 |
|
Strategy and
Recommendations
for Economic Resurgence in the Northern Forest
The Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative
(SEI) released its strategy and recommendations on
Oct. 8, 2008. The full strategy, a summary, a news release
and an audio file of the media tele-conference are available
for download below. |
SEI began in 2006 to advance the findings of the Northern
Forest Lands Council 10th Anniversary Forum and its recommendation
to create “community and economic development strategies
across the region to reinvigorate the rural economies of
the Northern Forest.”
The Initiative has been led by a four-state Steering
Committee appointed jointly by the four governors
and the organizations managing the project: the Northern
Forest Center and the North
Country Council. The federal
Economic Development Administration and private contributions
funded the two-year project.
Throughout the project, sixty government, community and
business leaders served as appointees, alternates and advisors
representing diverse sectors—arts, tourism, forest products,
education, the environment, utilities, banking, and community
and economic development.
Over the course of two years, this group came together to
understand the shared challenges facing Northern Forest communities,
identify the region’s assets and opportunities, and agree
on a shared vision and strategy for revitalizing the Northern
Forest economy and sustaining the long term health of its
people and lands. The Strategy for Economic Resurgence represents
the product of the Steering Committee’s work.
The completed strategy calls for long-term regional action
in three areas:
- Protect and enhance the region’s assets by
investing in its people, communities, infrastructure and
natural resource base.
- Expand enterprise by encouraging workforce,
entrepreneurial and business development.
- Coordinate and advocate as a region to
adapt to change by understanding and advocating for regional
interests and priorities.
|
|