"Smart" Economic Development: The Advantages of Cutting-Edge Tech Tools

Date: February 18, 2015
Time:  2:30–4:00 p.m. EST
Contact: [email protected]

IEDC’s February webinar will showcase how Dubuque, IA and Austin, TX used technology tools for economic development purposes. In coming years, this kind of technology will be an important tool for any public official. The webinar will feature practitioners and tech experts sharing best practices and showing how these tools will give your community a competitive advantage, now and in the future.

Case Studies We’ll be Exploring:

Dubuque, IA Uses “Smarts” to Improve Business Climate

One of the Smartest Cities on the Planet? Yep, Dubuque Iowa, according to a 2010 Fast Company ranking. Dubuque has also been ranked 14th in the nation by Forbes for Small Business and Careers. Such accolades don’t come from by-the-book tactics; in recent years, Dubuque has implemented a technology-focused approach to civic engagement. This “Smart” approach has enabled Dubuque to identify its citizens’ priorities and create a plan for sustainability that includes a cloud-based system for more efficient delivery and use of municipal services—including improved public transportation. According to Mayor Roy Buol, businesses see improvement in the community as a way to improve their bottom line. The business community has been one of the largest supporters of the initiative—and rave reviews from the national press are indicating they made the right choice.

Austin, TX Uses Data Analysis to Predict Economic Return on Rail

Austin, TX is known for innovation. This even extends to their economic development, which handles the city’s engagement with business, as well as music, culture and entertainment promotion. Their enhanced focus also encourages regional thinking; when their area received a $3.7 million HUD Sustainable Communities Planning Grant, they collaborated with other cities and lead the initiative to utilize advanced forecasting technology to calculate the return of a multi-city rail line. Advanced analysis showed that a new rail project would deliver $107,000,000 in annual new net revenue for the area by 2030, with thousands of new jobs created.

Speakers:

Michelle Cullen 
Global Community Lead and Content Creator 
IBM 
Washington, DC

Cori Burbach
Sustainable Community Coordinator
City of Dubuque
Dubuque, Iowa

Kevin Johns 
Director 
Economic Growth and Redevelopment Office 
Austin, TX

Greg Kiloh
Project Manager of Economic Development Department
City of Austin
Austin, TX

Jay Boisseau
CEO and Co-Founder
Vizias
Austin, TX

"Smart" Economic Development: The Advantages of Cutting-Edge Tech Tools  – Register Today!