The Racine County EDP was originally drafted in 2002 and serves as the blueprint for future economic development in Racine County. The original EDP, as well as the EDP 2.0, was approved by the Racine County Economic Development Corporation (RCEDC) Board of Directors and the Racine County Board of Supervisors.
The most recent version of the Plan, the draft EDP 3.0, was completed in May 2005 and is provided here for your comments. Please rate each of the eight challenges and their accompanying strategies and provide any comments that you feel are appropriate.
Thank you for your interest in the future of Racine County.
Sincerely,
Gordy Kacala
Executive Director
Racine County Economic Development Corporation
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CHALLENGE ONE:
TO CULTIVATE AN ENTREPRENEURIAL CULTURE IN RACINE COUNTY
Strategies:
A. Ensure a comprehensive system of entrepreneurial services for both value-added and neighborhood businesses.
B. Work to create an entrepreneurial spirit among students and youth in Racine County.
C. Ensure that pre-entrepreneurs are provided with appropriate training that will enable them to consider starting successful small businesses.
D. Ensure that minority small businesses are provided with appropriate training that will enable them to sustain successful businesses.
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CHALLENGE TWO:
TO FOCUS ON THE IMPORTANCE OF TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION RELATIVE TO THE GROWTH OF EXISTING BUSINESSES AND THE ATTRACTION OF NEW BUSINESSES TO THE COMMUNITY
Strategies:
A. Continue to implement an aggressive and targeted existing business growth and business attraction program for Racine County that is based on:
(1) industries with a recent history of competitiveness and export orientation and,
(2) emerging industries that show a potential for future growth.
B. Focus the resources of the Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation, Inc. on becoming a regional center (Chicago-Milwaukee Corridor) for:
1) leveraging intellectual property assets (inovaTECH);
2) assisting companies in gaining an understanding of new product and marketing
opportunities (inovaDRIVE); and
3) providing intelligence and contacts to support a company’s growth strategy
(inovaSOURCE).
C. Provide secondary financing to existing and new companies that are creating jobs, tax base and personal income to Racine County.
D. Continue the aggressive menu of national speaker and networking events that aligns with technology, innovation and growth industries, as well as other challenges in the Racine County EDP. When possible, partner with other organizations on a regional basis.
E. Provide technical assistance to transition the capabilities of existing Racine County manufacturers to next generation or “advanced” manufacturers.
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CHALLENGE THREE:
TO UTILIZE THE EXISTING NATURAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES, RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES AND BUSINESS LOCATION ADVANTAGES TO PROMOTE A POSITIVE IMAGE OF RACINE COUNTY TO EXISTING RESIDENTS AND THOSE OUTSIDE THE COUNTY
Strategies:
A. Local community development organizations in Racine County will continue to promote a positive image of the County to both internal and external audiences using the brand platform analysis completed by Prophet as the blueprint for the orientation of this initiative.
B. Engage community organizations and secondary and post-secondary education partners in identifying the benefits of living and working in Racine County and promoting a positive image of Racine County to young adults.
C. Racine Unified School District will partner with community organizations to promote a positive image of the school district.
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CHALLENGE FOUR:
TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITIES THAT EXIST AS A RESULT OF THE CHICAGO-MILWAUKEE CORRIDOR AND TO PROPERLY LINK LAND USE WITH FUTURE BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT COUNTY-WIDE
Strategies:
A. Provide high value real estate development opportunities that link Racine County with the Southeast Wisconsin Region and Northern Illinois.
B. Support the extension of commuter rail from Kenosha to Racine and Milwaukee.
D. Use the Smart Growth Initiative to accelerate cooperative area-wide comprehensive planning
C. Address the adequacy of public transportation for serving the needs of low- and moderate-income persons to access job opportunities in Racine County and throughout southeast Wisconsin.
E. Plan for value-added commercial and industrial development in the I-94 and STH-36 corridors.
F. Continue to implement industrial and commercial redevelopment projects in communities throughout Racine County.
G. Continue the current county-wide and local government initiatives to streamline the private sector land development process.
H. Monitor the local economy to identify and retain employers that are considering relocation outside of Racine County.
I. Actively participate in the Milwaukee 7 regional economic development program in order to create a stronger regional economy with a focus on those initiatives that will positively impact the Racine County economy.
J. Monitor the Wisconsin business climate and advocate for changes that will improve the State as a place to do business.
K. Facilitate cooperation between eastern and western Racine County relative to comprehensive planning issues. |
CHALLENGE FIVE:
TO LINK EDUCATION AND TRAINING IN A MANNER THAT PROVIDES A COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE TO MEET THE PRESENT AND FUTURE NEEDS OF LOCAL EMPLOYERS AND TO CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR LOW-INCOME, DISADVANTAGED AND MINORITY INDIVIDUALS TO PREPARE FOR AND OBTAIN EMPLOYMENT
Strategies:
A. Implement “Higher Expectations: A Workforce Strategy for Racine County” that addresses:
1) Continue to meet the workforce needs of our existing employers as they grow and adapt to changing market and economic conditions;
2) Collaborate to prepare employment-ready workers for the emerging industries (as identified by the Racine County Economic Development Corporation) that will drive our County’s future economy; and
3) Work with a coalition of education, private, public and faith based organizations to address the root causes of chronic underemployment in the County, particularly in sections of the inner-city of the City of Racine.
B. Advocate for programs that will impact the high unemployment rates in low-income and minority communities.
C. Focus on the retention and recruitment of knowledge workers necessary to meet the labor force needs of companies in Racine County.
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