Minority Business Owner Survey Results
Researchers from the University of Washington Business School recently completed a survey of 376 statewide Minority Business Owners to determine their confidence level and views on industry trends. The survey showed that although confident in their abilities to succeed, Minority Business Owners face hurdles such as difficulty obtaining credit and the perception that the state's business climate is not supportive.
In Washington, the share of minority owned businesses is growing faster than that of non-minority owned business. "Minority owners will employ an increasing share of Washington's workforce," said UW Professor William Bradford, "and provide a growing share of business tax revenues to support public expenditures."
The complete survey results are available online at http://bschool.washington.edu/bedc/msbs-may07.pdf
Prosperity Partnership Seeking Consulants to Finalize and Implement MBO Strategy
In response to data such as the above survey from the University of Washington, the Prosperity Partnership's Minority Economic Development Working Group has created a draft plan that focuses on growing the capacity of minority small businesses to access credit and to secure contracting opportunities with government and large corporations. In order to finalize this proposal, and begin to implement its strategies, the Prosperity Partnership is hiring a consultant through the PSRC's proposal review and selection process. The Request for Proposals (RFP) can be found online at psrc.org. For questions or additional information, please contact Eric Schinfeld at 206-587-5063, eschinfeld@psrc.org
Click here to see some of our Partner’s Events
If your organization is not currently a Partner and would like to become one, please contact Eric Schinfeld, 206-587-5063, eschinfeld@psrc.org.
|
|
Prosperity Partnership E-Newsletter
July 20, 2007
- Lifting the Cascade Curtain - Puget Sound and Spokane Delegations Impressed by Central Washington
-
Prosperity Partnership's Cultural Taskforce Proposal Advances
-
Pierce Roundtable Field Meeting Highlights Key Successes
Lifting the Cascade Curtain - Puget Sound and Spokane Delegations Impressed by Central Washington
Students from Heritage University's SIFE program along with:
Bob Drewel, Sue Singer, Deborah Knutson, John Ladenburg and Rich Hadley
The Prosperity Partnership brought nearly 80 industrial, government, nonprofit, education and business leaders from the Puget Sound and Spokane regions together in Central Washington to tour the area's brightest economic achievements. The trip provided opportunities to explore concrete ways in which eastern, central and western Washington communities can collaborate more closely in the coming year.
"It's become more apparent each year that our region's economic future is more closely linked to the success of central and eastern Washington than ever before," said Bob Drewel, Executive Director of the Puget Sound Regional Council. "This trip gave us solid leads on how we can work together to ensure prosperity in all parts of the state."
Participants experienced several types of economic development projects first hand, including learning:
- How Grant County landed key economic development projects like Quincy's Microsoft Data Center and Washington Biodiesel's ethanol plant
- How cutting edge video conferencing technology is bringing people together at the Wenatchee Confluence Technology Center
- How silicon is refined to help harness solar energy at REC silicon's plant
- Why Big Bend Community College is turning out world class pilots ready to adapt to the changing aerospace industry
- How 127 wind turbines can produce 229 megawatts of clean, renewable energy at Puget Sound Energy's Wild Horse wind facility
- What Washington can do to position itself as a world leader in clean technology
- How first generation students at Heritage University are graduating with bachelor's degrees.
- Why Yakima's wine country is booming and attracting more high end developments like The Vineyards project
- When to invest in strategic downtown revitalization projects such as Capitol Theatre in downtown Yakima
For more information, contact Angela Kerwin at 206-587-5061 or akerwin@psrc.org.
 back to top
Prosperity Partnership's Cultural Taskforce Proposal Advances
The Economic Development District Board approved the draft Cultural Taskforce proposal to increase access to our region's scientific and cultural organizations through a sustainable public funding source. The funding would bolster the region's quality of life through increased access to museums, science centers, theaters, arts events, and zoos. Not only do organizations like these provide the community building benefits that attract and retain talented high demand workers, they also have an important economic impact, generating jobs, tax revenue and associated spending.
A recent survey commissioned by Americans for the Arts, highlighted the economic benefits arts, scientific and cultural organizations are contributing to the region. According to "Arts & Economic Prosperity III," Seattle's Arts and Cultural organizations are generating $330 million in economic activity and provide nearly 8,000 jobs. The survey also showed that Seattle's organizations are regionally significant, with nearly 37 percent of polled attendees visiting from outside King County.
Modeled on Denver's highly successful and popular Scientific and Cultural Facilities District (www.scfd.org), the funding would provide general operating support to these organizations and offer residents of the four county area an increased number of free days, discounted tickets, educational programs, outreach activities, and traveling performances and exhibitions.
The EDD board's action empowers the steering committee to solicit feedback from regional leaders on the proposal, and to make changes based on that input. The Cultural Taskforce has also commissioned a full economic impact study of scientific and cultural organizations in the four-county region, hired public affairs and legislative consultants, and is conducting polling to determine the interest in such a proposal from local residents.
Once feedback has been received and a plan put in place, the Taskforce will begin work this fall to build broad consensus and support for the plan's adoption. For more information, contact Eric Schinfeld, Associate Economic Policy Analyst with the Puget Sound Regional Council, at (206) 587-5063 or eschinfeld@psrc.org.
back to top
Pierce Roundtable Field Meeting Highlights Key Successes
More than 66 regional leaders discovered why Pierce County is such an important contributor to the region's economy at the Prosperity Partnership's second roundtable field meeting. Participants enjoyed guided tours of the Boeing Company's Composite Manufacturing Center in Frederickson, the Port of Tacoma and the Tacoma Art Museum.
Boeing's Composite factory is responsible for the production of the vertical fin of the 787 Dreamliner, which debuted to global fanfare on 7/8/07. The Port of Tacoma helps generate $535 million a year in revenue for Pierce County businesses. The Tacoma Art Museum collection tops 3,200 works and features a permanent installation by Dale Chihuly, as well as pieces by Mary Cassatt, Edgar Degas, Edward Hopper, Jacob Lawrence, and Pierre Auguste Renoir.
Attendees also enjoyed presentations and discussions regarding the local industry cluster, the contributions of minority owned businesses, the role of non-profits and the new Chambers Bay golf course.
The next Roundtable Field Meeting will take place in Kitsap County on September 14, highlighting the county's clean technology, military, life sciences and IT industry clusters. For more information, contact Eric Schinfeld, Associate Economic Policy Analyst, 206-587-5063, eschinfeld@psrc.org.
back to top
|
|
