Broken Arrow City Council
Meeting of: 05-19-2020
Title:
title
Presentation, discussion, and possible approval of Preliminary Broken Arrow Innovation Strategy Framework Recommendations
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Background:
The Innovation Strategy team, comprising of The Mayor, The City Manager, City Staff, representatives of BA Schools, Economic Development Corp. (EDC) members, BA Chamber of Commerce Staff and the Consulting team of Halff Assoc. and HR&A Consultants, have collaborated over the last six months, in preparing a status update and preliminary framework recommendations for the City’s Innovation Strategy.
This program was initiated last September, with the approval of the City Council, to retain the Consulting team to create an Innovation District Strategy.
The early phases of this study, conducted last fall, included kick-off meetings, economic and market analysis, and analyzing the potential needs of the City. In the first quarter of 2020, additional field studies and discussions were held on several occasions. Over the last several weeks, an innovation-focused economic and market analysis of the City and the region has been developed, as well as framework strategies to initiate the City’s innovation strategy.
The enclosed presentation summaries the ongoing framework recommendations developed by the Consulting Team. These recommendations focus on the requirements, location and potential sequencing to initiate an innovation district strategy in Broken Arrow. This component of the Innovation District strategy lays out the Goals and Potential Steps towards this endeavor.
Due to ongoing travel restrictions, Bob Geolas, partner with HR&A Advisors, will present this preliminary framework plan, their findings and suggestions virtually to the City Council. Potential opportunities for grant funding will also be discussed.
The Consulting Team and Staff recommend City Council acceptance and approval of these framework recommendations. Approval will allow Staff and the Consulting Team to proceed to the next steps and also allow City staff to consider near-term grant opportunities that may be moving forward at a federal level.
Cost: $0
Funding Source: None
Requested By: Larry R. Curtis, Community Development Director
Approved By: City Manager Office
Attachments: BA City Council Presentation
Recommendation:
recommend
As directed by City Council.
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