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HomeMy WebLinkAboutWorkshop - Economic Development Draft Revised Economic Development Since the adoption of the Oshkosh's 2012 Sustainability Plan, demand has increased for new sustainable products, services, and jobs. Oshkosh is increasingly showing signs of this "green economy." We continue to attract sustainable industries. These industries work with the environment and involve environmentally friendly products or services. For example, Oshkosh is home to a promoter of small scale biofuel production and to a designer of high tech batteries using nanomaterials. We have builders constructing sustainable buildings, food vendors supporting sustainable agricultural practices, and a sustainable university at UW-Oshkosh. The installation of solar panels at the First Congregational Church is an excellent example of local investment in renewable energy. The community has seen more corporate responsibility to society and the environment. Major companies such as Oshkosh Corporation and Silver Star Brands have established their own teams intended to help them become more sustainable. The Aurora and Affinity medical facilities were at the forefront when the 2012 Sustainability Plan was adopted and remain so today. International companies such as Wal-Mart and McDonalds, are leaders in sustainability worldwide. Winnebago County recently adopted a resolution to become a member of the PACE Wisconsin Commission. PACE Wisconsin assists developers by providing funding options to incorporate renewable energy into their projects. We have continued to see state supported programs like Focus on Energy helping businesses reduce their energy use. In the face of such activities, equipping Oshkosh as a green business center makes good financial sense. Objective: Bolster the local economy by attracting sustainable businesses and green-collar jobs, and encouraging existing businesses to become more sustainable. Policies Sustainable Economic Planning: 1. Add clean technology to Oshkosh's targeted growth sectors. 2. Identify products and sectors for a sustainability-related manufacturing and production niche in Oshkosh. 3. Conduct a needs assessment of green job demand. 4. Inventory existing job training programs and link them to information provided in the green jobs needs assessment. 5. Work with the Oshkosh Area School District, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, Fox Valley Technical College, and University of Wisconsin-Extension to bring together partners to discuss developing ways to grow the green collar industry. 6. Develop a strategy to secure available government and private funding to grow the industry. 7. Conduct a market analysis to determine the potential for a "green" business incubator in the city. Green Collar Jobs: 1. Partner with the Greater Oshkosh Economic Development Corporation (GO-EDC)to create and offer business incentives to attract green-collar companies. 2. Outreach to local sustainable industries and offer special bonding or government funding options. 3. Establish creative financing strategies for local sustainable businesses. 4. Continue pursuit of green building practices for new construction and renovation. 5. Partner with the Chamber of Commerce, Chamco, Inc., and New North, Inc.to develop a marketing piece aimed at attracting industry within the sustainability sector. 6. Market the city's natural and infrastructure amenities to sustainable technology businesses. 7. Market businesses that reduce dependence on fossil fuels, do not use toxic chemicals, exceed clean air and clean water standards, and employ sustainable practices such as not using plastic straws and Styrofoam. 8. Connect businesses to use by-products of other processes or whose wastes can be used as raw materials for other industries. 9. Work with businesses to maintain and/or revitalize, restore, or improve the natural terrain, drainage and vegetation, minimizing disruption of natural systems. 10. Connect businesses that reuse processed water or make use of solid waste for materials or energy production. 11. Examine and improve the Home Occupation section of the Zoning Ordinance if possible to further encourage home-based businesses that reduce travel needs. 12. Market businesses such as restaurants and shops that directly sell organic and/or sustainable products. Promoting Green Careers: 1. Work with the Oshkosh Area School District, Fox Valley Technical College and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh to ramp up education,training and counseling for careers in sustainability. 2. Continue the City's collaboration with the UW-Oshkosh Quest III and Environmental Studies programs. 3. Examine City departments to determine opportunities for students to intern and advance sustainable practices in City operations. Buying Local: 1. Market local businesses and products to strengthen our economy. 2. Create a Buy Local promotional campaign similar to the State's "Something Special from Wisconsin" program. 3. Educate residents about the importance and benefits of supporting local businesses. 4. Continue efforts to increase local government purchasing of local products. 5. Develop tools to connect local suppliers with businesses, consumers, and government. 6. Promote the sale of local food and drink at events. 7. Encourage the development of local shops to foster a distinct Oshkosh identity. 8. Research and publish a local green business directory to include green-collar companies and companies with improved sustainability. 9. Encourage local artists to work with businesses to display their products. 10. Support businesses and non-profits offering products and services from people with disabilities, in local institutions or with other social needs. Travel Green Wisconsin: 1. Help the Oshkosh Convention and Visitors Bureau attract and expand business-related eco- tourism, such as those related to waterways, biking, and other outdoor activities. 2. Encourage businesses and facilitate the process to increase participation and certification in the Travel Green Wisconsin program, a voluntary program providing opportunities to be recognized as a green business. 3. Update the existing "Making Your Event Sustainable" brochure that exists for event planners. 4. Work to attract more sustainability-related conventions and events to Oshkosh. Triple Bottom Line: 1. Promote and educate institutions and businesses to measure their success not only by financial profit, but by environmental and social performance as well. Called "Triple Bottom Line" (the Planet or Natural Capital, People or Social Capital, and Profit or Economic Capital),this accounting approach has been endorsed by the United Nations and International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) as a bona fide technique to measure corporate and governmental sustainability. 2. Compile a list of companies in the region to show other companies the value of employing triple bottom line. 3. Encourage local businesses to adopt sustainable accounting practices by leading by example and sharing the city's successes. 4. Work with all levels of educational institutions to develop a green business curriculum. 5. Support the Public Library's efforts to build resources regarding green business practice. 6. Collaborate with the Chamber and local colleges to hold an annual conference to promote sustainability. 7. Promote the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources' Green Tier program which supports environmentally innovative companies who go beyond compliance with minimum regulatory standards while improving their bottom line. Affinity Health Systems is a Green Tier 1 corporation. 8. Continue to participate in the Green Tier program, attend yearly meetings, submit annual reports, and select goals from the Green Tier Scoresheet annually to pursue. Low-Income Needs: 1. Continue to support programs for housing,transportation, education,work, and social networks to improve the economic status of people in need. 2. Continue to provide the Community Development Block Grant(CDBG)funds to support social services. 3. Work with service agencies such as Habitat for Humanity and Advocap to find the best locations and buildings. 4. Help groups coordinate events,for collecting donations,fundraising, enlisting volunteers, and educating the public about opportunities and services. 5. Consider a consortium to apply for federal assistance for new opportunities, emergencies, disaster relief,faith-based initiatives, etc. 6. Assist with efforts to create a permanent warming shelter and ensure adequate facilities for the homeless. 7. Promote the availability of food pantries, resale shops,transportation and human services at various outlets and on the city's sustainability website. Consumer Education: 1. Encourage consumers to make the best purchasing decisions by providing information about what to look for when trying to make environmentally and socially responsible selections. 2. Establish venues for disseminating information to consumers on environmental product labeling. 3. Create partnerships with area businesses to assist in informing consumers on environmentally and socially responsible choices. Quality of Life: 1.) Preserve and Protect City's Natural Resources 2.) Emphasize implementation of top priority projects in plans. 3.) Develop public/private partnerships to fund quality of life assets. Public/Private Partnerships: 1.) Identify/develop funding sources 2.) Partner with existing businesses and stakeholders. 3.) Develop targeted economic development plans. 4.) Complete specific economic development plans.