Vision North Texas

East & Southeast Fort Worth Economic Development Summit

September 17, 2010

North Texas – a major player

• As large as the state of Massachusetts• Dominant U.S. metro

– 4th largest population– 4th largest employment– 5th largest GDP

• Big & getting bigger– 5.31 million people in 2000– 9.49 million people in 2030– 11.66 million people in 2050

What is Vision North Texas?• Private-public-academic

partnership– ULI, NCTCOG, UTA are Charter

sponsors

• Begun in late 2004• Objectives

– Increase awareness about expected growth

– Serve as a forum for dialogue among all stakeholders about critical issues

– Build support for initiatives that create a successful and sustainable future for North Texas

Stakeholder Awareness

Awareness & Dialogue

New Policy Direction

“The time has come to work together on regional land use issues. We need a ‘regional gamebook’ to grow successfully.”

--- Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief

VNT Milestone 3

Download or purchase at www.visionnorthtexas.org

A Vision for North Texas

North Texas is recognized worldwide as a region that sustains its economic success and vitality because it contains many distinctive and highly desirable communities, supports innovative people and businesses and nurtures its varied natural assets.

• It contains diverse neighborhoods, mixed use centers and communities that appeal to people of all income levels and at all stages of their lives.• It is a preferred location for the employees and

businesses that comprise the broad-based and innovative local economy.• It offers residents and businesses access to resources and

opportunities that lead to their long-term success.• It protects, manages and enhances critical natural areas

and uses energy and natural resources responsibly.• It supports resilient and effective responses to change

through collaboration and cooperation within the region.

Federal Partnership

North Texas Application

• Requested $5M for projects over 3 years

• VNT Partnership is basic structure, NCTCOG is administrative agent

• Federal funds would leverage our regional efforts to implement North Texas 2050

• Important opportunity to align federal, state, local investments to support sustainable communities in our region

North Texas Application Contents

• Regional capacity-building: demographic forecasting & alternative demographics

• Silo-busting for aligning regional investment strategies

• Meeting high-priority inner/outer tier housing & transportation needs

• Achieving safe, clean and green urban watersheds

• Keeping our rural communities rural & thriving while protecting our water supply lakes

• Sustaining healthy communities

East & Southeast Fort Worth?

• Regional attention & support for economic development, neighborhood preservation, revitalization opportunities in ‘inner tier’

• Tools for EDC’s, CDC’s, neighborhoods groups, business/property owners– Strengthen linkages between affordable

housing, job locations & transportation– Facilitate reuse of abandoned properties– Assistance for ‘green’ stormwater management– Coalition for accessible, affordable & nutritious

foods

Business as Usual is Dead…

• The future North Texans want has sustainable, vital ‘inner tier’ communities.

• Federal grant will be an important resource for sustainability.

• Your decisions & involvement will help create a region that is better than business as usual.

www.visionnorthtexas.org