Two years ago the Urban Land Institute launched the ULI Florida Initiative on Regional Cooperation. The initiative was led by the ULI Florida Statewide Committee on Regional Cooperation, a broad cross section of Florida leaders from the public, private and non-profit sectors. They agreed to take on this assignment because they recognized the critical importance of regional cooperation to the future economic competitiveness and livability of Florida and its communities. ULI is grateful to the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation and the four ULI Florida District Councils for making this program possible. The committee’s recommendations are available in the report, Building Florida’s Future - State Strategies for Regional Cooperation.
 
Why is this important?
 
The ULI Florida Committee’s recommendations, based on fact finding, research and careful listening across the state, recognized the importance for regional approaches and solutions to ensure quality of life and success in the global economy. The committee’s recommendations focus on how the state can embrace this new regional reality. If Florida is to achieve a competitive advantage as it continues to accommodate a growing and changing population, the time to act is now!
 
To match this new regional reality, citizens, public officials and business leaders across the state are starting to think and act regionally. Many local leaders have already come together to solve particular regional issues or to build broad-based regional coalitions. One such example of this best practice is myregion.org – an organization made up of citizens and leaders from public, private and institutional sectors seeking to prepare the seven-county Central Florida region to compete more effectively in the 21^st century while enhancing the quality of life of the region’s residents.
 
What next?
 
Florida is comprised of distinct, yet interrelated regions that, in order to prosper, need the support and encouragement of key political, business and community leaders like you! In the coming months, committee members and other ULI leaders will be meeting with state officials, key interest groups and many others to publicize and glean feedback on these recommendations. By working together and creating opportunities for regional collaboration, the entire state will benefit and thrive as we face the challenges and opportunities of the 21^st Century.
 
For further information or to provide your comments and recommendations, please go to www.uli.org/floridaregionalcooperation or contact Shelley Lauten, Director-Florida Initiative Urban Land Institute, 407.835.2484.