Strong Regions Smart Business Vital Communities

San Francisco Bay Area Economic growth and prosperity in the 1990s Housing costs skyrocket, poverty accelerates Bank of America makes loans and investments of $5 billion to promote home ownership among low-income residents

Chicago, Illinois Jobs-housing mismatch lowers productivity System Sensor has urban workforce/suburban plant Employers sign Metropolis Principles commit to locate plants near affordable housing/mass transit

Austin, Texas Applied Materials locates manufacturing plant in East Austin Commitment to hiring local residents Wealth Gap between professionals and production workers AM launches 10-year Sustainable Neighborhood Initiative

Common Themes Business competitiveness linked to health of the region Individual business efforts have limited impact Solving regional problems requires collective approach Workforce Transportation Housing Education

Common Themes Strong Region Business competitiveness linked to health of the region Individual business efforts have limited impact Solving regional problems requires collective approach

MetroBusinessNet Action learning network of business-based civic organizations Models for business-led socio-economic change Forum for sharing experiences, learning from experts Documenting lessons Creating database of promising practices

MetroBusinessNet Partners Bay Area Council Chicago Metropolis 2020 St. Louis Regional Chamber and Growth Association Washington Board of Trade Austin Area Research Organization/ Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce

MetroBusinessNet Improving Business Competitiveness Promoting Regionalism Seeking Economic and Social Equity

Region is Operating Landscape for Business Business draws on regional: Workforce Transportation system Housing Education and training system Supplier network

Smart Businesses = Strong Region + Vital Communities Walkable central cities Open space and parks Urban streetlife and nightlife Vibrant neighborhoods Good public transit Ample housing choices Good education systems

Regional Challenges are Business Challenges Business performance impacted by: Abandoned central cities Racial segregation Sprawl Traffic and gridlock High housing costs

Regional Challenge: Housing Costs In San Francisco, Exorbitant housing costs Firms unable to attract talent Competitive edge threatened $128,094 $259,250 $475, Source: National Association of Realtors Median single family home price in San Francisco

Regional Challenge: Urban Decline Urban flight in St. Louis Population decline over time Source: U.S. Census In St. Louis, Dramatic population decrease Racial segregation increases Vacant lots and buildings in urban core Struggle to attract young workers 750, , , , ,112

Regional Challenges: Transportation In Washington, D.C. area, Congested highways stress employees 34% spend less time with families 26% taking more public transportation 28% considering moving from region

Problem-Solving Through Collaboration Not your fathers Chamber of Commerce Progressive business civic organizations Collaborative model of decision making

The New Business Civic Organization Multisector collaboration and partnership Regional perspective Research and analysis Activism

Bay Area Council $100 million for Smart Growth Fund$100 million for Smart Growth Fund Investments in inner-city neighborhoodsInvestments in inner-city neighborhoods Market rate of return on investmentMarket rate of return on investment Social return to community in jobs, housing, transitSocial return to community in jobs, housing, transit Regional Business Solutions: Invest in Smart Growth

Chicago Metropolis 2020 Cost to business of jobs-housing mismatch documentedCost to business of jobs-housing mismatch documented Metropolis Principles developedMetropolis Principles developed Workforce housing policies proposedWorkforce housing policies proposed Regional Business Solutions: Business Location

Regional Business Solutions: Urban Revitalization St. Louis Revitalize urban core through Bio & Life Sciences Technopolis Retrofit old warehouses and manufacturing facilities Attract firms and talent Improve neighborhoods

3 Key Roles for the Business Community Strategic investment of core operating resources Advocate for public policies that promote sustainable and inclusive regional growth Active partner in multi-sector regional coalitions

Key Challenges Hard for business leaders to move beyond the charity model Business leaders dont necessarily see how their self- interest is served by a regional perspective Big cultural divide between business and community leaders

Shaping Your Regions Future Work through business civic organization Build regional perspective Form collaborative partnerships Invest in research and analysis

MetroBusinessNet Resources MBN network Case Studies Best practices database Research and analysis tools

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