DRAFT
CEDS
Goals & Objectives
The first
goal addresses the desire to have our existing and future workforce educated
and well trained to face today’s and tomorrow’s demands in business. This requires a literate population, a
technology oriented population, an adaptable population and a community where
educators and business leaders continually prepare our students in school and
in the work place.
1. Develop and maintain a knowledge based
workforce to meet the needs and opportunities of a 21st century innovation economy
1.1 Improve literacy
1.2 Motivate interest in Science, Technology,
Engineering and Math
1.3 Teach basic work skills and the foundations
of a market economy
1.4 Coordinate training programs with workforce
needs
1.5 Improve graduation rates
1.6 Develop cooperative programs between local
higher education institutions and K-12 schools
1.7 Teach technical education in schools and
industry
1.8 Attract and retain young professionals to
work in the region
1.9 Develop classes taught by business leaders
that engenders understanding and appreciation of entrepreneurial values
1.10 Ensure that health care workforce
development meets the needs of the healthcare community
The second
goal aims to support existing and promote future innovation based businesses
and create a culture where innovation is a community norm. Success is dependent on the community’s
willingness to engage in research and development, capital availability, and
having cutting edge technology present.
2. Develop and implement innovation led
economic development (ILED) programs and support innovation led businesses in
Region 2000
2.1 Help our existing innovation led businesses
such as nuclear, wireless and health care technology succeed
2.2 Recruit businesses and industries in
high-wage, targeted industry clusters
2.3 Encourage regional economic diversity
through innovation
2.4 Promote a entrepreneurial business culture
and access to capital
2.5 Support the Center for Advanced Engineering
and Research, universities conducting technology
R & D and private sector knowledge creation initiatives that create
opportunities for commercialization and transfer of
technology
2.6 Keep a regional perspective in all
endeavors. Forge and maintain alliances
that are private/public and inter-jurisdictional
The
third goal is about product. It
addresses those things that constitute the expected level of offerings in a
community for it to be competitive as an attractive place for business to
succeed.
3. Ensure the region has well-planned and well
publicized, state-of-the-art infrastructure to facilitate the growth of
high-wage and high growth industry clusters
3.1 Develop a regional technology park
3.2 Pursue development of appropriate
commercial, industrial, and technology research-oriented parks
3.3 Expand information infrastructure and
telecommunications systems, especially in underserved areas
3.4 Continue to develop water and wastewater
infrastructure to meet commercial demand and facilitate growth. These projects should be regional when appropriate
3.5 Rehabilitate vacant, underutilized buildings
and revitalize blighted and downtown areas
3.6 Market our products using multiple venues
with multiple targets
The
fourth goal addresses a major concern in Region 2000, transportation. Whether it is materials, product, labor,
management or training, everything that is not here but needed to succeed in
business must be available in a timely manner.
4. Promote and
enhance inter-regional transportation systems
4.1 Work for increased air services at the Lynchburg
Airport
4.2 Support the “regionalization” of the airport
facility and airport authority
4.3 Work for increased services from and to the
Kemper Street Train Station to points east, west, north and south
4.4 Improve facilities and services (including
multi-modal) at the Kemper Street Train Station
4.5 Support and market U.S. Rt. 29 as a primary
economic artery for the Commonwealth
4.6 Design and implement efficiency and capacity
along U. S. 29 particularly with regards to the completion of the southern portion of the Lynchburg by-pass and the construction of a Charlottesville by-pass
4.7 Promote the integration of community
planning and development efforts with past, current and anticipated
transportation investments
The
fifth goal addresses work related yet non-work issues that affect our quality
of life. Cultural stimulus from
performing and visual arts to recreational activities; from shopping
opportunities to clean country living, are all essential in order for a
community to thrive. We also place a
premium on quality health care. This
“catch-all” goal covers a variety of essential issues to an economically
successfully region.
5. Maintain and promote the region’s natural
beauty, health care, cultural amenities and tourism opportunities
5.1 Promote our great outdoor recreational
opportunities to residents and tourists
5.2 Expand recreation offerings in an
environmentally sensitive manner
5.3 Invest in and promote performing and visual arts
to residents, tourists and potential business persons
5.4 Promote
alternative energy production and sustainable development practices
5.5 Support existing retail business and develop
a “destination shops” segment to our retail offerings
5.6 Support the production and marketing of agricultural
and silvicultural products
5.7 Support and market our health care industry
