In election years, especially this one, it’s easy to focus only on national politics. The media could easily lead us to believe that everything important is happening nationally. But, that is definitely not true! In fact, it appears that more good things are happening at the local levels of government.
Counties have particularly been interesting to watch lately because of so many diverse initiatives that have proved successful. Some of the projects are worthy of national recognition. They may serve as models to other public entities.
It seems that county officials throughout the U.S. saw that public funding was drying up and they bought into the concept of collaboration and partnerships with private firms. As a result, many good things have happened.
Image from Orange County, Calif.
Bernalillo County, in Albuquerque, N.M., stepped up to lead a collaborative, community-wide effort related to economic development. The coalition wanted a business incubator and hub for research and innovation near downtown Albuquerque. Numerous partners collaborated on the project and an old church building was revamped and turned into a business incubator. Funding came from various sources. One million dollars was approved by the county commissioners court and the city of Albuquerque contributed $2 million. Another $3 million came from New Mexico Educators Federal Credit Union and almost $1.5 million from a U.S. Economic Development Administration grant. The University of New Mexico added more than $700,000.
Bexar County, Texas, which includes San Antonio, adopted a new plan for attracting companies and talent. County commissioners unanimously approved an Innovation Policy that has the potential to reshape the way Bexar leaders pursue economic development in the future.
The plan is to embrace and incentivize companies with disruptive technologies. The county wants to attract smaller companies that produce fewer jobs but pay higher salaries for less capital investment.
County leaders are not abandoning a pursuit of companies in other industries, but with the new plan the county offers incentives for disruptive firms not currently located in San Antonio. There will also be incentives for eligible companies already located in San Antonio.
Dutchess County, N.Y., has announced one of the largest capital projects in recent county history – a $192 million new jail facility that will also house the sheriff’s office. A proposal for the new facility comes after decades of discussion about a permanent solution to the county’s jail overcrowding.
Nearly 200 additional inmates in the past were housed in out-of-county facilities, at a cost of about $8 million annually to local taxpayers. Officials say the new jail may save $5.3 million in operational savings.
Orange County, Calif., officials will revitalize a 44-year-old county-owned harbor. Under a proposed public-private partnership, a developer will design, fund and construct all improvements, then operate certain portions of the harbor over a 50-year lease. After that period of time, the improved property will revert back to the county. The project will cost between $150 million and $299 million, but it will turn the harbor into an Orange County destination.
Knox County, Tenn., had a public obesity problem to solve. More than 60 percent of adults in the county fell into the obese category, a category that is surprisingly not that difficult to join.
County officials started looking for ways to encourage citizens to exercise. Walkability and biking became buzz words as plans were made to build trails and upgrade parks. The initiative has become such a hallmark in Knox County that it was one of three counties selected in July 2015 to participate in the national County Health Learning Challenge.
Good things are definitely happening and county officials are being recognized as innovative and visionary leaders who don’t hesitate to collaborate with private-sector partners. Let’s hope the world of government leaders takes note.
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