WHAT: Thrive, the economic development partnership for the eight-county Madison Region, presents the 2011 State of the Madison Region: Advance Now Community Leadership Summit, exploring key findings from the Advance Now Competitive Assessment phase. Based on economic research and public input from more than 1,500 Madison Region leaders and residents, Thrive and consultants from Market Street Services will examine the region’s competitive position as it relates to demographics, the economy, and quality of life when compared to select peer regions. Attendees will be asked to respond to the findings, sharing their perspective and priorities to help guide the Advance Now strategic planning process.
WHEN: Thursday, November 10, 3:30-5pm (with networking reception to follow)
WHERE: Monona Terrace Community & Convention Center, One John Nolen Dr, Madison, WI
RSVP: Advance registration is requested for the Summit. Please contact Betsy Lundgren at blundgren@thrivehere.org or 608.443.1961
DETAILS: Advance Now: Madison Region’s Strategy for Economic Growth is a comprehensive, action-oriented regional economic development strategy that will systematically move the Madison Region’s economy forward. The eight-month development process engages citizens, as well as public- and private-sector leaders from throughout the region, to define a shared vision for sustained economic growth. The project will culminate in a detailed implementation plan that includes tangible performance metrics, capacity assessments, and one-to-five year action plans. More details can be found at advancenow.thrivehere.org .
An executive summary of the Competitive Assessment and download link for the full report will be distributed to media on Wednesday, November 9. Interviews with Thrive and/or consultants from Market Street Services may be requested for November 10 between the hours of 11am and 3pm, or during the week that follows. To schedule an interview, contact Betsy Lundgren at blundgren@thrivehere.org or 608.443.1961.
Support for Advance Now is provided by American Family Insurance, Madison Gas & Electric, and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.
ABOUT THRIVE:
Thrive is the economic development partnership for the eight-county Madison Region, established to grow the region’s economy in ways that preserve and enhance quality of life. We are committed to providing businesses and communities with efficient access to capital; growing the industries and sectors that comprise our region’s greatest assets; informing smart decision-making by delivering valuable research and data; and collaborating across communities to share best practices and promote our region. The Madison Region includes Columbia, Dane, Dodge, Green, Iowa, Jefferson, Rock, and Sauk counties.
ABOUT MARKET STREET SERVICES:
Based in Atlanta, Georgia, Market Street Services, Inc. was founded in 1997 as an alternative to the traditional community and economic development consulting firm. The company’s experience and perspective is firmly rooted in the knowledge gained from being practitioners in the field, rather than looking “from the outside in.” The firm’s founder and CEO, J. Mac Holladay has more than 30 years of experience in community and economic development, both as a Chamber professional and as state economic development director. Market Street’s staff has worked with clients throughout the country to not only devise measurable, achievable strategies, but also have first-hand experience in clarifying what is needed from an organizational standpoint to successfully implement those strategies.
