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<br /> <br />PROJECT UNDERSTANDING <br /> <br />The City of La Porte views economic <br />development in a broader context than <br />traditional industry recruitment. The City's <br />stated objectives reflect its commitment to <br />'quality of place' - a longer-ranging and more <br />comprehensive approach to development. At <br />the core of this commitment is smart planning <br />that will have long-lasting effects on the City's <br />ability to recruit and retain talent. It requires <br />development policies that ensure growth is of a <br />high quality and aligns with the City's long-term <br />vision. <br /> <br />What is 'Quality of Place'? <br /> <br />High quality places: <br /> <br />· Offer natural, recreational, and lifestyle amenities <br />· Allow citizens to balance work and leisure <br />Provide a wide diversity of career opportunities <br />· Radiate a sense of place and authenticity <br />Accommodate active lifestyles <br />· Have accessible arts. shopping, and entertainment <br />· Care about the quality of natural resources <br />Foster a diverse and progressive population <br />Support creativity and innovation <br /> <br />It is proven that communities whose emphasis <br />is on quality of place generate substantially <br />greater job growth, business investment, and tax generation over the long-term horizon. Talented people <br />and businesses are naturally drawn to these communities. These places buzz with energy; have thriving local <br />businesses, and inspire their residents and visitors alike. Concentrating on quality of place is among the best <br />approaches to economic development, though it comes with a caveat. Cities adopting this approach must <br />also be patient. It sometimes takes decades before the full return is realized. <br /> <br />HOW THIS PROJECT IS DIFFERENT <br /> <br />A traditional economic development strategy contains the following components: economic analysis, <br />public input, target industry identification, SWOT analysis, and an action plan that covers community <br />development, marketing, and implementation. <br /> <br />The approach we recommend for La Porte goes beyond a traditional development strategy. The <br />Strategic Plan we envision for La Porte will contain an economic development strategy plus three <br />additional sections: <br /> <br />(1) Recommendations for adapting the City's Master Plan to account for future economic conditions <br />(2) Recommendations for updating the City's development policies to create an even more liveable city <br />(3) Recommendations for enhancing the City's Main Street Business District to generate an energetic <br />downtown environment <br /> <br />We have customized our team based on the unique needs of this project to include the nation's top experts <br />on issues that matter most to the City. <br /> <br />PROPOSAL: ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN FOR THE CITY OF LA PORTE. RFP #08510 <br /> <br />3 <br />