Assignments

Updated 02/28/05.

Mid-sized Cities Profile

 A new economic development program for the state of Georgia, called the Georgia Centers of Innovation, has been initiated to develop new economic development capabilities in cities in Georgia. The program is targeted primarily to the four largest metropolitan areas outside of Atlanta: Columbus, Macon, Augusta, and Savannah. (An additional center is being added in Tifton, Georgia.) Information on the program can be found at:

• Governor’s Office: http://www.gov.state.ga.us/press/2002_2003/press295.shtml

• Georgia Office of Economic Development: http://www.smartgeorgia.org/greatergeorgia/greatergeorgia.html

There are 3 assignments associated with this program:

• Assignment 1

• Assignment 2

• Assignment 3

Student Allocations for Assignment 1 & 2 by City

Assignment 1

 In support of this program, a consultant has asked you to prepare a professional profile and presentation. You are asked to prepare an orientation, information and data profile which describes the development of your selected locations, demographic, economic and industrial structure, and key developmental assets.

 You have flexibility in how you organize this presentation, but you should include the following items:

• Demographic trends

• Economic and sectoral structure, including methods and measures such as economic base analysis, location quotients, shift share analysis

• Key employers

• Income levels and distribution of income

• Economic development infrastructure and assets, including transportation and logistics facilities

• Governance structures and organization, including economic development agencies and organizations, public, non-profit and private development agencies, roles, objectives, funding, activities

• Economic development strategies

• GIS map

Web sites, references, photos/images, other information sources.

You will work in teams of 2-3 students. Teams will participate as presenters or reviewers of another team's presentation. 
All data and information should be the most recent, up-to-date available.

 Assignment 2

 The consultant that reviewed your presentation asked that you modify it to add information to show the talent and idea capabilities of your cities. Please develop a new presentation that incorporates the following:

·         Innovation assets, such as research centers, technology transfer facilities, research parks, technology incubators, innovation promotion programs, information infrastructures, innovation support programs and associations – provide information on size, funding, tenants, sub-programs or other attributes of these assets

·         Knowledge assets including patents, publications, and trademarks by company or individual or industry

·         Occupational employment analysis, e.g., occupational location quotients, changes in occupational employment over time, changes in occupational employment by wage levels, changes in occupational employment by education/experience levels

·         Educational characteristics, key educational institutions, departments and major areas, research facilities

·         “Creativity assets” such as theatres, galleries, parks/sports/recreational facilities

·         Knowledge-based economic development strategies.

All data and information should be the most recent, up-to-date available.