Great Lakes Partnership Council

Well Spring Initiatives

March 24, 2012

Issue Statement

The GLSLR is challenged to recognize the economic growth opportunities that can result from strong

leadership and vision for cross-regional collaboration and organization.

The GLPC will convene regional actors to allow for the implementation of best practices to spur continued

regional economic development.

The GLPC will facilitate the operationalization of existing research to help redirect economic assets to support

current jobs and the transition to the knowledge-based economy.

OutcomesShort-Term

• Horizontal Integration: Connecting industries and sectors by resolving information deficits and improving efficiency

• Vertical Integration: Bridging private sector and government information/communication gaps

Long-Term

• Horizontal Integration: National governments can move towards regulatory harmonization

• Vertical Integration: This is supported by horizontal integration and ensure stakeholder needs are met.

Requirements of the GLPC

• Promote business and government actor collaboration in common dialogue to create and promote vision for regional economic growth;

• Rigorously communicate strategy to increase awareness of the benefits of a collaborative body across the region;

• Ensure a wholistic approach to economic development policy by incorporating diverse interests of private and public sectors in order to create sound and sustainable development projects.

Scope of the GLPC

Scope: Only organizations directly related to regional economic transformation

Stakeholder Analysis: Government: federal, state, provincial,

municipal

Private Sector: regional, industry, sectoral organizations (e.g., council of great lakes industries)

Evaluation Criteria

• Impact Assessmento Breadth and depth of involvement o Strengths and weaknesses of each intensity level o Likelihood of achievement of stated objectiveso Length to realization/timelineo Scalability

• Cost-Benefit Analysis

Risk Assessmento Level of risk o Risk impact

Option One: Low-Medium

Convenor and Connector: Identify technology researchers, relevant businesses and civil groups, connect them with financial and collaborative opportunities

• Inventory public, private and government stakeholders

• Develop communications plan

• Launch web portal

• Host annual expo

• Develop a knowledge translation framework

• Develop networks for ongoing collaboration including virtual

Option Two: Medium-High

Convenor, Connector and Facilitator:Foster joint ventures, ensure cooperation between businesses,

governments, and thought-leaders

• Structure the environment for active dialogue

• Develop local and regional communication plan

• Mediate and facilitate implementation via working groups

• Educate government actors; advocate for GLPC stakeholders

• Provide technical assistance for strategic planning, governance and implementation

Option Three: Status Quo

Do not move forward with efforts to establish GLPC.

• Efforts continue without coordination

• Limited knowledge sharing

• Rely on stakeholders to collaborate, convene and engage government

• No formal accountability

Costs & Benefits

We considered, assuming voluntary participation...

CostsConference costs, cash prize incentives, operation overhead, consultancy and advocacy.

Benefits:

Value of successful ventures created through the establishment of the GLPC and subsequent conventions.

Benefit to Cost Ratios*:

Status Quo: 0

Low-Medium: 3.7

Medium-High: 2.8

*Note: significant unquantified benefits exist.

Risks

Status Quo:• Accelerated stagnation of economic base

Low-Medium:• Increased risk of non-viable ventures coming out of the conference• Low visibility (people are unaware and unable to see what comes of it)• Ventures fail because they run into border issues• Who will actually come and will they collaborate?

Medium-High:• Risk of failure of the incubated industries• Delayed benefits

Comparison Summary

Option Status Quo Low-Medium Footprint

Medium-High Footprint

CBA 0 3.7 2.8

Risks Potential for accelerated decline

Reduced likelihood of venture success

Higher up-front commitment, longer lag increases chance of cut-off without results

Foundation for future coordination

-- Limited Broad, well-developed

Time lag for impact -- Short-term Medium-term

Future Flexibility -- Expansion of activity, mandate possible

Difficult to reduce efforts, scale once established

Recommended Option

Recommended option: Low-medium approach

Deciding Factors:

•Lower risk; better venue for a new initiative

•Includes various learning opportunities before potentially expanding

•Lower political risk in terms of fundingo Providing a lower level of funding and having the

opportunity to “test” the project

•First step towards building momentum and public and private support

•Potential for early wins (i.e. conferences)

Risks and Mitigation Strategies

Risks:• Accountability and relevancy• Momentum• Private sector mobilizationMitigation:•Positive perception of the federal government for showing

a vested interest in and support of the region•Emphasize small wins•Positive development and the correct communications

strategy from the GLPC•Small/local businesses are eager for action so there is the

opportunity to start there in order to build momentum

Implementation Plan

Government and Oversight

Accountability

• Operationso Board of Directors oversight for Executive Directoro Elected and appointed representationo GLPC Advisory Councilo Forum for stakeholder engagement

• Fundingo Required grant reportingo Output measureso Return on Investment

Communication Strategy/Messaging

Internal CommunicationMessaging to membership:Maintain consistent reciprocal communication of GLPC initiatives and

opportunities

Outward CommunicationMessaging to potential members:Promote benefits of membership such as direction-setting, involvement,

coordinationMessaging to specific industry, sector, organizational, institutional

stakeholders:Promote value of stakeholder interest, engagement, involvement in GLPC’s

agendaBroader public messaging:Importance of supporting GLPC’s efforts for the sustainability and prosperity of

the GLSLR

Questions?