Future requires combined commitment to C-U growth
By MIKE FRITZ

   A number of widely read magazines annually publish lists of communities that are judged to be the most desirable in which to live and work.
   These evaluations usually include the availability of quality housing, proximity to convenient transportation, cultural, entertainment and recreational opportunities, an effective community college, quality schools and accessible, affordable health care.
   It is my belief, however, that none of these qualities can be achieved in the absence of a vibrant and growing local economy. That translates into jobs for the people who live in the community. It's jobs that enable taxes to be paid, houses bought and schools developed.
   Creating and sustaining a good local economy depends upon an effective, focused and efficient private/public partnership of local units of governments and an entrepreneurial business community.
   Local governments can strongly influence economic development through a number of factors, including competitive tax rates, quality municipal services, reasonable and consistent planning and zoning requirements, fair application of local laws and regulations, resources devoted to economic development and a competitive package of local incentives. Good economic development requires a balanced effort between attraction of new businesses and retention of existing businesses. That's because, in reality, more jobs are created through the expansion of existing businesses than through attracting new businesses.
   Most important, however, communities must identify economic development as a major goal and then a "can do," positive attitude must be adopted by key city and county staff as well as by elected officials. There is a perception that our two cities and county government have different positions on economic development. For Champaign-Urbana to thrive, this perception must be replaced with a real, true communitywide commitment to growing our economy.
   Successful economic development is also dependent upon the resources private businesses contribute to this effort. Key among the resources are leadership, entrepreneurial vision and access to capital to make the projects go. Over the years, a small, but very effective, group of local developers has emerged that has brought vision to economic development. Relationships with these individuals should be nurtured because they are crucial to our economic future.
   Through the years, our economy has been driven by agriculture, the University of Illinois, health-care delivery, and, more recently, by a substantial increase in retail activity in the North Prospect area. These sectors have produced a very solid, steadily growing local economy.
   The result has been that anyone currently living in Champaign County can find employment, if desired. Because of the forces that have historically driven our economy, we have, to a great extent, been immune from the economic swings that have negatively affected other communities throughout the country.
   Over the last four or five years, our unemployment rate has averaged less than 3 percent, which is about half of the national average. The number of people employed has averaged almost 91,000, with a consistent county population of about 170,000.
   I would say we have done a reasonable job of economic development, but in the future we must and can do better. An analysis of the Champaign-Urbana job base should raise the question: Do we have our fair share of good jobs that are reflective of the "information age"? This is particularly germane because of the University of Illinois in our midst. I believe the answer to this important question is no. But therein lies the exciting potential for our future economic growth.
   Many of us believe the greatest potential for our economic future rests in our ability to capture our fair share of the businesses and jobs that will be created as a result of the new technology initiative at the University.
   Some months ago the University of Illinois announced a very significant focus on the development of new-age technology and the transfer of its application to the private sector to create new businesses and great jobs. Almost weekly we see evidence of this activity with public announcements of progress. It appears the university believes that for this to be successful, the technology initiative must be based on a public/private partnership.
   As a greater community, we must ask ourselves if this is important to our future. If so, are we ready to commit the local resources necessary to reap our fair share of the benefits of this UI initiative – new companies and great jobs.
   To be successful we must create an unprecedented, effective collaboration between local governments and the business community. We must become a significant and resourceful partner with the University of Illinois. But, do we have a plan in place that can bring local resources to the table? Is it possible to create a more effective consolidation of local efforts that will generate an efficient, timely and successful interface with the university?
   I believe the solution to these challenges depends on creating a unity of purpose among local governments, the Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Champaign/Urbana Economic Partnership and the entrepreneurial leadership of the business community, which will bring focus and strength to our relationship with the University of Illinois. The million-dollar question is whether or not Champaign-Urbana is up to the task at hand. My emphatic answer is "yes" because we have so much to gain.

   Mike Fritz was named senior vice chairman of the board of the Carle Foundation in late 1999. He had been president and chief executive officer of the foundation since 1990. He has been chairman of the Champaign County Chamber of Commerce and the Champaign-Urbana Economic Development Corp., as well as its successor, the Greater Champaign-Urbana Economic Partnership.

   The News-Gazette welcomes comments from readers on the issues raised in this article. Please send your comments to: Editor, The News-Gazette, 15 Main St., P.O. Box 677, Champaign, IL 61824-0677. Send comments by e-mail to news@news-gazette.com.