The ED Debate Continues in Toledo

Having been an insider and an outsider in the Toledo-Northwest Ohio economic development situation over the past decade, let me offer a recommendation to the area's ED leaders. Stop debating who is in charge, build a flexible team focused on getting things done, and be about the job that you were all called to do.

There is an object lesson for every area dissatisfied with the economic hand it has been dealt. The lesson is move to the new globally-linked model of economic development and stop worrying about the petty local politics of development. There is no perfect way to organize for economic development. The best way is the way that accomplishes something.

I made this recommendation to the Toledo RGP over 18 months ago. I'll say it again. Keep the RGP in place as the regional entity for economic development. Within the organization, create an urban economic strategy for Toledo and Lucas County. Allocate a significant percent of the RGP's budget to the urban strategy, create the leadership and program to get the urban ED job done.

The public should support the Port ED levy, and the Port should continue to fund RGP. A defined percentage, maybe 40-50%, of the RGP-targeted revenues should be used to support Toledo-Lucas County economic development.

A new team-based leadership and staffing model should be created to get the work done. Put the new leaders and staff through a 3-day training program on collaborative action and performance-based leadership and management.

It's that simple.

Go here to read what Toledo is thinking about now.