Agenda - Council - 10/25/1983 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I i i I I PROPOSED ECONOMIC GOALS AND POLICIES In the past, the Metropolitan Council has reviewed plans and projects according to policies based on three major considerations: efficient use of the four metropolitan systems (air transportation, surface transportation, parks and open space, and sewers), locational factors associated with urban and rural service areas, and the preservation of the natural environment~ For the most part, economic development impacts have not been explicitly considered in the Council's deliberations. (See "Discussion of Existing Development Framework Goals and Policies" in Appendix A.) The interim economic policies developed here are intended to broaden the Council's consideration of plans and projects to include economic factors. The proposed goals include changes in the existing Development Framework goals and add business development and entrepreneurial activities to the list of characteristics important for a healthy region. The policies replace a number of existing Development Framework policies and add new concepts to the Development Framework. ECONOMIC GOALS To have a region by the year 2000 that has: o Economic development that keeps pace with growth in the labor force and enhances the Region's standard of living--measured by growth in jobs, income per household and tax base~ o High rankings nationally in education and income, and low rankings in unemployment rates and in number of persons below poverty level. o Opportunities for economic advancement for persons of all ages, races, income, sex, training and educational backgroundin the Region. o A diverse regional economy strong enough to support high quality public services and other Development Framework goals for the Region. o A regional economic climate that encourages business development and entrepreneurial activities. o A strong agricultural economy in the Region's rural area. ECONOMIC POLICIES The proposed policies that follow are grouped into four major areas. In the first are the Council's existing area-wide policies (as stated in its Development Framework) but changed to more fully reflect economic development and business concerns. Second, several policies define a Council role in encouraging coordination of regional economic development and enhancement of the Region's economic climate. Third, the Council proposes a policy to help make more capital available to regional businesses. The final proposed policy specifies more active involvement for the Council in meeting the needs of the poor and unemployed in the Region.