Redesigning State Economic Development AgenciesThis white paper focuses on what states are doing -- and can do -- to redesign their economic development agencies so that they are more effective. The changes implemented in states’ economic development agencies should be designed to increase the productivity and sharpen the focus of those agencies and be evaluated against the growth of state economies.National Governors AssociationNGA_bc01121c-3bd6-11e2-acab-724acf2fd515NGA Center for Best PracticesThe NGA Center for Best Practices’ review of current practices and conversations with business leaders and government officials reveals that there are three foundational strategies that can greatly increase the effectiveness of economic development agencies ...State Economic Development AgenciesErinSparksCo-Author -- Senior Policy AnalystLucas PappasCo-Author -- Finance and operations associate at The Calvert Foundation_bc011456-3bd6-11e2-acab-724acf2fd515To redesign state economic development agencies so that they are more effective._bc01156e-3bd6-11e2-acab-724acf2fd515Private Sector InvolvementEngage and sustain private sector involvement._bc01160e-3bd6-11e2-acab-724acf2fd5151Oregon Business Council (OBC)Engaging local businesses through the use of public-private development boards and other cooperative endeavors can bring useful expertise and perspective to the development process. In Oregon, for example, the private sector has become a central actor in the economic development process through an independent organization called the Oregon Business Council (OBC) that is run entirely by a collective of supporting businesses._bc01169a-3bd6-11e2-acab-724acf2fd515CollaborationCreate mechanisms to encourage collaboration._bc01173a-3bd6-11e2-acab-724acf2fd5152North Carolina Government AgenciesNonprofit Organizations Private Businesses State LegislaturesColoradoNew YorkTennesseeBusinessesAcademic InstitutionsCollaboration among businesses, academic institutions, and government agencies is one of the most important characteristics of effective economic development infrastructures. North Carolina spurs collaboration through a 37-member economic development board made up of representatives from government agencies, nonprofit organizations, private businesses, and the state legislature. Collaboration between states and regions is becoming increasingly important, as well. Colorado, New York, and Tennessee have all recently completed regional plans that have been rolled up into a statewide economic development plan._bc0117da-3bd6-11e2-acab-724acf2fd515EvaluationInstitute a quantitative evaluation system._bc01188e-3bd6-11e2-acab-724acf2fd5153MaineMassachusettsMississippiOregonEconomic development agencies that use metrics for evaluation such as return on investment and job creation have the statistical information they need to target areas for focused policy and to ensure that state funds are being channeled to the most productive uses possible. Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, and Oregon benchmark specific indicators related to the innovation economy and the contribution of those indicators to state economic growth._bc011942-3bd6-11e2-acab-724acf2fd5152012-12-01http://www.nga.org/files/live/sites/NGA/files/pdf/1209RedesigningStateEconomicPaper.pdfOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net