BAY ROAD MAP: Chamber Unveils "Going Forward" Plan for 10 Years
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"If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else." Yogi Berra
The Bay Area Chamber of Commerce unveiled its 10-year "Going Forward - Bay County Road Map to the Future" plan Tuesday at an eye-opener breakfast at Bay Valley Hotel & Resort.
"We need to work together, need to be a team and move the community forward," stated Chamber President Mike Seward.
Overall goals include: creation of a business-friendly environment, develop clean and accessible beaches and waterfront recreation, improve visual appeal of neighborhoods, a strong sense of place, outstanding talent and a robust and diverse economy possessing the ability to meet basic needs."
The process was initiated in 2004 with the Whittaker Study, commissioned by the Bay County Board of Commissioners, that made 23 recommendations for community-wide implementation.
The first success was the formation of Bay Future public/private economic development organization.
Among bold statements crafted by a 16-person chamber team led by Dr. George Puia of Saginaw Valley State University and Eileen Curtis of the Bay Area Community Foundation were these involving creation of a strong sense of place:
"Within 10 years, the Bay Area will have a multi-state reputation for its unique and high quality sense of place.
"Among audiences of young professionals and young families, the Bay Area will be recognized as a community for a lifetime.
"Bay County will be highly publicized for its vibrant waterfront, recreational opportunities, historic neighborhoods, and unique cultural opportunities including festivals and events."
To achieve these goals the chamber resolved over the next 18-24 months to:
1. Develop clean and accessible beaches and waterfront recreational opportunities including increased public access to the waterfront, greater waterfront visibility, and programs that provide better coordination of shoreline initiatives.
2. Develop programs that improve the visual appeal of neighborhoods and business districts, including developing and implementing incentive programs for local aesthetic improvements.
The thrust to open a shoreline area now part of the Bay City State Recreation Area was put forward at a meeting of local leaders led by Laura Ogar, Bay County Environmental and Community Development Director, and citizens with state officials last fall.
"We will have a (waterfront access) project," assured Ms. Ogar privately, indicating a positive trend in dealings with the Michigan Department of Narural Resources.
Bay shore dwellers reported having visitors from China and elsewhere seek access to the bay through their property, demonstrating need for greater access to Saginaw Bay.
To achieve the goal of a "robust and diverse economy" the plan states:
"Within 10 years, the Bay Area will have a multi-state reputation for its dynamic and growing business community that takes advantage of the areas' unique natural resources. The Bay area will be recognized for its support of entrepreneurs. The area will increase its professional and technical employment opportunities in diverse industries such as material science, advanced manufacturing, health care, information/technology, management and financial services.
"To reach our 2024 goals for the economy, community leaders in meetings, focus groups and surveys articulated long term goals for the growing the area economy and increasing and sustaining employment. The following programs and processes need implementation over the next 12 to 24 months in order for us to achieve our ten year vision."
Five recommendations in the economic arena were:
1. Continue to make the Bay Area a business-friendly environment; Implement a "blue-ribbon panel" to find ways to reduce red tape, taxes, and/or fees for area businesses.
2. Take advantage of new initiatives like the 'blue economy' movement, the Michigan State University Supply Chain Institute and the SVSU Saginaw Bay Environmental Science Institute in positioning and growing the area economy. - (Blue Economy: Use water in smart and sustainable ways and leveraging unique water assets for economic and community development).
3. Increase support for area entrepreneurs by providing incentives and recognition programs, removes barriers to entrepreneurial entry, creates an atmosphere that nurtures multi-cultural entrepreneurs, and by developing a one-stop support system for entrepreneurs.
4. Continue to find new ways to share services across local government units to improve efficiency and service delivery for businesses.
5. Improve transportation infrastructure to better link Bay County to the region's airport and educational institutions.
Under the "outstanding talent" category, the chamber plan states:
"Within 10 years, the Bay Area will have a multi-state reputation for its dynamic, diverse, and well-educated workforce. The percentage of residents holding post secondary degrees will increase as a result of more students attending college and better educated professionals relocating to the area. The area will be highly regarded for the quality of its P-20 system, and for the engagement and support it receives from the community. The area will boast of improved access to higher education.
"To reach our 2024 goals for the talent environment, community leaders in meetings, focus groups and surveys articulated long term goals for improving the area's talent base. The following programs and processes need implementation over the next 12 to 24 months in order for us to achieve our ten year vision."
Four recommendations were forwarded to achieve the "outstanding talent" goal:
1. Implement programs to strengthen the community approach to P-20 education
2. Explore opportunities to locate university within Bay County to support degree completion programs, support of entrepreneurship and advanced manufacturing, and other programs that would improve the region's economy and quality of life.
3. Continue to improve access to higher education for all Bay area high school graduates
4. Increase and improve linkages between area high schools, high schools students and regional employers through job shadowing, internships and other realistic career preview programs.
The "meeting basic needs" category was summarized:
"Within 10 years, the Bay Area will have a multi-state reputation as a caring community that meets the basic needs of its residents. Health and human service organizations will find rational ways to coordinate their services with governmental agencies to provide more efficient and effective levels of service. New residents to the community will become active volunteers in service organizations, increasing the leadership and support base of the area's non-profit organizations.
"To reach our 2024 goals for meeting area needs, focus groups and surveys articulated long term goals. The following programs and processes need implementation over the next 12 to 24 months in order for us to achieve our ten year vision."
Four recommendations were posed under meeting basic needs:
1. Break the cycle of poverty by improving the economic climate; reducing unemployment takes stress off of health and human service needs and provides a stronger tax base.
2. Build on improving access to health care through Community Health Improvement Plan objectives,
3. Build on improving children's health care to reduce obesity, chronic disease, behavioral habits and abused and neglected children through Community Health Improvement Plan objectives.
4. Address need for adequate, affordable, and diverse supply of housing.
Next steps include a business-government review of the plan, establishment of task forces and quarterly meetings to report progress on goals. ###
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