Snap Summary: CUSLI Conference 2013, Day 2, Bridge Builders Panel

The panel, chaired by Mowat Center Director Matthew Mendelsohn, discussed the great challenges facing the Great Lakes Region.  From just this emerging list of Great Lakes priorities, its clear ha there is a need for an organization like The Council of the Great Lakes Region (CGLR) is bring together experts and decision-makers to ensure a bright future for the Great Lakes Region.

Water and Non-Native Invasive Species.  Former Ohio Governor Robert Taft stressed water and non-native invasive species, noting the region’s core interdependence does not just derive from deep economic ties, but from geography and natural resource distribution.

Jobs.  Former Mayor of Toronto David R Miller gave a three-pronged proposal to generate jobs in the Great Lakes Region.

-“...how do we translate the regional excellence and depth in the region…to the next generation of jobs."

-“...is there a way to say we’re going to buy 'Great Lakes' because we’re all one region."

-National Government involvement:  “particularly over the next generation of jobs which, for me, includes manufacturing…And I believe we don’t have that regional thinking right now [as opposed to other American regions].”

A Coordinated Public Sector Approach to Creating a Durable 21^st Century Economy in the Great Lakes. Laurel Broton:  “If we look at what we aspire at for each of our own communities…[we need] a regional focus for success.”  Economy Economy

Broton stressed the need for the Great Lakes public sector to reflect the integration that so many Great Lakes industries have already adopted.

The Great Lakes is still “the center” of advanced manufacturing, only “one of three in the world.”

Quality of Life is the Critical Indicator, Let’s Find Ways to Alter Perceptions and Increase the Great Lakes Quality of Life.

Former Governor Blanchard then made a penetrating point that the real way to improve a region is to improve its quality of life, a factor reflecting a mesh of economic, environmental, and attitudinal factors.

“The name of the game for the economy is quality of life.”

“The truth is that the states with high quality of life have high or low taxes.”

Former Governor James Blanchard then stressed an integrated approach to promoting tourism.  “What you’re really doing [when promoting tourism] is advertising to the public quality of life.”