Massachusetts Technology Collaborative John Adams Innovation Institute Innovation-Based Economic Development Strategy for Holyoke and the Pioneer Valley Innovation District Task Force Meeting October 27, 2010
Today s Presentation Overview of project objectives and key tasks Public input and community engagement Role and expectations for Task Force Discussion
Four Key Project Objectives Develop and articulate an action-oriented agenda Define an industry cluster development strategy Develop a regional innovation-based economic development strategy for the Knowledge Corridor Develop a consistent and compelling communications and marketing plan
Guiding Principles Market-based vision for economic development policies and investment strategies tied to industry opportunities Identify near-term and long-term strategies build foundation ( ecosystem ) for economic success Link to Urban Renewal Plan and other existing local/regional initiatives Identify parties responsible for implementation of strategic plan and relevant stakeholders
Project Schedule HDR Team 9 months TASK Month 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Task 1: Prioritization & Preparatory Activities Task 2: Analysis of Baseline Conditions & Opportunities Task 3: Energy Strategy Development Task 4: Industry Cluster Strategy Development Task 5: Innovation Ecosystem Strategy Development Task 6: Public Input Task 7: Reporting and Dissemination Task Force Meetings / Progress Reports In-Depth Task Force Working Sessions Public Workshop Deliverable
Task 2 Analysis of Baseline Conditions and Opportunities Baseline physical infrastructure energy, buildings, transportation, telecommunications Local and regional socioeconomic analysis Global context and site location trends Key leadership, institutions, innovation economy employers Lessons from comparable examples innovation districts and catalyst projects SWOT assessment
Task 2 Existing Reports Obtained Reconnecting Massachusetts Gateway Cities: Lessons Learned and an Agenda for Renewal, MassINC and Metropolitan Policy Program, Brookings Institution, sponsored by the Massachusetts Technology Collaborative and SBLI Reconnecting Massachusetts Gateway Cities, City Profiles: Springfield and Holyoke An Advisory Services Panel Report, Strategies for a Sustainable City, Springfield, Massachusetts, Urban Land Institute Restoring Prosperity, The State Role in Revitalizing America s Older Industrial Cities, The Brookings Institution Metropolitan Policy Program City of Holyoke Gas & Electric, 2008 Annual Report
Task 2 Existing Reports Obtained (continued) The Massachusetts Regional Benchmarking Project: Pioneer Valley Regional Report, University of Massachusetts Donahue Institute Economic and Public Policy Research Unit/UMass Lowell Center for Industrial Competitiveness Holyoke s Center City Vision Plan, A Plan for the Heart of Our Community, VHB The Rebirth of Older Industrial Cities: Exciting Opportunities for Private Sector Investment, Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Northeastern University Staying Power: The Future of Manufacturing in Massachusetts, Center for Urban and Regional Policy, Northeastern University After the Recovery: Help Needed The Coming Labor Shortage and How People in Encore Careers Can Help Solve It, Civic Ventures The Pioneer Valley Plan for Progress, The Region s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, Annual Report, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission
Task 2 Existing Reports Obtained (continued) The Pioneer Valley Plan for Progress, Economic Strategies for the Region, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission City of Holyoke s Preferred Vision Plan http://www.holyoke.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article &id=53&itemid=60. City of Holyoke, Potential Redevelopment Properties PVPC Rail Study, Compiled Final Report, HDR Discerning the Future for the Pioneer Valley Region, 2000-2030, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, Regional Information Center The Creative Economy of the Pioneer Valley, A Statistical Profile of the Pioneer Valley Region, January 2009
Task 3 Energy Strategy Development Focus on energy-related economic development opportunities Understanding of existing and potential future expansion of renewable, low-cost energy in Holyoke Industry opportunities tied to low-cost renewable energy Hydroelectric demonstration locations Manufacturing Data centers and IT Business support strategies to develop clean energy industry
Task 4 Industry Cluster Strategy Development Which industries, where located, size of opportunity, and supporting investments, strategies, and policies Categories of industries Existing and emerging local industries Business attraction Anchor tenants Clear understanding of key site location factors and challenges to overcome in Holyoke and region Align assets with industry growth opportunities
Task 4 Industry Cluster Strategy Development Structure & Logic Model for Industry Cluster Assessment STRATEGIC INDUSTRY CLUSTER IDENTIFICATION Existing Industry Strengths Local and Regional Competitive Assets Industry Market Research / Site Selection National / International Case Studies University Research Connections & Opportunities Development Experts POTENTIAL INDUSTRY CLUSTER OPPORTUNITIES Industry X Industry Y Industry Z... COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY CLUSTER FACTORS Workforce Skill Requirements National / Global Trends & Competition Supply Chain / Cluster Opportunities in MA Site / Building Requirements Key Cost Factors (energy, labor, transport, taxes) ESTIMATING THE INDUSTRY OPPORTUNITY Size of Industry Opportunity (Jobs, businesses) Near-term and Long-term Opportunities Geographic Location Considerations (Innovation District, Holyoke, Pioneer Valley)
Task 5 Innovation Ecosystem Strategy Development Workforce development, education, job training, community colleges Business incubation and entrepreneurial support Industry cluster supply chain initiatives Access to financing Infrastructure investments Marketing, messaging, branding
Task 6 - Public Input Kick-off meeting, site tour, preliminary survey Interviews with Holyoke s community leaders, property owners, neighborhood associations Stakeholder workshop and public workshops Task 2 Public forum Strategies from Tasks 4 and 5 Presentation of final report findings and strategies Web site, communications
PUBLIC INPUT AND COMMUNITY OUTREACH STRATEGY
GOAL: Facilitate Extensive Community Involvement
APPROACH: Provide Many Opportunities to Participate
GOAL: Get the Community Actively Engaged
APPROACH: Create Realistic Participation Exercises
APPROACH: Make Participation Engaging & Fun
APPROACH: Have Participants Present their Ideas
APPROACH: Relate Community Ideas to Outcomes
CASE STUDY: South Omaha, Omaha NE Community Based Redevelopment Effort Funded & Sponsored by Public-Private Consortium Strong, Established Hispanic Community Approach: Bilingual Survey Community Interviewer Program Focus Groups Traveling Kiosk Local Advertisements Radio Interviews Visioning Workshops Week-long Charrette www.projectsouthomaha.org
Public Involvement Overall Strategy
APPROACH: Bilingual Surveys
APPROACH: Focus Groups
APPROACH: Community Interviewer Program
APPROACH: Community-Wide Visioning Workshop
South Omaha Case Study: Public Involvement 97 Focus Group Attendees 200 Charrette Attendees 2000 + People 400 Community Interviews 1500 Surveys 50 Visioning Session Attendees
Using Technology: Sample Website
Using Technology: Related Blog Site
Using Technology: Embedded Video
Using Technology: Twitter Page
Using Technology: Facebook Page
Public Input Preliminary Agenda Kick-off meeting, site tour, preliminary discussion with Task Force Identification of key participants: stakeholders (property owners, business owners, residents, associations) Preliminary Survey One-on-one or small group interviews with Task Force, Holyoke s community leaders, stakeholders Task Force/Stakeholder workshop; public workshop(s) Task 2 Public forum Reporting Out on Strategies from Tasks 4 and 5 Presentation of final report findings and strategies Web site, On-going Communications
Innovation District Task Force Roles and Expectations Draft, approve, and advance to all stakeholders comprehensive Statement of Intent What Do We Intend to Accomplish? Work in the context of a full project view Project Milestone Timeline Serve as a Rudder Team for stakeholders, and investors and partners of the future Serve as a Rudder Team launching a Balanced Portfolio of Strategic Objectives, tested and formed in the coming months
Innovation District Task Force Roles and Expectations (continued) Operate as a Center of Encouragement and Collaboration Promote the value of engagement at the Innovation District, Holyoke, and Regional Levels At the close of this formative process, be the Best Equipped Leadership Team in North America in terms of knowing and understanding the priorities for execution over the coming months and years, and having a superior knowledge base about the value proposition of the Innovation District
What will it take to be successful? An open, transparent communications / portal strategy Outstanding (Best-in-class), easy-to-use Task Force documentation Milestone Timeline-based management A framework for strategic goals A view of recurring meetings time, place, and duration Third party moderation, leveraging best practices from other Rudder Teams An eye towards going to market in all we do A recognition that the individual members of the Task Force and its collective power will be the best representation of the commitment to service, quality, and execution Candor Tough questions
Next Steps and Request Four (4) in-depth working sessions Statement of intent, vision, preliminary strategic issues and ideas SWOT assessment Two strategy sessions: industry opportunities and ecosystem Existing reports, data, studies Local/regional stakeholders, businesses Existing employers to connect to innovation-based strategy Interviews with Task Force
DISCUSSION