Assessment of Ten States' Economic Development Strategic Plans and Planning Processes

Abstract

The presumption underlying economic development strategic planning is that better planning leads to better economic performance. The results of this research begin to address the first half of that equation: what makes a better plan or strategy? The intention of this study was not to be critical of states' planning efforts, but to provide information about what has been tried, what has survived, and what is being planned. This study provides a comprehensive summary and assessment of the economic development planning processes of selected states in the Midwest. It does not determine the extent to which the strategies were followed or the effectiveness of those strategies. The research focused upon the following objectives: Describe states' economic development strategic plans and determine the process of strategic planning, assess the plan and process, and describe what lessons can be learned.

Ten states agreed to participate in this study: Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. To determine each state's overall economic development strategy, states were asked to send documents that described or explained their economic development strategic plan or strategy. This was followed by a structured interview process designed to ascertain the current status of each state's plan as well as the nature and characteristics of the planning processes relating to economic development. Findings were based upon information gathered over approximately three months, from a well-informed but limited number of persons in each state, and from documents collected. While every effort was made to cover a range of key players ( e.g., executive, legislative, private sector, etc.), not all perspectives may be represented. What is presented is an overview of each state's situation as presented in key documents and as understood by key players.