Prosperity Agenda

A strong economy brings more to a city than money- prosperity means much more than wealth. Prosperity means opportunity; opportunity makes a city livable, a livable city is a prosperous city. There is a vital cycle where a strong economy supports a vital city, and a vital city supports a strong economy. Isn't that what we want for Brandon? Where there is an interdependence between the community and the economy.

In the past, the labels that separated us were developing countries and first world economies, of rich and poor countries, but those days are swiftly coming to a close. Now, the successful communities will be known as innovative, talent-attracting "have" regions and those that do not prosper will be talent-exporting have-not regions. And before you become complacent, think about the number of graduates from the College and University that leave Brandon to find jobs.

Brandon is well positioned to thrive in the New Economy. We have the College and the University graduating a thousand students a year, well equipped to build a future for themselves. Perhaps we can tap into that potential to build a future for our city. We live in an era where you can be anywhere and online. We live in a wonderful city that offers a great quality of both place and life. We just need to figure out what to do with these incredible assets, and have a City leadership that understands that, in fact, these are assets.

Brandon needs to think about quality not quantity in terms of economic development. Just because the economic recession, globalization, new technological advances have changed the rules, doesn't mean that Brandon can't learn the rules and win the game.

Because of increased competitiveness from the global economy, the emphasis has shifted from cost advantage- because there will always be a country or province or city that will do it cheaper than us- to one of quality of life. What are Brandon's unique, unduplicable, competitive advantages?

• Cities are the key to economic growth- the Feds and the Province aren't going to care as much as we do about Brandon thriving in the new economy. We have to take ownership of this ourselves.
• There is a new knowledge-based economy. We are training (and exporting) graduates for this new world where brain vs brawn power is king. But are we recognizing and seizing on the opportunities available?
• Building community capacity will be critical for success; in our people, in our infrastructure, in our competitiveness. We have all the raw ingredients, we just need to be smarter in how we deploy them.
  
• Strategic planning and allocating resources will be key in how we move forward as a city. How will we use capital assets like the Convergys Building? How will we use technology assets like the MRnet? How will we use the graduates from out educational institutions?
• How will we nurture local competitiveness? Winnipeg used to be the primary threat to Brandon's growth, but other communities in rural Manitoba are now stepping up to the plate and giving Brandon a run for its money. Morden/ Winkler/ Steinbach will soon supplant Brandon for population. Russell, Neepawa, and Portage are expanding the toolbox for economic development. Brandon has been resting on its laurels and now our rural neighbours are seizing the advantage.
• Is Brandon ready for investment? We talk a good fight but if a hightech company was looking for a lovely, safe community to transfer a division- would Brandon have the answers to their questions?

So how do we create a community known for vitality and innovation? That attracts the businesses that will succeed in the new economy? How do we utilize our key, competitive advantages?

The Prosperity Agenda series of postings will look at these issues, and what other communities are doing to succeed in the changing economic landscape. This won't be the Brandon we have known, instead it will be Brandon 2.0. Because you can't have upward mobility if no one is on the move.