Outside of major financial centers, entrepreneurs and economic development professionals must seek capital creatively to fund new and growing businesses. This panel session discusses ways to attract investment dollars. From selling fiber optic network hook-ups to software to surplus land, cities are launching entrepreneurial ventures. Economic development and business location professionals come together to discuss methods for attracting new businesses through a sustainable economic development plan. Positive local policies allow the intermodal potential of an urban area to be realized, providing an economic boost to the whole community.
Businesses often shy away from investing in core urban areas.
Within the last several years, research has shown that urban areas contain huge amounts of untapped potential for investors, developers and corporations. This session will address the opportunities located within inner cities and how to best develop them. For decades public housing developments hindered urban renewal and revitalization. Livability and Competitive Advantage of Cities Technological developments now allow transportation systems to improve efficiency and service levels. As technology becomes cheaper, increasing numbers of cities will be able to put ITS in place, thus improving circulation of people and goods.