Economic viability study seeking Laramie County residents’ input

By Austin Huguelet

CHEYENNE – A research firm hired to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the local economy wants to know what Laramie County residents think about where they live and what they want improved in the future.

An online survey hosted by Atlanta-based Market Street Services as part of a larger economic viability study asks residents’ opinions on a number of issues that regularly make news and impact their everyday lives.

One question, for example, asks participants to rate things like Cheyenne’s availability of affordable housing, public safety, and shopping and dining options.

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CHEYENNE AND LARAMIE COUNTY COMMUNITY INPUT WANTED

By Doug Randall

Residents of the greater Cheyenne area are being asked for their input on the community by the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce.

The process of getting feedback started last week with meetings with focus groups and a steering committee meeting. Market Street Services of Atlanta has been hired to do research for a Community and Economic Development Strategy that will be developed using survey results.

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Opportunity Austin: How a relatively quiet effort supercharges a regional economy

By Daniel Salazar

One of the region's most influential economic development programs is well into its second decade, though it isn't a household name. Despite the roaring economy — or perhaps because of it — its leaders say there are no plans to slow down.

Opportunity Austin is a five-county economic development initiative by the Austin Chamber of Commerce known well to local business insiders, but doesn't have much of a public profile. The behind-the-scenes effort entails hundreds of investors contributing millions of dollars every five years. Their money and attention is focused broadly to just about every nook and cranny of the city. Sure, there is old-fashioned corporate retention and job-creation strategies, but school children, poor residents and even roads, buses and trains get attention because all affect the region's economic success.

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St. Petersburg chamber of commerce charts ‘Grow Smarter’ economic development strategy

By Richard Danielson

ST. PETERSBURG — What started more than five years ago as an exploratory conversation among a handful of business leaders blossomed Friday into a full-blown community discussion of how to nurture business while working to make sure St. Peterburg’s urban renaissance doesn’t leave anyone behind.

"Grow Smarter" is the mantra adopted by the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce, and organizers said it’s built on a commitment to bring many people and groups into the conversation.

"This is kind of the beginning of the next phase," chamber board chairman and Regions Bank market president Jim Donatelli told 220 entrepreneurs, civic leaders, government officials, educators and others during a half-day summit at Pinellas Technical College.

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