Leaders search for common ground to build regional prosperity

When people start talking about finding common ground and creating a “Shared Regional Vision for Sustainable Prosperity” it’s easy to be cynical. But the regional leaders who gathered at Suncadia Lodge in Cle Elum over the last three days were doing important work: They were building the critical alliances and partnerships the region needs to avoid the polarization that has paralyzed much of the rest of the country.

You can’t underestimate the importance of such alliances. It took a broad-based coalition including business, labor and government leaders on both sides of the Cascades to overcome stubborn opposition to building a tunnel to replace the aging viaduct. Labor offered its support because of the jobs that would be created. Government leaders in eastern Washington threw in their support because they wanted to make sure their farm products would have easy access to the Port of Seattle. City leaders (with the exception of the mayor) wanted the tunnel because of the huge upgrade to the city it would represent.

A similar alliance is coming together to oppose the 1125 Initiative, which, if passed, could throw a wrench into financing plans for transportation projects across the state that are sorely needed to replace aging infrastructure. That same alliance could help structure and pass a ballot measure next fall to raise revenues for a new set of infrastructure projects.

Among other challenges regional leaders will take on in the year ahead: Finding ways to persuade Boeing to build any new production here in Washington state; and helping align the educational system to business needs so that students can find good paying jobs that match their abilities, and employers can find the talented employees that match their needs.

For more details, read this press release from the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber, which hosted the conference.

CLE ELUM Representatives of the regions labor, business, environmental, education, government, nonprofit, and multicultural communities signed on to a Shared Regional Vision for Sustainable Prosperity today, capping off a year-long effort to develop common ground around job creation and economic growth.

Signatories include Bob Drewel, executive director, Puget Sound Regional Council; David Freiboth, executive secretary, Martin Luther King Jr. County Labor Council, AFL-CIO; Donald King, president and CEO, DKA Architecture; Skip Kotkins, chair, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce; Stephanie Solien, consultant, Climate Solutions; and Dr. Jill Wakefield, chancellor, Seattle Community Colleges.

These groups began working together in October 2010 at the Regional Leadership Conference, an annual event convened by the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce. At the 2011 conference, held from October 19-21 at Suncadia Lodge in Cle Elum, nearly 250 people from a cross-section of regional constituencies came together to develop and commit to a shared regional vision.

The shared statement explains that:

We envision a region that leads the world in growing a diversified, innovative and sustainable economy that improves social justice, improves the environment and improves the bottom line. The resources provided by that vibrant economy will allow us to create rewarding jobs, sustainable growth and development, environmental protection, an outstanding quality of life and exceptional opportunities for all. In addition, we commit to a future where actions across sectors prepare all students for college, career and lifetime success.

Participants agreed to advance nine action items:

• Invest, brand and execute a global leadership strategy designed to celebrate our existing leadership, further expand our role as Americas global city and use that leadership to attract business and nonprofits seeking to be at the center of global action.
• Make multiculturalism as visible and prominent as other business sectors through the Chamber, Prosperity Partnership and others.
• Work for a statewide finance plan for balanced, multi-modal transportation investments that accelerates our states economic recovery, creates jobs, improves the environment, and meets local and transit agency needs.
• Develop a talent and innovation task force to ensure there is equilibrium between employers and education to secure talented in-state employees that meet the needs of business.
• Create a decision-making task force will put a price on process and communicate it; be intentional about developing our leaders; work to localize decision-making and develop tools to hold leaders accountable.
• Articulate the importance of and hold accountable both private and public sector resources; support Connecting Washington and Project Pegasus
• .Deploy a regional pride campaign called Celebrate Puget Sound.
• Start four instructional programs in areas of highest job demand that will double completion rates in those areas (health care, trade and logistics, manufacturing, business technology). Define the roles and responsibilities for K-12, business, government and philanthropy in furthering this goal.
• Create a new Cascade Curtain study mission that explores innovation on both sides of the mountains and develops a more cohesive and trustful leadership base.

2. When we look at what makes regions around the world competitive, it always comes back to their shared commitment to a common agenda, said Bob Drewel of the Puget Sound Regional Council.

   Sustainable jobs can easily fall into the trap of being a buzzword. In this case, it is anything but the flavor of the month. It is a true commitment by our community to create good, family-wage jobs that protect and preserve our quality of life, said David Freiboth of the King County Labor Council.

   With this plan we assume a shared responsibility. Were all responsible for helping create family-wage jobs. Were all responsible for protecting and preserving the environment. Were all responsible for helping to equip our children with the skills they need to succeed, said Stephanie Solien of Climate Solutions.

   We help our students succeed by setting clear and realistic goals. The same goes for our region. Especially in a time of limited resources, knowing where we want to be is half the battle. Now, we can roll up our sleeves and make it happen, said Jill Wakefield of Seattle Community Colleges.

   Small and multicultural businesses are the key to our future growth, particularly in an increasingly global economy. We have to ensure we are making available all the tools, access to capital and a larger customer base to take the next stepwhether it is going from one employee to two or growing from $1 million in annual revenues to $10 million, said Donald King of DKA Architecture.

   By focusing on the elements of a shared vision for sustainable prosperity, conference participants helped define what success looks like and action steps to get there. A key to moving forward is that everyone was at the table. Thats what common ground is all about and why this is going to work, said Skip Kotkins, 2011-2012 chair of the Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce.