Posted 9:46 am Tuesday, May 04, 2010
Smith County Governments, Agencies Adopt Growth Initiative
By CASEY MURPHY
Staff Writer
Seven governmental entities came together Monday in Tyler during an "unprecedented" joint meeting to adopt the Industry Growth Initiative -- a 20-year plan aimed at achieving an "Innovation Economy" that could bring higher-paying jobs, economic growth, job creation and a higher standard of living to the area.
Staff Writer
Seven governmental entities came together Monday in Tyler during an "unprecedented" joint meeting to adopt the Industry Growth Initiative -- a 20-year plan aimed at achieving an "Innovation Economy" that could bring higher-paying jobs, economic growth, job creation and a higher standard of living to the area.
The project, which city officials began more than a year ago, recommends the development of 10 primary building blocks to carry the region into the next 20 years of economic growth.
City officials announced the plan in November 2009 and since December have taken it to community stakeholders for input. The plan was amended with that feedback in mind, and the final version was adopted Monday by the Tyler City Council, Smith County Commissioners Court, Tyler Junior College Board of Trustees, Tyler Independent School District Board of Trustees, Tyler Metropolitan Black Chamber of Commerce and Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce.
Tyler Economic Development Council Chairman Rea Boudreaux said the TEDC would vote to adopt the plan at its next meeting because it did not have a quorum present Monday.
"This is indeed an unprecedented event to have this many governing bodies together," Tyler City Manager Mark McDaniel said, adding that it shows the importance of the project -- a broad scope of planning for the next 20 years.
Also at the meeting were members of the Leadership Roundtable, including representatives from The University of Texas at Tyler, UT Health Science Center at Tyler, Texas College, East Texas Medical Center Regional Healthcare System and Trinity Mother Frances Hospitals and Clinics.
Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass said Monday's meeting was a culmination of a project and the start of a new initiative for the community.
More than a year ago, the Tyler Leadership Roundtable, led by Mayor Bass and state Sen. Kevin Eltife, began discussing what they could do to create jobs and enhance Tyler, she said.
The Industry Growth Initiative "is about working together as a community" -- to start today and make sure we have jobs tomorrow and in the future, Mayor Bass said. "We appreciate the support from each and every group …"
SUPPORTIVE LEADERS
"We're thrilled to be a part of this," Metro Chamber President JoAnn Hampton said.
"We're thrilled to be a part of this," Metro Chamber President JoAnn Hampton said.
Jim Lambeth, chairman of the Tyler Chamber, said he is grateful for the initiative the city started. He said it was excellent to see all of the entities come together for one initiative.
President of the TJC Board of Trustees Lonny Uzzell thanked the city for allowing the educational entities to be involved in the initiative.
Smith County Judge Joel Baker said it was an excellent opportunity, not only for the city and county to work together, but for all entities. He said the commissioners court supports the plan and he looks forward to implementing its goals and objectives.
TISD Board of Trustees President Ron Vickery said the all-inclusive initiative is a wonderful collaboration of entities working together. He thanked the city for having the vision to look forward with the plan.
Boudreaux said the plan was an excellent roadmap that will make Tyler great in the future.
To come up with the Industry Growth Initiative, the Leadership Roundtable engaged consultants Tripp Umbach and Boyette Levy to design a strategy that identifies targeted economic development opportunities; outlines recommendations to support them; provides strategic direction to assist in moving forward with the development efforts; and results in the development of an implementation plan.
The 84-page report contains strategic tactics focused on achieving an "Innovation Economy" that brings higher-paying jobs, economic growth, job creation and a higher standard of living to the area.
The Industry Growth Initiative details a pyramid of 10 building blocks, beginning with the foundation of creating a public/private partnership, built with nine strategies -- higher education, health care/bio-med, tourism, arts and entertainment hub, 21st century energy, retiree, infrastructure, graduate education and 21st century transportation.
The pyramid is capped in 20 years with the goal of creating an "Innovation Economy."
"The goal in all of this is to reach that innovative economy through those nine strategies," McDaniel said. He gave the audience of more than 80 community leaders an overview of the plan.
McDaniel said the plan originally was conceived as a marketing effort to market all of Tyler's assets. It is a marketing and economic development plan in all respects, he added. The end product is much better because they took the time to meet with all of the entities to gain their input.
Most of the objectives in the plan already are happening, he said, but when they are all put together as a collaborative effort, it makes it "extremely powerful." The next step for the project will be an implementation plan and setting goals of what they want to achieve during the 20-year period, he said.
"We think this project will serve the city well in the years to come," McDaniel said.
To view the entire 84-page report, visit www.tylerigi.com. The link to the PDF is under Downloads, labeled "IGI Plan," in the right side panel on the page.
