Transcript No Slide Title

CONNECT SI
Southern Illinois: Garden of the Gods
Readiness Assessment
Chapter 5: Southern Illinois Competitiveness
January 7, 2008; revised February 17
ViTAL Economy Alliance
Frank Knott, Project Lead; Stan Halle, Senior Editor;
Jim Haguewood, Rob Beynon, & Neil Gamroth, Principal Economic Researchers
[email protected]; http://www.vitaleconomy.com
—1—
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Table of Contents

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW: the Big Picture & Importance of Change in SI

READINESS ASSESSMENT (RA)
1. State, National & Global Trends
2. Indigenous Resources & Industry Asset Mapping
3. Enabling Environment
5.01 Global Market Readiness
4. Climate of Innovation, Incubation & Entrepreneurship
5. Southern Illinois Competitiveness
5.02 Workforce Availability and
Quality
5.03 Knowledge Infrastructure:
Assessment
6. Regional Perspectives
5.04 Location Advantages
5.05 Implications &
Recommendations
7. Roadmap to Success
APPENDICES
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Southern Illinois — "Garden of the Gods"
Chapter 1 of the RA presented global and national trends;
Chapter 2, the assets that enable SI to compete and leverage these trends;
Chapter 3, reviewed SI’s enabling environment readiness to capture forecasted growth opportunities;
Chapter 4, assessed the SI climate of innovation and entrepreneurship;
Chapter 5, determines SI’s readiness to compete on the national and global stage
Chapter 5:
Southern Illinois Competitiveness
5.01 Global Market Readiness …………………………. 6
5.02 Workforce Availability and Quality ……………….. 11
5.03 Knowledge Infrastructure: Assessment …………..18
5.04 Location Advantages ……………………………… 26
5.05 Implications & Recommendations ……………….. 32
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
The Pyramid of Competitiveness
5.0 Competitiveness: Introduction
Sustainable
Growth
The NCC defines competitiveness as those factors that impact the ability of SI firms to compete in
international markets & provide SI citizens with the opportunity to improve their quality of life
Source: National Competitiveness Council, Annual Report 2006
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
5.0 Competitiveness: Introduction
Illinois Competitiveness Rankings In
Relationship to 50 U.S. States

Beacon Hill Institute 2006 State Competitiveness Report …… 33rd

Milken Institute 2007 Cost of Doing Business Index …………. 18th

Tax Foundation 2008 State Business Tax Climate Index …… 28th

Morgan Quinto Press 2006 Most Livable State Index ……….. 28th
(Beacon Hill, Tax Foundation, Morgan Quinto Press and ALEC ranks best to worst 1-50. Milken Institute ranks worst to best 1-50)
2007 American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) —
Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Rankings
Economic Outlook
State
Economic Performance
42
Illinois
48
1
Utah
20
10
Texas
1
Sources: ViTAL Economy Research and Individual Research Reports as listed above
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Southern Illinois — "Garden of the Gods"
The global marketplace is growing four times faster than the SI economy. Emerging and
developing countries around the world desire U.S. products and services to support their
improving quality of life. SI should leverage Illinois global trade-experience to expand SI import
and exports by $1billion/year. “It is the 4th quarter in SI and time to get in the game!”
Chapter 5:
Southern Illinois Competitiveness
5.01 Global Market Readiness
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
The Opportunity on the Global Stage
5.01 Global Market Readiness
The World
economy is
growing at
four-times the
rate of SI
Average Annual
Growth Rate %
6
5
5.62%
4
3
3.14%
2
2.19%
1
1.34%
0
AAGR 1977-2001
Worldwide
USA
State-wide
Southern Illinois
AAGR = Average Annual Growth Rate
Accessing the Global Economy is the Key to SI Economic Growth
Source: “State of Working Illinois”, by Northern Illinois University (Nov 2005); “21st Century Workforce” (May 2004); IMF
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Illinois Participation in U.S. Global Trade
5.01 Global Market Readiness
• U.S. Top Five Total Trade
Partners
Illinois % Share of U.S. Trade
4.2%
4.1%
4.0%
3.9%
3.8%
3.7%
3.6%
3.5%
2003
2004
2005
1. Canada – 18.2%
2. China – 12.4%
3. Mexico – 11.2%
4. Japan – 6.7%
5. Germany – 4.6%
2006

Top Foreign Export Markets for Illinois
(2006 $ million)
Top five export
nations for
Illinois:
12,500
10,000
7,500
5,000
Canada
Unite d Kingdom
Aus tr alia
Me xico
Japan
Ge r m any
Source: Foreign Trade Division, U.S. Census Bureau, 10/07
Top five export
nations for the
U.S.:

Canada

Canada

Mexico

Mexico

U.K.

Japan

Japan

China

Australia

UK
2,500
0

Largest and fastest growing country
market in the world is not in Illinois’
top five export markets!
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
SI Represents Less Than 1% of Illinois Global Trade
5.01 Global Market Readiness
Illinois Export Products
Value
%
Illinois Export Facts
• Total value Illinois exports 2006 = $42.08 billion
Machinery Manufactures
$11.7B
27.8%
Computers & Electronics
$5.4B
12.8%
o 29.2% went north to Canada ($12.3B)
Transportation Equipment
$4.7B
11.1%
o 8.8% went south to Mexico ($3.7B)
Electronic Eq., Appliances & Parts
$2.8B
6.6%
Processed Foods
$1.9B
4.5%
Fabricated Metal Products
$1.6B
3.8%
Misc. Manufactures
$1.5B
3.5%
Plastic/Rubber Products
$1.0B
2.3%
Crop Productions
$710M
1.7%
Printing & Related Products
$424M
1.0%
Oil/Gas Extraction
$296M
.69%
Petroleum/Coal Products
$110M
.26%
Wood Products
$71M
.17%
Beverage/Tobacco Products
$50M
.12%
Mining
$38M
.09%
Animal Production
$22M
.05%
Fishing, Hunting, Trapping
$2M
.00%
Southern Illinois Export Analysis
GSP**
Export Value
% of
GSP
Illinois
$560 billion
$42.08 billion
7.5%
SI
$17.6 billion
$420 million
2.4%
SI as a
%
3.47% of IL
GSP
1% of State
exports
SI exports as a % of GSP are less than
1/3 of Illinois = $1 billion gap/year
**GSP = Gross State Product (similar to GDP)
Source: Office of Trade & Industry Information, Manufacturing and Services International Trade Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
SI Global Market Doors are Open
5.01 Global Market Readiness

Illinois ranks #5 in U.S. global trading in 2006





Illinois exports have grown by 64% from 2002-2006
70% of all U.S. trade goes through the State of Illinois
Direct export values were 7.5% of Illinois GSP in 2006
Exports support 448,400 jobs in Illinois, approx. 7.5% of the
workforce
In addition to top U.S. trade partners (slide 8), the fastest growing
export markets 2002-2006 are:

Argentina, Turkey, Chile, Switzerland, and Taiwan
Global Market Initiatives & Resources Available to SI:
• SIUE International Trade Center serving 45 Southern Illinois Counties
• International Trade Missions, Annual Export Conferences
• International Market Analysis, Identification of Foreign Buyers
• Export Finance Assistance
Source: DCEO Office of Trade and Investment, Southern Illinoisan, October 2007, SIUE International Trade Center
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Southern Illinois — "Garden of the Gods"
In a “World is Flat” Economy, a region’s success is no longer measured on where you compete,
but rather how you compete. Highly skilled and educated human resources will be the key to
economic prosperity for the foreseeable future.
Chapter 5:
Southern Illinois’ Competitiveness
5.02 Workforce Availability and Quality
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
The Global Workforce Bind
5.02 Workforce Availability & Quality
The quantity and quality of SI’s workforce are the most important and immediate
factors impacting economic growth, particularly given the shift from agriculture and
manufacturing to knowledge based economy (ref: Section 1.04)
• Demographic
developments are
leading to fewer people
in the prime workforce
age group
• Expanding economic
development worldwide
is demanding more
products and services
• Flattening and
declining birthrates
around the world are
reducing workforce
supply
• Technology progress is
demanding an increase
in quality and quantity of
workforce
• Job opportunities for
low skilled workers are
declining everywhere
• Global competition is
increasingly generating
greater demands for
quality workers
Source: Confronting the Coming Talent Crunch;
The Connect SI initiative will exacerbate
these shortfalls and must be addressed
What is Next? Global Manpower Report
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
5.02 Workforce Availability & Quality
Low Labor Participation Rates
Challenge SI Workforce Availability
Quantity
Gap
Labor force participation rate: 15-64 age population/total employed
15-64
Population
Illinois
Employed
Participation
Rate
8,207,764
6,230,617
76%
SE Region
32,161
22,252
69%
GE Region
164,134
108,267
66%*
GW Region
31,980
22,721
71%
S5 Region
35,887
22,528
62.8%*
SI Region
264,162
175,768
66.5%
National
Average
69.6%
• SI: more than 10% below Illinois in labor force participation rate
10% = 24,995 individuals that are available to be in the workforce, but for
one reason or another, they are not employed or seeking employment
Source: 2000 U.S. Census; ** Adjusted, not including prison populations
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
5.02 Workforce Availability & Quality
Connect SI Strategy Magnifies
the Possible Worker Shortage in SI
Quantity
Gap
Franklin, Jackson, Jefferson, Perry, Williamson
Projected Worker Shortage 2010
Source: 21st Century Workforce: Southern Illinois, May 2004
SI Same Trend Growth
SI Working Age Population Growth
Potential Shortfall
13,758
-1,855
15,613
Connect SI Job Goals
COI Est. Increase in Labor Force by 2012
Potential Workforce Shortfall
43,298
24,248
(70.9% participation of 34,198 COI population projection)
TOTAL Potential Workforce Shortage:
— 14 —
19,050
34,663
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
5.02 Workforce Availability & Quality
SI’s Talent Supply/Demand Disconnect
Is Worse Than Global Disconnect
Getting both the right supply
and right skills is essential
Quantity&
Quality
Gap
$/hour & skills
Developed Economies Global
Labor Market
Lack of resources
creates tension on the
high-skills market
Over-supply of low-skills
resources creates
unemployment
Southern Illinois Labor Market
Pronounced oversupply of low-skilled
labor
SI opportunity to create a
more highly skilled Workforce
Supply of workers
Men
Women
Number of people of
available/required by skill level
Source: Confronting the Coming Global Talent Crunch, What’s Next? Manpower 2006
— 15 —
Demand for workers
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
5.02 Workforce Availability & Quality
SI Future Economy Will Require
Higher Skilled Workers
Quality
Gap
Tomorrow’s occupations will require much more
education and training than yesterday’s occupations
Southern Illinois Comparison to the U.S.
% of tomorrow’s occupations requiring at
least a bachelor’s degree in Southern
Illinois is higher that the U.S.
Southern
Illinois
United
States
32%
28%
Implication: the quality of the SI workforce in the future needed to fill forecast jobs is higher than the U.S.
Southern
The share of occupations that only
require OJT is smaller in Southern Illinois
than in the U.S.
Illinois
United
States
74%
94%
Implication: occupations in SI that only require OJT are declining; thus the need for increased
emphasis on training and retraining of incumbent workers in the region as more get displaced
Source: 21st Century Workforce: Southern Illinois, May 2004
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Job Training Projections for SI
Quality
Gap
5.02 Workforce Availability & Quality
SI Workforce
Training Scenario
SI Jobs Projection:
= 43,298
44% requiring
postsecondary or
higher education
= 19,051
44% of the new job growth requires postsecondary vocational training
or higher level of education
Source: The State of Working Illinois, 2005
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Southern Illinois — "Garden of the Gods"
Knowledge infrastructure is comprised of public and private organizations and institutions whose
role is the production, maintenance, distribution, application and protection of knowledge. This
infrastructure is critical to building and sustaining a viable innovation economy.
Chapter 5:
Southern Illinois Competitiveness
5.03 Knowledge Infrastructure:
Assessment
— 18 —
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Knowledge Infrastructure: Roles
5.03 Knowledge Infrastructure: Assessment

Regional knowledge infrastructures have three primary roles in building a
robust and growing knowledge economy
1. Creating Knowledge
 Education and skills — programs that build, retain and/or acquire skills
 R&D — programs that support innovation through investment
2. Sharing Knowledge
 Build critical mass and linkages — programs which increase collaboration
 Strengthen information & communication networks — expand ICT
systems
3. Using Knowledge
 Commercialization processes — improve prospects for commercialization
 Develop clusters — programs to strengthen existing and build emerging
clusters
 Attract & secure Investments — programs to increase investment capital
for R&D
 Develop int’l linkages — programs to facilitate international R&D linkages
Source: The Role of Knowledge Infrastructure in Regional Economic Development, Canadian Journal of
Regional Science 2005 and Western Australian Technology & Industry Advisory Council, 2003
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
SI Knowledge Infrastructure Assets Are Plentiful
5.03 Knowledge Infrastructure: Assessment




SIUC’s Four R&D Pillars

Illinois Entrepreneurship Network

Energy & Environment
•
Southern Illinois Entrepreneurship Center

Biotechnology
•
Illinois Small Business Development Ctr

Materials Technology
•
Illinois Manufacturing Extension Center

Neuroscience
•
Southern Tech
•
Illinois Procurement Technical Asst Ctrs
Small Business Development Centers

Rend Lake College
•
Technology Enterprise Centers

Shawnee College
•
International Trade Centers

Southeastern Illinois College
•
Camp CEO Programs

John A. Logan College
•
Challenge Grant Program
SIUC and SIUE


SIU Transportation Education Center

Illinois Eastern Colleges

SI Business Incubators

SIUC Business Incubator

West Frankfort Business Incubator

DRA Mounds Incubator
Many Entrepreneurs & Innovators
across SI
Source: ViTAL Economy Research
— 20 —
SIU 20+ Research Centers

Dixon Springs Agriculture Research Ctr

Illinois Clean Coal Institute

National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Ctr

SIU Business Research Parks

SIUC Coal Research Center

SIU School of Medicine
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
5.03 Knowledge Infrastructure: Assessment



Education Attainment is the
Foundation for a Strong Workforce
Population with High School
or Higher in SI Regions and IL
SI trails Illinois in % high school
completion
SI’s workforce with advanced
degrees is less than half that of
Illinois
This low level of educational
attainment is a major challenge to
compete in a global economy
S5
SE
GW
GE
IL
0%
25%
50%
75%
100%
Population with Bachelor Degree
or Higher in SI Regions and IL
• SI’s “creating knowledge”
infrastructure is in place, but results
are not satisfactory
S5
SE
GW
GE
IL
• Only 12% of SI population has a
bachelors degree or higher when SI
job-growth trends require 32% with
bachelor or higher degrees!
0%
Source: ViTAL Economy Research
— 21 —
10%
20%
30%
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Current Programs Limit Growth
5.03 Knowledge Infrastructure: Assessment
UniversityCommunity
Linkage
Supportive
National
Policies
Initial
Government
Funding
Internet
Technical
Assistance
Technical
Infrastructure
International
Business
Linkages
Market
Opportunities
Business Development Process
Business
Creation
Idea/Need
Employment
SI Linkages to
National and
International
Support
Resources
?
Limited
Growth
Local
Consultants
Rigorous
Business
Strategy
Development
Manager
Training
Champion
Sponsors
Board
Source: Adapted from Lalkaka, R. (1996)
Tenant
Finance
Entrepreneurial
Selection &
Graduation
Professional
Services
Network
— 22 —
SI Support
Linkages for
Entrepreneurship
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
SI Utilization of Knowledge Needs Improvement
5.03 Knowledge Infrastructure: Assessment
Technology Transfer Assessment Criteria
Rating
A strong and focused research base feeds the pipeline for commercialization
Federal R&D funding provides a critical base for technology transfer and
commercialization efforts
Champions catalyze most successful R&D-based economic development
The entrepreneurial culture of a region is key to its technology transfer success
Networking is an integral part of the culture
Early-stage capital is a critical ingredient in launching regional start-ups
Innovation centers provide a focal point for technology-based activities
Incubators and research parks are important in areas not known for technology
Private corporations and foundations play a major role
Focused long-term vision, investment, leadership and commitment are in place
= Weak to None
= Improving
= Average
— 23 —
= Good
= Strong
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
SI Knowledge Infrastructure Assessment
5.03 Knowledge Infrastructure: Assessment
Readiness Criteria
Rating
Assessment Rationale

K-infinity educational infrastructure assets are robust

Significant R&D centers of excellence are available

Knowledge is not being created at level required for
workforce
Create Knowledge - via R&D
programs that support innovation

R&D program investments are not promoting innovation
Sharing Knowledge - via programs
that increase collaboration

Inadequate linkage of knowledge sharing resources
Using Knowledge - improve
prospects for commercialization

Commercialization processes are very weak
Using Knowledge - develop
emerging and existing clusters

Cluster development is currently non-existent
Using Knowledge - increase
investment capital for R&D

Investment capital has been very limited in region

International linkages have potential, but are not being
leveraged
Knowledge Infrastructure - SI
presence of knowledge assets
Create Knowledge - build, retain
and/or acquiring skills
Using Knowledge - facilitate
international R&D linkages
— 24 —
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
SIUC Asset: Foreign Students
5.03 Knowledge Infrastructure: Assessment
SIUC Top 20 Student Country of Origin
Other Than U.S.
Country
#
Country
#
SIUC
Student Country of Origin
(2006)
India
346
Malaysia
14
• 21,003 total students
China
160
Pakistan
14
• 1,149 from 110 countries
Japan
141
Turkey
13
• 5.5% of student body
South Korea
96
Bangladesh
12
• National average 3.9%
Taiwan
71
Jordan
12
Thailand
27
Nigeria
12
Cyprus
24
Brazil
11
Canada
23
France
11
Nepal
16
Kenya
11
Saudi Arabia
15
Columbia
10
Germany
14
Morocco
10
Source: SIUC
— 25 —
SIUC top three foreign
students country of origin
are in the top five Illinois
trading partners
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Southern Illinois — "Garden of the Gods"
“Location, location, location” is a historic axiom of economic development. Every community
possesses distinct geographic, natural and proximity advantages. This Section will briefly review
the location of advantages, which SI should leverage in relationship to trends, opportunities and
assets described in Chapters 1-4.
Chapter 5:
Southern Illinois Competitiveness
5.04 Location Advantages
— 26 —
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
SI Location Advantages: Intro
5.04 Location Advantages

Southern Illinois:

Heartland location equidistant to 2/3 of U.S. markets

Central to economic expansion of the Americas

Positioned to be an easily accessible workforce development center for
addressing 10 million worker global talent shortage

Well positioned geographically and asset-rich to attract affluent seniors —
77 million baby boomers retiring

Within a four hour drive time of 11+ million regional tourists

Now the center of a rail network stretching to the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of
Mexico — from regional to all of North America

Within a day’s drive to many of the fifty fastest growing U.S. cities

Access to major rivers and recreational lakes
SI sits on the ultimate U.S. logistics sweet-spot,
the intersection of major N-S and E-W trade routes
— 27 —
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
SI Competitive Advantage: Location (1 of 2)
5.04 Location Advantages
Grey Area Shows 4-hour
driving time from Marion

Population within 4-hour drive:
11,303,789

Most vacations are now
short — proximity and ease
of access are key
Major nearby hubs include:





Marion

Indianapolis, IN
St. Louis, MO
Memphis, TN
Louisville, KY
Nashville, TN
SI has airport assets that
facilitate Southern Illinois
becoming a tourism
destination
How will SI leverage
this competitive
advantage?
= Potential Gateway
to Southern Illinois
Source: Map Point and Federal Aviation Administration
— 28 —
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
SI Competitive Advantage: Location (2 of 2)
5.04 Location Advantages
SI Relationship to Nearby
50 Fastest Growing U.S. Cities



How will SI leverage
this competitive
advantage?
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and Map Point
Note: Map shows calculated 8 hour driving time from SI
0.9% U.S. population
growth in 2006
California, Texas,
Florida contained most
of the fastest growing
centers in the U.S.
Several centers within
a day’s drive of SI are
included in 50 fastestgrowing centers for
2000-2006 at growth
rates of 12% to 98%
(see Red Stars)
— 29 —
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
5.04 Location Advantages




SI’s Temperate Climate is an
SI Competitive Advantage
Greater Egypt:

Avg winter temp 32°F

Avg summer temp 76°F
USDA
Zone
Average
Annual
Minimum
Temperate
Greater Wabash:

Avg winter temp 35°F
Zone 4a
-25 to -30

Avg summer temp 82°F
Zone 4b
-20 to -25
Zone 5a
-15 to -20
Zone 5b
-10 to -15
Zone 6a
-5 to -10
Zone 6b
0 to -5
Zone 7a
5 to 0
Zone 7b
10 to 5
Southeastern:

Avg winter temp 32°F

Avg summer temp 75°F
Southern Five:

Avg winter temp 35°F

Avg summer temp 78°F
SI has both an attractive climate for
retirees & long-growing season
Source: www.growit.com
— 30 —
How will SI leverage this
competitive advantage?
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Average Annual Precipitation
5.04 Location Advantages




Greater Egypt:

Avg rainfall = 42 inches

Avg snowfall = 12 inches
Greater Wabash:

Avg rainfall = 28 inches

Avg snowfall = 9 inches
Southeastern:

Avg rainfall = 42 inches

Avg snowfall = 13 inches
Southern Five:

Avg rainfall = 45 inches

Avg snowfall = 11 inches
Source: DCEO
How will SI leverage this
competitive advantage?
— 31 —
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
Southern Illinois — "Garden of the Gods"
Chapter 5:
Southern Illinois’ Competitiveness
5.05 Implications & Recommendations
— 32 —
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
SI Competitiveness: VE Assessment
5.05 Implications & Recommendations
Global Market Readiness
Climate for Investment Attraction
Workforce
Knowledge Infrastructure
Sharing and Utilization of Knowledge Assets
Location Advantages
Connectivity Literacy (see Chp 3, Slides 34-48)
The lack of Global Market Readiness is holding back the Region from leveraging its
Knowledge Infrastructure and Location Advantages to build a high growth economy
— 33 —
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
SI Competitiveness: Implications
5.05 Implications & Recommendations

Limited Global Market Participation




Solid and Improving Workforce





SI has a broad array of knowledge assets, but needs to better align towards a common strategic direction
Education Center of Excellence could coalesce regional KBE resources to pursue global workforce
opportunity
Strong Location Advantages



SI’s 66.5% labor participation rate challenges the Region’s growth opportunities
The incumbent workforce has a strong work ethic and desire to stay in SI
SI’s workforce development assets are positioned to help address the projected U.S.10 million worker
shortfall
Robust Knowledge Infrastructure


$1 billion export gap: 2.4% of SI GRP vs. 8.4% of the Illinois GSP participates in the global economy
Global market niches exist in energy technologies, bio-ag, international innovation & incubation, logistics, etc.
State level international trade expertise needs to be better leveraged
SI is in a geographic “Sweet Spot” to take advantage of major trends
SI’s location advantage benefits Tourism, Energy, and Transportation, Logistics & Warehousing sectors
Improving Connectivity Literacy


SI has begun to transform its connectivity infrastructure, but has low connectivity awareness and literacy
Link NP-COI with all industry clusters to identify applications that increase competitiveness and market-share
Only a Unified Region can leverage SI’s potential critical mass
in becoming a formidable force on the Global Stage
GRP = Gross Regional Product; GSP = Gross State Product
— 34 —
©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.
SI Competitiveness: Recommendations
5.05 Implications & Recommendations

Focus on economic growth opportunities that leverage its regional strengths
and de-emphasize state weaknesses as shown by Illinois poor rankings in
multiple competitiveness reports

Develop a specific global export strategy that focuses on closing the $1 billion
trade gap versus Illinois trade levels

Develop education center of excellence connecting knowledge infrastructure
assets to enable SI to address part of the ten million global worker talent
crunch

Develop an industry-led transportation, logistics & distribution industry cluster
to leverage SI location advantages

Develop an industry-led tourism cluster that will connect SI tourism assets to
take advantage of SI’s unique market location

Implement regional marketing strategies to improve connectivity literacy
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©2007 ViTAL Economy, Inc.