Project Next: A Regional Economic Evolution

> Information about September 9 event here

Project Background & Goals -

• Recent trends in economic development show that success in the global economy depends on innovation and entrepreneurship. This means that communities must focus on growing and retaining the most educated, talented and creative workers.

• Talent is critical regional success, yet most regions don't tactically think about building their talent base. In partnership with the Alliance for Regional Stewardship, the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber is developing a comprehensive strategy to build Oklahoma City's talent base.

• Successful economic development requires not only aggressive recruitment of business and industry but must also recruit the right people. The project will develop and begin to implement an aggressive strategy to grow and attract people to Central Oklahoma who will fuel economic growth for decades.

• Chamber Chairman Burns Hargis has placed special emphasis on this initiative. This is a Chamber workforce development initiative that complements ongoing economic development initiatives.

• The Human Capital & Diversity project will begin with an assessment phase that will include collection of quantitative and qualitative data. We will look at hard data and will conduct interviews of a representative group of citizens who can share specific ideas about what steps the community should take.

• This is an initiative that will help our city and region to continue to grow. We will seek input from the entire community, including people that may or may not be out traditional partners. We want everyone's ideas about what our community needs to do to continue to evolve successfully.

• The project will be guided by a "Leadership Team" that will be representative of the community. They will develop strategies and facilitate community meetings to get key input. The "Leadership Team" will include individuals that can facilitate implementation of the strategies.

• The strategies will focus on doing things that will make Central Oklahoma attractive to educated and talented individuals and the most successful businesses.