After two years of extensive data gathering, analysis and collaboration, myregion.org is fast-approaching the rollout of the Central Florida Regional SourceBook, presenting “regional strategies for change” in the five key areas identified by the Executive Committee: Quality of Life, Economic Leadership, Environmental Collaboration, Advancing Education and Smart, Quality, Growth.

This one of a kind process has received credit for a number of regional initiatives already underway around the country in the areas of education, economic development, transportation, infrastructure and regional planning in other metropolitan areas.

For example, the Carolinas Partnership a 15-county economic development partnership was formed to promote its region and led to the adoption of a regional approach to economic development in North Carolina. Additionally, in 1998, voters there approved a half-cent sales tax to fund a regional transit plan as the first step toward a $2.3 billion transit system. Michael Gallis & Associates is widely credited for laying the groundwork for the success of that vote. In addition, University of North Carolina Charlotte, once a masters level institution, redefined itself as a level 2 Ph.D. granting research university to meet the needs of the growing metropolitan region.

In Cincinnati, university presidents met for the first time to discuss their common future. The project led to the creation of an initiative to develop a 60-mile Ohio River corridor for environmental enhancement of the region.

In Connecticut, the development of the framework had multiple benefits for statewide land use and economic development, including identification of the unknown economic clusters of the state, and the development of new marketing techniques across new geographies.

In Memphis, the work of regional leaders guided by Michael Gallis & Associates, led to the creation of a bio-tech foundation involving the medical school, major hospital and businesses involved in the medical industry. The region also felt confident enough to pursue a third major bridge over the Mississippi at a cost of $600 million to solidify its role as a major transcontinental hub linking the eastern and western halves of the continental grid.

When the Central Florida Regional SourceBook is presented to our community in July, we are certain that our region will begin a new chapter in its history, one that will impact the ways in which businesses, institutions and governments can successfully approach the 21st century.