Framing Solutions
Through analysis of the Community Conversation Data, six main themes were identified, with sub-themes emerging within them, which became the Vision for a Thriving Region by 2025. The Power of 32 then convened teams of experts from across the region around each of these issue areas to brainstorming way working as a region would help us achieve the community vision:
Vision for a Thriving Region by 2025
It is 2025 and we are widely known for many great accomplishments:
Economy:
We have the lowest unemployment, the highest rates of educational attainment, and a strong sustained regional cooperation. We have a highly diverse economy with strong entrepreneurial innovations. We have reversed the trend of losing farmland and have actually gained back farmland lost in the first decade of the century.
Education:
We have educational opportunities and schools that are accessible to all. They prepare our youth for a wide range of good jobs, serve a 100 percent literate student body, boast high graduation rates, and are low-cost. We see strong linkages between higher education and business, new local industries, resources to attract and retain entrepreneurs, and programs and institutions for maintaining a highly skilled, highly relevant workforce.
Environment:
Together, we have achieved broad economic growth while preserving our values, integrity, and natural resources. We have built a strong tourist industry. We have developed clean, green technology, community-led environmental protection, robust, environmentally friendly business, and
many recreational outlets for a thriving region, such as bicycle trails and walking paths.
People & Community:
We have communities of diverse, generous, loyal, friendly, proud and successful citizens and boast a worldwide reputation as a great place to raise a family, live, work, and play. Our region offers diverse job opportunities for a diverse work force, and we value our multi-cultural history. Our region favors partnerships and collaboration, and change is no longer rejected as bad. We have strong values, a strong work ethic, and strong neighborhoods.
Governance:
Local governments and elected officials cooperate with each other across boundaries and consistently assess how we can improve our region. There is shared economic growth with more harmony among governments, businesses, and residents. More people vote and are excited to support our visionary elected officials and forward-thinking private organizations.
Transportation & Infrastructure:
We leverage our multi-modal systems legacy to lead the nation in innovation and connectivity including having a clean, easy-to-navigate, efficient, and non-car-dependant transportation system, fully connecting the region without harming our environment or losing the character of our people and places.
Once these issue teams have created a full list of options, the Prioritization phase will begin.