W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s Post

Read the Report... "With a record $2.58 billion in announced capital investment from economic development projects, Richmond’s FY 2023 accomplishments point a spotlight on our City’s economic vitality and represent the continued progress toward building a more prosperous, inclusive City for all Richmonders." #RVA #economicdevelopment #economicgrowth #lifesciences #technologyhub #talentdevelopment #talentattraction #talentpipeline #talentpool #richmondva

🏗✨ We need action to bring major regeneration projects forward more quickly. That’s according to our CEO and Co-Chair of the True North network, Robert White, who has spoken to Insider Media about the roadblocks that such projects face and the negative impact this is having on the North’s prosperity. “In addition to the time and cost involved in securing the funding for major projects in the first place, communities in the North appear to also be facing increased bureaucracy throughout the development process”, says Robert. "Feedback from stakeholders in the property and construction industry — particularly at our quarterly Building Links networking events for business leaders — is that the planning system is one of the biggest hindrances to development projects across all sectors. Arguably the most disappointing aspect of how lengthy and bureaucratic it appears to be to bring major development projects forward in the North is how this seems to contrast with some major schemes benefitting other parts of the country — in particular the South East.” ➡ Get Robert’s full perspective: https://lnkd.in/eGDr5EsV ➡ Find out how True North is working to drive progress and address the chasm between Northern productivity and prosperity: https://lnkd.in/eqv-5zf5 #BrabnersTrueNorth

Another #EconDevWeek highlight goes out to the Economic Ecosystem! Providing economic support requires a holistic collaborative approach, which is why we have the Economic Ecosystem in Brookings. The Ecosystem is a powerhouse partnership among local organizations, including the Research Park, BEDC, the Chamber, Downtown Brookings, and Visit Brookings. These organizations all rally behind one common goal: advancing the economic vitality of Brookings! How do we do this? Through our five-year economic development master plan. This Master Plan is a blueprint for sparking and supporting strategic business and community development in Brookings. From nurturing startups to enhancing infrastructure or championing local initiatives, each part of the Master Plan is designed to make Brookings an ideal place to live and work. Interested in learning more about the Ecosystem and the Economic Master Plan? Check out the link below! https://lnkd.in/g8R8b5_G

Part 1: 5. A New Foundation Set against the backdrop of a bustling metropolis known both for its towering skyscrapers and stark socioeconomic divides, “A New Foundation” tells the story of a group of young, idealistic entrepreneurs led by Jasmine Rivera. Disheartened by the rampant corruption and unethical practices within the real estate industry, they set out to establish a different kind of real estate company—one built on the pillars of transparency, ethical practices, and community empowerment. The Genesis Jasmine, a seasoned architect disillusioned by her experiences with traditional real estate developers, shares her vision of an ethical real estate firm with her friends and colleagues, Leo, a sustainability expert, and Maya, a community organizer. Together, they brainstorm the concept of “Verdant Spaces,” a company that not only develops properties but also fosters community growth and environmental sustainability. Challenges Abound The trio faces skepticism from potential investors and obstacles from established industry players who view their ethical approach as naive and unprofitable. Additionally, navigating bureaucratic hurdles and acquiring initial funding without compromising their values proves to be a daunting task. First Projects and Community Involvement Verdant Spaces’ first project, a dilapidated block in a neglected neighborhood, becomes a testament to their mission. The team envisions transforming it into affordable housing units with communal gardens and spaces for local businesses. They involve the community in every step of the process, from design to construction, ensuring that the project meets the real needs of the residents. Overcoming Skepticism As Verdant Spaces starts to take shape, Jasmine and her team organize community workshops and open houses to showcase their vision and build trust within the community. They face pushback from real estate moguls and political challenges but remain steadfast, slowly winning over skeptics with their transparency and genuine commitment to positive impact.

Don't you hate it when you miss the exit for Utopia and wind up in dystopia? Some Silicon Valley investors are known for their ambitious nature, which can sometimes border on narcissism depending on who you ask. Case in point is their plan to build an entirely new city from scratch complete with the belief that they can do it better than anyone else. The first true test of the grand master plan will soon begin with gathering signatures to get on November's ballot. High housing costs, rising crime...yes, the San Francisco Bay Area has its share of problems. But have no fear! A group of Valley billionaires is here to save the day. Well, under the moniker of California Forever, these investors have quietly acquired land over the past five years in the northern part of the state in a place called Solano County. Known more for rolling hillsides, family-owned farms, and cows mulling around, this place could become a mega suburb with dense housing and walkable streets set on 60,000 rural acres. What this proposed oasis actually looks like remains to be seen, but given the tech pedigree of the investors involved, you can bet technology and office campuses are in the mix. One interesting selling point for Utopia North is the availability of affordable housing. That would seem to be at odds with reality given the tech industry has been mostly responsible for the skyrocketing housing costs up and down the state. And the bigger plan is to woo other industries like defense, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and biotech to open up offices there. If this feels reminiscent of a storyline from an episode of Scooby-Doo, you're not alone. Meddling kids or not, convincing and securing the approval of Solano County residents who are understandably dubious of the shady billionaires and their secretive plan for a new community whose name sounds like a celebrity cemetery is as ambitious as betting $800 million so far on the idea. Whether you think this is a cult for the wealthy or a potentially viable community for all, the bigger consideration is that these billionaire investors are doubling down on the Bay Area, while others have written it off. You don't need crop circles to tell you that means something https://lnkd.in/gTFXUyDM #realestate #bayarea #siliconvalley #solanocounty #technology #california #cities #culture

Another PlaNYC:GSD commitment realized with Mayor Adams today unveiling the Green Economy Action Plan to make NYC a leader in “green collar” jobs. This ambitious plan invests in jobs and sectors that will help the city combat climate change, and train and position New Yorkers — particularly those from environmentally-disadvantaged communities — to benefit from the nearly 400,000 projected “green-collar” jobs in New York City by 2040. Critical to this plan is the creation of a new "Climate Innovation Hub" at the Brooklyn Army Terminal, which will help grow green technology startups and businesses, and which will be joined together with the Trust for Governors Island and the Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corporation to create a green economy ecosystem across three campuses that will support 5,000 new permanent jobs, educate and train 2,100 New Yorkers, and generate $55 billion of economic impact. Read the full plan here: https://lnkd.in/g6-Q-2cz

There is a great need for innovation infrastructure in the Northwest of Toronto. With the help of our partners, we’re here to do something about it. 💪🏿 In this four-part series, we take a deeper look at the findings of our report - Element Centre: Leveraging Innovation Infrastructure for Community Resilience - and the steps we are taking alongside our partners to cultivate a mixed-use innovation hub. Our report is a stark reminder of the need for more improvements to be centred in more diverse areas of the city, including the Jane and Finch area. The study is out! But there is still work to be done. Please visit the link below to access the full report and pre-design study, provide feedback in our survey, and learn more about how to partner with us on this project. We believe that with the help of our community, we can build a better, brighter future for Black and diverse individuals in Northwest Toronto. 💡 https://lnkd.in/gnc4ujsg A special thanks to our partners for making this project possible: Black Creek Community Health Centre, YSpace, York University, North York Community House, BlackNorth Initiative, Untitled Planning, Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario | Agence fédérale de ... for Southern Ontario and AKAFLDWRK 🎉 #BEACommunity #Innovation #Infrastructure #Toronto #BlackEntrepreneurs #Forum #ChangeMakers #BIPOCEntrepreneurs #BIPOCProfessionals

Today, Crain's Chicago Business published this outstanding Op-Ed by Kendra Jackson Freeman, the Vice President of Programs and Strategic Impact at the Metropolitan Planning Council in Chicago. She outlines her philosophy of city-wide inclusive planning for large projects that can significantly alter the trajectory of our city. Recently, we witnessed two remarkable large-scale economic development initiatives: the “Illinois Quantum & Microelectronics Park” on the South Side of Chicago and the expansion of the United Center on the West Side. These projects are among the most substantial economic development efforts in Chicagoland over the past decades. Drawing from the Metropolitan Planning Council’s 90 years of experience, Kendra is formulating four planning principles crucial for anyone involved in inclusive economic development: - Follow the plans we have already created. - Public funding should benefit the public good. - Every community is valued and has a voice. - Expand places to live, work, and play. Kendra concludes her Op-Ed with empowering and insightful words: “To create the future we want, we cannot forego the opportunity to implement these principles. Doing so will ensure a better public return on investment, and just as important, a more exciting and equitable future. We should build not just for ourselves or for the sake of development, but for our children and the generations to come.” Well said, indeed.

NEW VIDEO: See CEO and Chairman, Chad McWhinney, discuss the transformative future of communities driven by holistic real estate development during his recent talk at The University of Denver. In this session, he explores how the convergence of technology and smart mixed-use spaces is reshaping neighborhoods, blurring the lines between living, working, and leisure. He also delves into the concept of hybrid communities that seamlessly integrate residential areas with workplaces, retail, and recreational amenities. Watch now: https://lnkd.in/g-VEXsys #mcwhinney #mcwhinneyrealestate #realestate #univerityofdenver #entrepreneurs

🌟Partner Spotlight: We Prosper Together🌟 We Prosper Together, led by Valley Vision and funded by California Jobs First, champions inclusivity in the Capital Region's economic landscape, focusing on historically marginalized stakeholders and communities across the Capital Region. Our mission is to foster an inclusive economy collaborative reflecting the region's diversity. Leveraging local and nationwide expertise and ongoing regional processes, including governmental initiatives, workforce development, and community-based organizations, we are building a strategic model that will provide pre-development funds to build economic development projects, support the growth of tradeable industry, and create quality jobs that are accessible by all of the region’s residents. By prioritizing high-quality, accessible job creation, transparency, and equity, we strive to cultivate a sustainable, inclusive economy across Colusa, Yolo, Sutter, Yuba, Nevada, Placer, El Dorado, and Sacramento counties. We're looking forward to sharing more about this project as it develops in the coming months. Learn more at: https://lnkd.in/gGvMb8kY #workforcedevelopment #economicdevelopment #equity #weprospertogether Photo credit: We Prosper Together website