Overlooking the Mississippi River and the old West Publishing and county jail site that is slated for a new multi-use office tower, Mayor Chris Coleman introduced an economic development strategy yesterday that called for increased collaboration from Saint Paul's economic development partners to expand opportunities across the city. More than 100 people attended the rollout of the strategic vision in the Windows on the River restaurant on the 22nd floor of the Crowne Plaza Hotel
Standing before the leaders of the Saint Paul Chamber of Commerce, the Capital City Partnership, the Saint Paul Port Authority, and the Saint Paul Riverfront Corporation, Mayor Coleman called for the organizations to unify their efforts with the city to achieve success.
“To be successful, we must break out of our silos and coordinate our efforts, much like we have done to advance the Central Corridor,” Mayor Coleman said. “This strategic vision unifies the work and plans all the groups are doing to advance Saint Paul. It provides a comprehensive direction to the work currently being done by our four economic developers and the city and gives a coordinated direction for our ED partners to work together to meet our goals.”
In laying out the roadmap, Mayor Coleman highlighted six initiatives that make up the economic development plan for the city: business retention and expansion, business attraction, Invest Saint Paul initiatives, streamlining the development process, workforce development, and downtown revitalization. In each initiative, he said the city and partners have a role to play.
Given the challenges in the economy, though – from the worst mortgage crisis since the Great Depression and skyrocketing energy and food costs – Mayor Coleman said the city can not do the work alone. He said Saint Paul needs the coordination of the partners’ efforts if it is going to capitalize on opportunities like green manufacturing, the Penfield, Opus, Ford site, and Central Corridor.
“In an era of diminishing resources, it’s incredibly important that we coordinate our efforts and leverage our individual expertise,” Mayor Coleman said. “This vision will be fluid, able to adapt as changes occur in the economy. Through our coordination, our commitment, and our focus, together we will create the Most Livable City in America.
View the Economic Development Plan Here.
View the Economic Development Step Matrix Here.
