Why Twitter Chose Berlin

Richard Florida writes in The Atlantic about why Berlin will become the new German headquarters of Twitter. More here.

Can a Town Rebrand From Its Racist Past?

 Posted by Mark J. Miller on March 28, 2012 04:36 PM

One Arkansas town that ran most of its black residents out of town back in 1905, burning down homes and shooting out windows, is hoping to let bygones be bygones and recast itself. The small town of Harrison, Arkansas, is now trying to rebrand itself now as a place that’s open to minorities of all stripes, the Associated Press reports.

In a town of 13,000, there are currently only 34 visible minorities that currently live in Harrison, but the town would like to draw more residents and businesses regardless of skin color, the AP adds. Town leaders have created a task force on race relations, invited a civil-rights speaker come in, and printed posters about the city’s past difficulties. But is it all whitewashing? More here.

Study: Interstate bickering hampers region's economy

The Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development presented a report asserting that Chicago's tri-state area's potential is stymied by fragmented and uncoordinated economic development efforts and wasteful border wars.


The 12-month study, conducted by for the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce, is being rolled out on the heels of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's first economic growth plan, unveiled last week.  More here.

Jaguars owner Shahid Khan ready to sell First Coast around the world

Jacksonville (FL) is looking to Jaguars owner Shahid Kahn  to use his global connections to gain more attention and jobs from international firms. 

Khan said he is willing and in training to be  Jacksonville’s No. 1 salesperson. He offers Jaguars jerseys to foreign customers and plans to host international busines executives at Jaguars games.  


Interestingly, in his hometown of Champaign, IL - where his automotive parts firm is headquartered - pursuing international firms has not been a big part of the region’s business strategy. More here. 

City of Janesville to invest in development

The City of Janesville decides to ramp up their marketing effort by spending $22,000 for lead generation and database development services.  More here.

Getting in the game

From an editorial in the Ocala (FL) Star Banner:

There is more to successful economic development than aggressive recruitment, doling out incentives and putting down new utility lines and roads. A lot more.

That was the message this week from consultants for Ocala/Marion County business leaders who are orchestrating the merger of the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Corp. To be competitive, said Jon Roberts of TIP Strategies of Austin, Texas, requires a "holistic view" that creates a unified strategy for both "short-term fixes and long-term transformational initiatives." More here.

Sweden Pitching for More Data Centers

Officials in Sweden are pretty excited about the new Facebook data center in Lulea, as illustrated by this huge ice sculpture of the "Like" symbol. Economic development officials are hoping to leverage that success to win other data center projects. More here. 

Area Development's 8th Annual Site Selection Consultants Survey Results

Good stuff in here for economic development marketers: 8th Annual Site Selection Consultants Survey Results.

Economic alliance forms

Chambers of commerce and economic development groups in the Acadiana and Lake Charles areas have announced plans to form a “super region” for economic development.

The Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce, the Lafayette Economic Development Authority, the Southwest Louisiana Economic Development Alliance in Lake Charles and others are scheduled to meet in Crowley on Friday to sign a pact creating the Greater Southwest Louisiana Super Region. More here. 

City looking for marketing firm to help 'tell the Hudson story'

The City of Hudson, Ohio has allocated $100,000 to promote the city as the place companies need to choose for economic development.

Council legislation allows the city to seek applications from the most qualified person or firm, and not just the lowest bid. 

"We want the most qualified person to reach our goals for this program and that may not always be the lowest," said Economic Development Director Chuck Wiedie.

The marketing program will be done in phases so more than one firm may be involved, Wiedie said.

The initial goal it to develop a brand for the city. Another phase would include meetings with business executives.

"One marketing firm may not get all the work," Wiedie said. "We may split it among different firms depending on the qualifications of people who submit [applications]." More here.