;)
Says Scott Polikov, urban planner and civic entrepreneur, "Not so long ago, local economic development strategies revolved almost exclusively around recruiting businesses. 'Quality of life' was just a buzzword used as the calling card of the local neighborhood activists.
But not today! Economic development worth its salt has become firmly connected to place, and to the environment. The quality of life of our neighborhoods, our cities and our regions has now become a bottom-line factor for many business decisions." (Read the full Citiwire.net column here.)
Thrive feels strongly that the region's success will be measured by overall improvements and maintenance of quality of life in the region. Stewardship is an economic imperative.
This is why Thrive has a working focus on quality of life initiatives as a fundamental part of its Strategic Plan. The two issues we have been charged with for our 2007-2009 plan are education and transportation.
The Quality of Life Spectrum
Because economic development and quality of life go hand-in-hand, the two are integrated into all of our work. It's important to acknowledge that quality of life means different things to different people.
Consider the quality of life spectrum: to some people, quality of life means organic food - to others, it means having a job that lets you put food on the table. It could be clean lakes. It could be good schools.
We select projects and initiatives that actively preserve or enhance our region's quality of life. Not every project includes every quality of life component. However, each project includes one or more pieces of the quality of life spectrum.
Consider the quality of life spectrum: to some people, quality of life means organic food - to others, it means having a job that lets you put food on the table. It could be clean lakes. It could be good schools.
We select projects and initiatives that actively preserve or enhance our region's quality of life. Not every project includes every quality of life component. However, each project includes one or more pieces of the quality of life spectrum.
Regional Transportation Discussions
Thrive convened and facilitated a conversation for a group of elected leaders to advance regional solutions for our transportation needs. This group worked together to identify a process to move forward on a regional transportation solution.
We want to applaud the leadership of our elected officials for finding a solution to move the region forward on the issue of transportation, and we acknowledge their demonstrated commitment to collaboration.
Read the new approach to expand the discussion on regional transportation here.
We want to applaud the leadership of our elected officials for finding a solution to move the region forward on the issue of transportation, and we acknowledge their demonstrated commitment to collaboration.
Read the new approach to expand the discussion on regional transportation here.
Quality of Life Survey
To help achieve Thrive's vision, in 2008 the Thrive Quality of Life Committee launched a regional survey effort to identify the quality of life issues of importance to residents in the Madison Region. This report serves as the foundation for the development of an annual report on the STATE OF THE REGION. This next phase of work is already underway to identify which quality of life indicators can be quantified and tracked and what other indicators exist that greatly influence these key quality of life issues for the region. With its introduction in August and full completion in December of 2008, the STATE OF THE REGION report will bring traditional economic indicators together with quality of life indicators for a unique set of metrics that will help guide and monitor the long-term impact of our region's collective efforts.
Who are we?
Thrive is a not-for-profit economic development organization supporting the eight-county Madison Region in Wisconsin.
Our counties include: Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock and Sauk.
Our vision: To grow the Madison Region's economy in ways that preserve and enhance the quality of life.
Our counties include: Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock and Sauk.
Our vision: To grow the Madison Region's economy in ways that preserve and enhance the quality of life.