MetroBusinessNet

As the pilot for a learning collaborative on regional economic development, MetroBusinessNet quickly realized that a new breed of regional business civic organizations is increasing in popularity and influence across America. Yet, there was a need for a vehicle to share best practices and provide an opportunity to learn from one another.

MetroBusinessNet turned to the LGI team to help craft messaging for the business executives and cross-sector partners that form the heart of these regional business civic organizations. In documenting their best practices and sharing them with other thought leaders around the country, the LGI team developed a variety of print and online publications as well as educational audio conferences for journalists that captured the evolution of this emerging field and showcased company stories for replication by other regions.

Under LGI’s strategic counsel, communications products mirrored the evolution of the field: from fundamental communications pieces about the need for a regional approach, to documentation of the business and community benefits of regional business civic organizations in action. Among these organizations was Chicago Metropolis 2020, whose work on the jobs/housing mismatch documented the higher absenteeism, higher turnover, and higher training costs for new workers associated with the lack of affordable housing in the Chicago area suburbs. A replay of the LGI educational audio conference, “Not Your Father's Chamber of Commerce: Regionalism and the New Business-Civic Organizations,” featuring Frank Beal, Executive Director, has been downloaded more than a hundred times by users.

Other LGI success stories in working with business organizations include the U.S. Chamber of Commerce – Center for Workforce Preparation and the Ford Foundation Corporate Involvement Initiative, among many others.