobs that perhaps will keep our children and grandchildren here," said Billy Cox, chairman of the North Louisiana Economic Development Corp.

"We know there's power in numbers," said Charles Coyle, chairman of the Northwest Louisiana Economic Development Foundation.

Kurt Foreman, who was already in place as the chief executive of the Northwest Foundation, leads the new North Louisiana Economic Partnership.

"There are thousands of economic development organizations, and this helps us break through the clutter," Foreman said. "Our message together will allow us to attract more opportunities, and at the end of the day we combine our resources and have more impact."

Though the merger won't be complete for another year, the organization is operating as one now, with offices in both Monroe and Shreveport, already assuming the new name and combining staffs.
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Story by Topeka Chamber of Commerce
6:04 p.m. Monday, August 3, 2009

Today the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce/GO Topeka launches a local multi-media campaign to keep Topeka/Shawnee County citizens informed about economic development successes.

"With four major announcements over the last four months we felt it was appropriate to communicate our strategy about why we do what we do," said Doug Kinsinger, president/CEO, Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce/GO Topeka. "Private sector funding commitments have allowed us to greatly expand our reach with more PSA space," said Kinsinger.

The campaign centers around the theme WE CAN DO THAT, also the theme for national economic development efforts by GO Topeka to attract and retain primary employers in this area. Primary employers are defined as businesses that bring in new dollars by selling products or services to those outside the community.

"We have a commitment and responsibility to report to our stakeholders what we're doing. It's expected by JEDO and budgeted," said Steve Jenkins, senior vice president of economic development for GO Topeka. "Working with the same budget, we've retooled our tactics to get the message to more of our community."
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