Top Regional Community stories

Note: Links are now at the end of excerpt or next to organization when mentioned. This is to deal with Yahoo Groups format conversion problems. Any suggestions to improve readability are welcome. Ed.

 

  1. Regionalism: A Bigger Idea: As The State's 169 Towns Grapple With Ever-Escalating Costs In A Worsening Economy, It's Time To Tear Down The Walls - Hartford Courant – Hartford, CT, USA

Forty-nine years ago, the General Assembly voted to abolish county government in Connecticut. There wasn't much left of it by then, just county jails, high sheriffs, courthouses and a couple of lesser functions. As advocates saw it, the measure, effective in 1960, got rid of a vestigial, redundant, patronage-driven anachronism. Few if any legislators thought that regional entities such as the state's eight counties might have some future use.

But in 1959, cities were still strong, costs were relatively low and growth was the byword. Times have changed. A severe economic downturn, stagnant growth and the sharply rising cost of local government have many wondering if regional consolidation might not only be desirable but essential to maintaining many programs and services.

…

WHAT IS IT?

"Regionalism" is a rather bureaucratic and imprecise term for expanding the geographical base on which a particular government service is performed. It is a deceptively hard concept to get across, in part because it's rarely clear what the optimal size of a region should be for the delivery of a particular service. This is reflected in the regional entities we do have. Despite the state's almost sacred sense of localism, we have, according to a 2000 study by the state Advisory Committee on Intergovernmental Relations, about 1,000 intergovernmental ventures of various types and sizes. …

WHY DO IT?

…

• The status quo is getting frightfully expensive.

…

• Some problems cannot be solved on a local level.

…

• Metro regions are the economic engines that drive the nation's prosperity.

…

At the same time, we should look at the imaginative enhancement of existing regional entities. A bold example would be to merge the boards of the Capitol Region Council of Governments [http://www.crcog.org/] and the Metropolitan District Commission. The resulting entity could be the kind of strong regional presence that gets things done.

…

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/editorials/hc-commentaryregionalism1012.artoct12,0,1600697.story

  2. Fayetteville Launches Economic Development Workshop - The Morning News - Springdale, AR, USA

A great site, reliable electricity, access to transportation and cheap labor used to be the recipe for economic development. Some places still try to use that mixture, experts say.

But in today's "knowledge-based" economy, the ingredients for job growth -- and indeed, the growth of a region -- are the people.

"It's not so much about creating jobs, it's about creating human capital," Eva Klein, an economic development consultant who specializes in working with university communities, told business, civic and community members Tuesday night.

Because in the delicate matrix of economic development, the variables today are people, place and promotion, Klein said in her introductory meeting with the Fayetteville community. The city spends the rest of the week meeting with focus groups to establish what sort of economic-growth strategy it wants to take.

Growing smart quality workers is important, Klein said. But an economic development strategy must consider place and how to create a place that attracts people.

"When you have knowledge and you have mobility, it means people have choice," she said. "Smart people will go to where smart people want to be."

And when thinking about growing a region, promoting the region is part of the picture.

"And I don't think you can promote small cities or counties," Klein said. "You have to promote regions."

"It matters now to be visible on a global scale," …

"People on the East Coast or Europe don't know the county lines in Northern California," she added. "But they know Northern California."

A successful strategy for Fayetteville must look beyond city and county lines and take in all of Northwest Arkansas.

"What we need is to have the competency on the one hand, and the sense of place on another (and make sure they're both) noticeable," Klein said. "And with a city of 70,000, …

http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/10/14/news/101508fzeconwkshp.txt

RC: Northwest Arkansas Regional Planning Commission http://www.nwarpc.com/

  3. West Michigan's DNA: Regionalism - MLive.com - MI, USA

As the University of Michigan/Urban Land Institute Real Estate Forum comes to West Michigan for the first time since the event began 22 years ago, organizers have a lot to tell newcomers about the region.

…

One point that Don Stypula, executive director of Grand Valley Metro Council [http://www.gvmc.org/], wants to emphasize is West Michigan leaders' ability to work together. That is the basis of the final panel discussion, beginning at 1 p.m. Thursday, titled "Regionalism -- The Future of Michigan," which Stypula will moderate.

"The reason we're so successful in West Michigan with economic development opportunities is because we get along -- we collaborate, cooperate, understand each other," Stypula said.

While growing up in Detroit, then living in Lansing, Stypula believed an "us-versus-them" mentality was an ingrained part of human behavior. When he moved to West Michigan, however, the level of collaboration and cooperation stunned him.

"People say it's in the DNA here," he said. "Maybe it is."

Greg Northrup, president of West Michigan Strategic Alliance, defines collaboration as a "joint work toward a common end."

Northrup, who will lead a Thursday morning roundtable discussion, "Better Together: Regionalism Works," said the Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds is a great example of collaboration in West Michigan.

"The watersheds are such a good example of collaboration, because they're an asset of the entire region," he said. "It's important to collaborate between government, education and business to be successful as a region."

Although community leaders here disagree at times, Stypula said, they are successful because of the way they disagree.

Stypula has two lessons he wants attendees from other parts of Michigan to take away from the two-day forum. First, with superb leadership, they can create the same kinds of collaborative environments in their regions. …

http://www.mlive.com/businessreview/oakland/index.ssf/2008/10/west_michigans_dna_regionalism.html

  4.  How to Pay for Roads Still Traveled - New West - Missoula, MT, USA

…

As politically unpalatable as it seems now — and that would be "very" — some experts believe within a few decades we'll be tolling not just managed highway lanes with time- or congestion-related variable fees but tolling every mile traveled, via GPS devices planted on most if not all vehicles. "VMT tolling" or "mileage fees" have already been studied in Puget Sound and Oregon, and imposed on heavy trucks in Germany. This month, the Atlanta Regional Commission mused publicly about the unsustainability of the federal gas tax and the attractiveness of mileage fees. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported:

    The board of the Atlanta Regional Commission is studying the idea of eventually dropping the federal gas tax, the main source of transportation funding, as it looks for "sustainable" transportation funding. The gas tax doesn't rise with inflation and gets weaker every year. The ARC, metro Atlanta's planning agency, hasn't approved a final statement on the issue and has no authority to implement it. The agency is giving its recommendations to Congress, as it begins to look toward renewing the multiyear federal transportation funding law.

    The gas tax is charged as cents-per-gallon instead of cents-per-dollar, so the same size tank always reaps the same amount of money in taxes, no matter how much the price of gas goes up. …

For now, to untie Atlanta's grimly congested traffic, the state transportation department is pushing a $400 million-plus plan to convert the region's 44 miles of carpool lanes to electronically-tolled high-occupancy and toll (HOT) lanes, …

Closer to home, the rationale for considering mileage fees was also well-stated by Oregon officials. A report from ODOT to the Legislature makes the case for advance planning even if political acceptance isn't an immediate prospect. …

http://www.newwest.net/topic/article/how_to_pay_for_roads_still_traveled/C35/L35/

  5. Cities, towns scouting to save money - Berkshire Eagle - Pittsfield, MA, USA

Models for regionalizing local government services like schools, emergency dispatch centers and public health programs should get a second look, according to new report, as cities and towns search for new ways to save money in a struggling economy.

Even as the state looks to stave off cuts in local aid to municipalities across the state this year, public officials and finance experts agree it could be increasingly difficult in the coming two to three years to maintain the same level of state support for cities and towns.

A new report, to be released today by the Pioneer Institute, suggests regionalization of a variety of services could be one way for local leaders to make up the difference and still maintain the same level of service expected by taxpayers.

"Everyone seems to understand that regionalization has the potential to save costs, but there are obstacles to doing it," said Steve Poftak, the Pioneer Institute's director of research.

The 30-page report, titled "Regionalization: Case Studies of Success in Failure in Massachusetts," attempts to identify some of those obstacles while highlighting success stories that could be used as a model for other communities.

One such example is the Berkshire County 911 dispatch, where 23 communities fund a regional public safety dispatch center through the Sheriff's office allowing small towns to take advantage of state of the art technology for cheap money. Another is the Nashoba Associated Boards of Health, a decades old organization headquartered in Ayer that now provides health inspection, vaccination and other public health services to 19 communities. …

http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_10685921

Report PDF: http://www.pioneerinstitute.org/pdf/wp43.pdf

  6. Lower Cape towns edge toward regional approach - Cape Cod Times - Hyannis, MA, USA

A match made last night of Truro, Wellfleet and Eastham officials might be considered a first date of sorts, after a lengthy get-acquainted period.

The towns have agreed to jointly explore ways to save money and improve the services they offer local citizens, after many months of town administrators talking behind the scenes about regionalizing services.

In about 30 minutes, the three boards of selectmen — 14 elected officials in all — decided to create a subcommittee to take the next step forward. Wellfleet Selectmen Dale Donovan and Ira Wood proposed the subcommittee idea, calling it a way to get beyond "wishful thinking" about regionalization of services.

Under the agreement reached last night, a selectman and a town manager from each town will meet together to set some initial modest goals such as sharing an electrical inspector …

The idea of regionalizing services to save taxpayer money at the county or town level is not new. But it appears to be gaining popularity as a result of the recent turmoil in the U.S. financial markets.

…

In addition, the executive director of a multi-town services collaborative called the Franklin Regional Council of Governments [http://www.frcog.org/ ], located in western Massachusetts, will give a presentation at an economic summit sponsored by the Cape Cod Chamber of Commerce Nov. 14.

But last night's agreement — made on a dark night in a small town that is usually lit by a few street lamps and a seemingly endless array of stars — was a little grander. The meeting marked the first time that three boards of selectmen on the Cape met to talk about banding together to save taxpayer money, according to Cape Cod Commission [ http://www.capecodcommission.org/ ] Executive Director Paul Niedzwiecki, who attended the session.

The year-round population of the three towns is about 10,000, according to county records.

http://www.capecodonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081015/NEWS/810150324

 7. Ricardo Barros (R): Ready to lead and say ‘no’ - Barnstable Patriot - Barnstable, MA, USA

…

Barros said that it’s probably more fun to get into office at a time of plenty and build programs, but he’s ready to handle the opposite side of the equation.

…

“I think what [voters] want from us is to shrink it a little bit,” Barros said of government spending.

On three main sources of county revenue, Barros said that he would not increase tax assessments to the Cape’s 15 towns, would not increase the fees charged by any county agency, especially the Registry of Deeds, and would look at budget reductions and efficiencies before considering using the county’s reserves to balance the budget.

“Town’s don’t have it to give and we need to show that same fiscal discipline,” Barros said.

Barros supports the concept of regionalization, but sees the county responding to requests, not pulling towns in. That’s in line with his small-government philosophy.

He said that while the financial and operational efficiencies of a true regional government for things such as police and fire make sense to him, that’s not a reality for Cape towns, at least not until they seek it themselves.

“It has to emanate from the towns on up,” Barros said. When asked, he said he believes the county should be in a position to respond.

He views regionalization opportunities in three pieces: things that can be done now, things that could be done town-to-town, and those that require special legislation.

…

He would like to see the work done by the 21st Century Task Force [ http://www.capecodcommission.org/taskforce/ ]to reform the Cape Cod Commission continue.

“It’s a good start,” he said. “I’d like to see it be more of a land use planning and advice giving agency.”

He also looks forward to an improved more understandable Regional Policy Plan.

http://www.barnstablepatriot.com/home2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=16283&Itemid=274

 8. Editorial: An important study - Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Milwaukee, WI, USA

Although we haven’t always agreed with him, Phil Evenson generally has done a first-rate job as executive director of the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission [http://www.sewrpc.org/ ]. …

The agency has not conducted a comprehensive review of housing patterns since the 1970s. Milwaukee civic leaders have been keenly interested, as they should be, in the new study, which they hope will spark a dialogue about diversifying housing opportunities outside the region’s main urban center.

Plans for the study were announced in 2006, with officials saying they hoped to produce recommendations in 2007. But other work and funding difficulties put things on hold, the agency said. Evenson said he hopes to assemble an advisory committee within a month and examine whether the housing study fits in with other projects facing the commission next year.

SEWRPC needs to better demonstrate its commitment to urban issues and more aggressively pursue diversity on its staff. But it’s a planning agency dealing with technical matters; it doesn’t set social policy. That’s up to local governments, just as local governments have decided over the years whether to follow SEWRPC’s suggestions. The leadership and staff at SEWRPC do excellent technical work and have been sincere in their efforts to meet the agency’s core mission to help address regional infrastructure issues.

The agency is now completing a vital study of regional water supplies. And work continues on economic development and transportation matters.

Doing the housing study would help address concerns from critics in Milwaukee County that the Waukesha County-based SEWRPC needs to pay more attention to issues at the urban hub.

“We’ve got to squeeze this in,” Evenson said recently. “It’s moving more slowly that any of us like.” He’s right. It’s time to do the study.

http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=808663

 

 9. November's Access: City Hall to feature Noble Wray - Isthmus Daily Page - Madison, WI, USA

Host Stu Levitan welcomes Madison Police Chief Noble Wray to the November episode of "Access: City Hall." While statistics show a continued decline in most crimes, some Madison neighborhoods are experiencing increases, and some types of crime seem to be on the rise throughout the city.

Chief Wray will talk about the statistics as well as perceptions of criminal activity in Madison. …

In Comp's profile, Wray considered the police department of the future:

    Effective leaders have vision. Successful managers know how to achieve change. Wray aspires to be both. He envisions a time when the way policing is done in Madison and Dane County will be radically different. With police agencies across the board reeling from budget constraints, Wray is pushing to establish a metro police force, which would break down the county's jurisdictional lines.

    "We need to have a plan for how we're going to share resources," he says. "I think that needs to take place soon. If it does not take place, this issue is going to end up all over the map."

    Clear obstacles, like rivalries between the urban and rural departments, stand in the way of such a revamping, but [Madison Mayor Dave] Cieslewicz believes Wray can make it happen.

    "Regionalism is the wave of the future," says the mayor. "Budget pressures are actually going to work in our favor. People are going to look around and ask, 'How can we get the most bang for our buck?'"

…

http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=24023

RC: Capital Area Regional Planning Commission http://www.capitalarearpc.org/

10. U.S. Regional Communities - sub-State, State or multi-State - in news articles.

Bold font words are Google search terms. Bold italic words considered worth noting.  In this and section 11, links to websites of organizations are added to the news excerpt when this is the first time an organization has been found. A goal of this newsletter is to find every regional council in the U.S. in a news story as well as recognizing other regional organizations. In most cases, where a full name is present, a Google search will quickly get one to that organization. News reports do not always get the organization name correct.   Contents

    .01  ZIP code war deals blow to regionalism

Richmond Times Dispatch, VA

Chesterfield County is poised to fire the second shot in what is either a regional tax revolt, an assertion of identity or an "Anything but Richmond" movement. Following Henrico County's lead, Chesterfield is making plans to change the mailing addresses of county homes and businesses that contain "Richmond," "Colonial Heights" or "Petersburg." Chesterfield, like Henrico, says it is losing tax revenue because of confusion in ZIP codes that include the county and cities. …

Reader Reaction: ... I was opposed to the Henrico change until I realized I could still use the Richmond name in my address, even though the "preferred" name is Henrico now. At least when I tell others outside the region where I live, they understand Richmond but draw a complete blank with Henrico. And, as far as that goes, the zip (or the zip+4 if you memorize it) is really the only thing carriers and sorters look at to do their job correctly.

http://www.inrich.com/cva/ric/news.apx.-content-articles-RTD-2008-10-07-0111.html

    .02  Mayors: Light rail line will become regional

Kansas City Star - MO, USA

“The first cities linked in that regional system are going to be Kansas City and North Kansas City,” said Funkhouser, who was joined at a news conference by North Kansas City Mayor Gene Bruns. “We both think that a regional transit system…is absolutely critical to the future of this metropolitan area.” …

http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/850811.html

    .03  2007 Census of Governments Counts 16 Million State and Local Employees

Earthtimes (press release) - USA

State and Local Government Employment and Payroll figures are the first comprehensive data to be released from the 2007 Census of Governments. Local governments include counties, cities, townships, special districts and school districts. Individual state descriptions of government structures are available online.  …

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/2007-census-of-governments-counts-16-million-state-and-local-employees,590451.shtml

    .04  Dallas County pulls out of inland port project

Dallas Morning News - Dallas, TX, USA

The county, the North Central Texas Council of Governments and the city of Dallas each were expected to chip in $290000 to pay a consultant to write the master plan, which would take about 18 months to complete. …

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/transportation/stories/102108dnmetcommissioners.135318e31.html

    .05  A Regional Perspective

New York Times - United States

The final presidential debate tonight at New York’s Hofstra University — only miles from America’s largest city and one of its most famous suburbs (Levittown) — is the perfect place to discuss our country’s ever-growing metropolitan areas, those federally under-fueled economic engines that keep this nation going. So far, unfortunately, neither John McCain nor Barack Obama has recognized the need for a new way of thinking about and improving our cities and suburbs. ...

http://campaignstops.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/10/14/a-regional-perspective/?ref=opinion

    .06  Gaughan one step closer to his goal

WIVB - Buffalo, NY, USA

It's a fight to downsize the West Seneca Town Board and regionalism advocate Kevin Gaughan is one step closer to his goal. ... a judge paved the way for a vote in West Seneca, where residents could eliminate two town board members, saving taxpayers over $60,000 a year. …

http://www.wivb.com/Global/story.asp?S=9200366

    .07  Push for regionalization could get a boost Nov. 4

Youngstown Vindicator - Youngstown, OH, USA

… when the general election votes are counted, the push for regionalization by the Regional Chamber could get a major boost — out of necessity. ... if voters say no to approving additional taxes or renewing those on the books.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2008/oct/09/push-for-regionalization-could-get-a-boost-nov-4/

    .08  Regional voke plan explored

The Republican - MassLive.com - Springfield, MA, USA

An initial meeting to explore the feasibility of creating a regional vocational-technical school district raised more questions than it answered, but did not diminish the interest of local, state and regional officials. ...

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2008/10/regional_voke_plan_explored.html

    .09  $600000 grant will support study of regional approach to economy

Hudson Hub-Times - Hudson, Ohio, USA

Creating a plan for Northeast Ohio to develop a regional approach to economic growth and revenue sharing received a boost in the form of a $600,000 grant. The Fund for Our Economic Future, a philanthropic group which aims to strengthen the economic competitiveness of Northeast Ohio, ...

http://www.hudsonhubtimes.com/news/article/4442587

    .10  The results are in ...

Eagle Valley Enterprise - Colorado, USA

The survey was conducted by the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments. ... The purpose of the survey was for the town to hear from community residents regarding general issues and services. …

http://www.eaglevalleyenterprise.com/article/20081022/NEWS/810229994/1054&ParentProfile=1001&title=The%20results%20are%20in%20...

    .11  States, cities step up climate-change responses

Seattle Times - Washington, USA

True regionalism is perking in Northern California, where three mayors - Chuck Reed of San Jose, Gavin Newsom of San Francisco, and Ron Dellums of Oakland - have forged with business and civic leaders a Bay Area Climate Change Compact with goals ...

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/opinion/2008286950_opin20peirce.html

    .12  Housing program lifts needy residents from 'third-world' conditions

Hilton Head Island Packet - Hilton Head Island, SC, USA

Beaufort County and the Lowcountry Council of Governments have set aside a total of about $100000 to help cover the costs of building and transporting the 500 square-foot units. The homes -- which cost about $30,000 each to build -- will be constructed by local volunteers.  ...

http://www.islandpacket.com/news/local/story/642226.html

    .13  Township makes the right call on police coverage

Livingston Daily - Livingston, MI, USA

Still, those benefits come with a hefty price tag, and this is the time when Livingston County should be looking at more regionalization, not less, ...

http://www.livingstondaily.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20081013/OPINION01/810130305

    .14  OUR VIEW: Regionalize to survive, 10-22-08

Fall River Herald News - MA, USA

The two towns have regionalized grades 5 through 12 since 1970. There’s no reason not to finish the job. Regionalization has many benefits, not the least of which is an increased ability to operate efficiently. ...

http://www.heraldnews.com/opinions/x1157491552/OUR-VIEW-Regionalize-to-survive-10-22-08

    .15  Provo lands regional air-repair facility

Salt Lake Tribune - United States

… executive director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development, said Duncan joins Jet Aviation, which received state help to build a repair facility in Ogden, in making the state a regional aviation-repair center. … the Federal Aviation Administration's decision to install air-traffic-control radar in Provo helped cinch the deal with Duncan, which entertained offers from New Mexico. …

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_10679591

    .16  ETCOG To Hold Sessions About Medicare Part D

Tyler Morning Telegraph - Tyler, TX, USA

East Texas Council of Governments and Area Agency on Aging will hold free sessions to provide information about the Medicare Part D medical and prescription coverage plan. ...

http://www.tylerpaper.com/article/20081019/NEWS01/810190311

    .17  Fitch Rates Suffolk, Virginia's $16.6MM GOs 'AA-'; Outlook Positive

MarketWatch - USA

The 'AA-' rating reflects the city of Suffolk's adequate reserves, regionally competitive tax rate, and moderate debt levels. The rating also incorporates an economy that is diversifying and growing but centered on a large government and military presence....

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/fitch-rates-suffolk-virginias-166mm/story.aspx?guid={4A053AD5-8379-4063-A19D-E8BE6CDA7FDA}&dist=hppr

11. Other Regional Community News for Our Local Planet   Contents

    .01  A time for councils to demonstrate sensible, firm governance

Taranaki Daily News - New Plymouth, New Zealand

Amidst economic chaos, regional and territorial councils have begun looking at their 10-year Long-Term Council Community Plans (LTCCP) and are embarking on a nightmare voyage that will involve cutting and re-prioritising activities and services in an attempt to keep rate rises to manageable levels and ease the burden for ratepayers. ...

http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/dailynews/4730953a14337.html

    .02  Nether Regions

Sydney Morning Herald - Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

The Catalan capital has changed a lot since I made frequent trips there in the late '80s (I had a Catalan partner). It now rivals Paris and Venice as a city of tourists; it surpasses almost all European counterparts as a city of students. Regionalism, in this context, is both more assertive than ever, as a function of a wider audience, and somehow smothered, as a function of a higher order internationalism. …

http://blogs.smh.com.au/business/executivestyle/roamingreporter/2008/10/nether_regions.html

    .03  German regions cry foul over contribution

Financial Times - London, England, UK

The dispute is a tough test of the ability of Germany’s complex federal system to swiftly react to crises. Any changes to the bill would have to be rushed back to the Bundestag, … One solution being considered in the finance ministry would allow those regions that have already committed funds to rescuing Landesbanks to write them off from the rescue’s final bill when ­Germany’s “stabilisation fund” is unwound on December 31, 2009. ...

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8e847000-9afd-11dd-a653-000077b07658.html

    .04  What price for regional TV news?

BBC News - UK

The BBC is moving 3,000 regional news staff into its main News division, bringing them closer to its national and international news teams. ... The moves follow an unprecedented level of debate in recent months over news coverage of the UK's nations and regions. ... The division overseeing it all - BBC Nations and Regions - [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BBC_English_Regions] is being disbanded, and from next April the controllers of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will be promoted to director level,...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7660067.stm

    .05  Regional news needs ITV but, currently, ITV doesn't need it

guardian.co.uk - UK

Let regional news - characterised as a complete commercial basket case by ITV - be provided by third parties (and paid for by someone else) and give ITV everything else it wants, and it might consider allocating such programming slots in ITV's schedule. ...

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/oct/13/itv-television

    .06  Following Europe’s lead on climate change

Canada Free Press - Toronto, Ontario, Canada

We need conservation and all forms of energy: whatever works best, at lowest cost, for particular cities, states, regions and nations. ...

http://canadafreepress.com/index.php/article/5557

    .07  Can Mumbai become international financial centre?

Merinews - New Delhi, India

MUMBAI IS the financial capital of India. We plan to make Mumbai financial hub of the East. Can this dream ever materialise? It can, but it is not that easy. Just placing good infrastructure, using modern technology etc, doesn’t guarantee the desired position. To achieve that standard, the city has to raise itself above self-interest and regionalism. …

http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=144232

    .08  BOJ Cuts Economic View in All Regions for First Time (Update2)

Bloomberg - USA

The Bank of Japan cut its economic assessment in all of the country's nine regions for the first time, citing slowing exports and weak household spending.  ...

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601101&sid=aigUiv4dyKP0&refer=japan

    .09  EU 'not listening' to cities, says Commission

EurActiv - Brussels, Belgium

The "filter of member states" is blocking cities' access to EU funding,  ... Beyond more funding, better coordination between decision-makers at municipal, regional, national and European level could help matters, according to Ryszard Grobelny, mayor of the Polish city of Poznan, ...

http://www.euractiv.com/en/sustainability/eu-listening-cities-commission/article-176196

    .10  Localisation 'key' to EU communication

EurActiv - Brussels, Belgium

Cooperation with regional and local media is the key to better communicating EU policy issues to citizens, concluded panellists at a debate on the issue in Brussels on 8 October, organised by the European Commission's directorate-general for regional policy.

http://www.euractiv.com/en/opinion/localisation-key-eu-communication/article-176215

    .11  Enhancing Value for the Citizen: ICT Adoption in Regional & Local Government

TMCnet - USA

Today’s state, regional and local government agencies face a pressing need to provide excellent citizen services in an effective and transparent manner, all the while working under constant resource constraints. In order to meet these challenges, public agencies are turning to information communications technologies (ICT) to enhance the services ...

http://next-generation-communications.tmcnet.com/topics/business-critical-communications/articles/43286-enhancing-value-the-citizen-ict-adoption-regional-local.htm

    .12  Combating communalism just takes some doing

Indian Express - New Delhi, India

… work done by Jawaharlal Nehru in countering communal violence… He convened a national integration conference in September, 1961 to find ways to combat communalism, casteism, regionalism, linguistic chauvinism and narrow mindedness. ...

http://www.indianexpress.com/news/combating-communalism-just-takes-some-doing/371538/0

    .13  The Andamans: Keeping parochialism at bay

merinews - India

The Andaman islands have kept the banes of parochial regionalism and divisive politics at bay. There's a lot to learn from the settler experience in Andamans about transcending the pettiest form of regionalism ...

http://www.merinews.com/catFull.jsp?articleID=144073&catID=2&category=India

    .14  Globalization? It’s now regionalization

Pravda - Moscow, Russia

There are two other trends that are equally putting pressure for regionalization. The first of these mega, world trends, is the obvious price increase in a very unglobal way. ...

http://newsfromrussia.com/world/americas/14-10-2008/106561-globalization-0

    .15  BX governance opinions sought

Vernon Morning Star - BC, Canada

Ivey says the association decided to provide information on the options because many residents are interested in governance. “There is certainly conversation about it. You hear people talking and asking questions,” he said. NORD recently decided to seek provincial government support for developing terms of reference for a governance study in the region. …

http://www.bclocalnews.com/okanagan_similkameen/vernonmorningstar/community/31210179.html

    .16  US is open to explore idea of Mideast regional organisation

Arab Times - Kuwait

... Al Khalifa affirmed in a published interview that Israel, Iran and Turkey are included in this regional organization “even if we do not recognize each other”, since this would be “the only path to solve our problems”, and raised the question, “why not become one organization to overcome this difficult phase?”.

http://www.arabtimesonline.com/client/pagesdetails.asp?nid=23582&ccid=11

    .17  Two Caribbeans emerge at EPA signing

Jamaica Gleaner - Kingston, Jamaica

... in civil society that see the EPA as a tool of open regionalism and others who seek a model based on what might be described as a defensive regionalism. ...

http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20081019/business/business8.html

    .18  DHL Enhances Trade in the SAARC Region

India PRwire

With increasing oil prices and global financial volatility, the focus is fast shifting from globalisation to regionalization. In this context developing trade lanes and improving the inter-connectivity by air, land and sea amongst the SAARC countries is of great importance.  ...

http://www.indiaprwire.com/pressrelease/transportation/2008100813957.htm

    .19  Save The Planet (and win US $100,000)

The Times - Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa

... Buckminster Fuller Challenge [ http://challenge.bfi.org ] ... Entries must present a bold, visionary, tangible initiative that is focused on a well-defined need of critical importance. They should be regionally specific yet globally applicable, and backed up by a solid plan and the capability to move the solution forward.”

http://blogs.thetimes.co.za/gatherer/2008/10/14/save-the-planet-and-win-us100-000/

12. Blogging about Regional Communities   Contents

    .01 Talking Regionalism

West Hartford Forums

During the very short life of this blog, I’ve posted about “Regionalism” a few times (most obviously here), but whenever I’ve posted about it, it’s been out of some sort of impulse — a gut sense that it’s the right solution (backed by some reading), but without semblance of a way to begin to think about how to implement regional solutions to local and regional problems. That’s why I was grateful for this weekend’s editorial in the Courant, which lays out a pretty strong case for both the “whys” and “hows” of regional solutions. I’m even more grateful for Amy Bergquist’s blog [ http://www.amybergquist.com/blog/2008/10/13/regionalism-in-ct/ ], which has a great post about the editorial and which encourages conversation about regionalism as an idea. ... Note: Relates to item 1. above.

http://whforums.wordpress.com/2008/10/14/talking-regionalism/

    .02  Rust Belt Chic: Urban Exploration

Cleveburgh Diaspora - By Jim Russell

Urban exploration is part of the movement (e.g. urban homesteading) that views cities as a frontier geography. This chaotic, even anarchic, landscape is aligned with the Jane Jacobs aesthetic that holds sway with many of today's urbanists. These Jacobs devotees would appreciate much of what the Rust Belt has to offer. The adventure upside is greatest in the regions where the economic spoils are the least. Cleveland is a good example:

http://burghdiaspora.blogspot.com/2008/10/rust-belt-chic-urban-exploration.html

    .03  The Pittsburgh CitiWiki Project

URENIO Portal: Innovation, Environments of Innovation, Intelligent Cities and Regions

The goal is to harness the intellectual firepower of the Pittsburgh region’s thoughtful citizenry to make the city and the surrounding region as vibrant, diverse and exciting as possible....

Blog: http://www.urenio.org/2008/10/11/the-pittsburgh-citiwiki-project/

Wiki: http://www.pghwiki.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_CitiWiki_Project

     .04  Greater Ohio, Brookings blog on Restoring Prosperity

GreenCityBlueLake

Land use policy reform groups Greater Ohio and the Brookings Institution are collaborating on Restoring Prosperity, a framework for reinvesting in Ohio’s cities. The effort now has a blog, and its first post is about incentives for regionalism: 

http://www.gcbl.org/blog/marc-lefkowitz/greater-ohio-brookings-blog-on-restoring-prosperity

    .05  Thanks, Lehigh County

Lehigh Valley Main Streets

One of the things I have talked about over and over again, including in my recent Morning Call op-ed, is that increased regionalization efforts are critical towards helping to enhance urban areas and keeping all local governments afloat ...

http://lehighvalleymainstreets.blogspot.com/2008/10/thanks-lehigh-county.html

    .06  Marketers to devise regional brand

Economic Development Marketing

Southwest Florida economic development leaders have hired a marketing group to develop a regional brand for the area. ... Chisano will begin immediately by researching the area and then will be asked to develop a logo and motto reflecting the regional identity, including design of letterhead, envelopes, a Web site and other outreach material. 

http://developmentmarketing.blogspot.com/2008/10/marketers-to-devise-regional-brand.html

    .07  Americans Continue to Migrate to Metropolitan Regions

By Tim Halbur

Professor Richard Morill of the University of Washington maps population growth over the past seven years, which shows a continuing pattern of movement towards large metropolitan regions. …

http://www.planetizen.com/node/35529

    .08  Congress for the New Urbanism

No To More

Metropolitan regions are finite places with geographic boundaries derived from topography, watersheds, coastlines, farmlands, regional parks, and river basins. The metropolis is made of multiple centers that are cities, towns, ...

http://notomore.org/2008/10/congress-for-new-urbanism.html

    .09  West Midlands Regional Integrated Economic Assessment published

Observations

Insight, commentary and pointers to data and intelligence about the West Midlands region

The West Midlands is the first English region to produce a Regional Integrated Economic Assessment. The aim of the project is to provide an assessment of the performance of the West Midlands’ economy and of the factors which contribute ...

http://wmro.wordpress.com/2008/10/10/west-midlands-regional-integrated-economic-assessment-published/

    .10  The Future of Chesterfield County: Our Transportation Paradigm

Alter of Freedom

I cannot help but feel that these agendas are the seeds of Regionalism, which many in Chesterfield oppose. Much of what these organizations major premise of regionalism was born out of last years controversial Crupi Report. ...

http://alteroffreedom.blogspot.com/2008/10/future-of-chesterfield-county-our.html

    .11  Summary View-Point on Creative Cities Summit

Sustainable Energy Delivery

... the world economic platform has changed to one in which brains are the new capital, not brawn. Those cities, states, regions, and countries that understand this and put in place systems that will encourage creative activity and growth in their communities will grow themselves. ...

http://sendenergy.blogspot.com/2008/10/summary-view-point-on-creative-cities.html

    .12  Coming Together

The Center for Michigan

Maybe it's just the natural nesting instinct as the economy falters and hardwoods across the state turn brilliant gold on the eve of winter, but we're noticing many fresh examples of regional cooperation across Michigan this fall...

http://www.thecenterformichigan.net/blog/coming-together/

    .13  Ben Bradshaw MP

By Toque

Thank you for your email of 17 August to Ben Bradshaw, Regional Minister for the South West regarding the polling evidence concerning the introduction of regional ministers. ... Having now been in post for one year, Regional Ministers’ responsibilities have developed further and are now focussed around the following three roles:

- Regional Leaders: ...

- Government Champions: ...

- Regional Champions: ...

http://www.toque.co.uk/witan/modules/wordpress/?p=164

   .14  Thinking regionally: Community Colleges

Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space

... "new" college from scratch (UDC is the creation in part of the merger of a community college into other institutions), work with Montgomery College and/or Prince George's County Community College, and create a regional institution. ...

http://urbanplacesandspaces.blogspot.com/2008/10/thinking-regionally-community-colleges.html

    .15  Why & How Regional Emails Work

Adventures in Email Marketing

I think regional works so much better than non-regional campaigns because, as consumers, we already have a host of relationships, impressions, and brand recognition with those regional businesses and locations. So when a new brand makes an association they can leverage off of all of those positive feelings, and one major feeling is trust. …

http://www.banane.com/workblog/?p=406

    .16  Fixing Fragile States

Enterprise Resilience Management Blog

5. Exploit the Advantages of Regionalism -- "In regions populated by multiple pintsized fragile states, regionalism offers the best chance to overcome the poisonous and self-reinforcing nexus of identity divisions, weak administrative capacities, undersized markets, and limited human resources. Regional associations of small, poor countries -- if allowed to fully leverage region-wide capacities and outside assistance, and if empowered with the necessary authority and staffed by [a] team of competent managers -- could gradually transform the institutional environments and economic prospects of their member-states." …