Economic Development is Best Viewed
with an Entrepreneurial Perspective
Mary Jane Olhasso
Economic Development Director
City of Ontario, California
1. Understand that TIME IS MONEY. Economic Development Agencies must operate like corporations. If our companies aren't open and making money, our cities aren't making money. Whether it is fast tracking permits or helping them find employees, we must work with them, not get in the way of their success. CoreNet Global offers a variety of educational programs that are designed to deliver best practices and the latest trends in real estate, so that you can effectively understand and facilitate the corporate real estate process.
2. Work with site selectors and end users to provide the resources and amenities that companies need. CoreNet Global brings Economic Developers and Site Selectors together to exchange ideas and learn ways to best meet one another's needs. We must make available options for residents to remain in the community for work, recreation and education. Corporations then do not have to be concerned with moving their facilities to follow subsequent generations of workers. Through global and chapter-level functions, CoreNet Global offers many opportunities to network with corporate real estate executives and site selectors.
3. Bring Jobs and People Together. In order to maintain a livable, sustainable environment, we must make our residents aware of the opportunities that exist in our community. Because a well-trained work force is always the top priority of site selectors, we must assure that the work force is properly prepared and accessible. CoreNet Global's Knowledge Center Online provides members with the latest research from case studies, best practices and current business topics so that we can deliver what companies and site selectors are looking for in a community.
4. Plan for the future of your community. Our fiduciary responsibility is to make sure that our planning efforts support the family, the workplace and the community. CoreNet Global is preparing for the future of the corporate real estate industry with a comprehensive study: Corporate Real Estate 2010. With its release, CoreNet Global is providing a leadership development program to prepare today's corporate real estate executives for a changing workplace that needs to be reflected in city planning.
As an Economic Development professional trained in the private sector, I understand that we must look at our industry with an entrepreneurial perspective. The City of Ontario, California values its involvement with CoreNet Global as it provides access to the top thought leaders in corporate real estate as well as a wealth of knowledge and best practices. The relationships that we have made and strengthened in this organization will continue to help us improve the quality of life for our companies and our residents.
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