THE VALUE OF CONNECTIONS
APPENDIX 2: PROJECT TEAM
Appendix 2: Project Team Pennsylvania Economy League The Pennsylvania Economy League-Eastern Division is an independent, nonprofit public policy and economic development research organization. Founded in 1936, its mission is to provide critical information and support to the business, civic, and governmental leadership of Southeastern Pennsylvania in their efforts to promote better government and a more competitive region. PEL is supported by a network of Greater Philadelphia’s business community -- leaders in their industries and in their communities --who understand how sound public policies and an effective government support the region’s economic growth. On behalf of those private sector leaders, and working in partnership with civic organizations, local governments, and civic organizations throughout the region, PEL provides regional leaders with informed analysis of regional government and economic issues and a blueprint with which to move that analysis into action. Over the past few years, PEL staff and its working private sector task forces have carried out a number of economic development projects highly relevant to this project in both their substance and in the process managed by PEL staff: Ÿ
Economic Value of SEPTA to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Economy – PEL worked with Glen Weisbrod (while at Cambridge Systematics) and the DVRPC on an analysis of the economic value SEPTA provided to the Southeastern Pennsylvania economy. The study proved valuable in the development of a strategy for annual state support of public transit. Ÿ Greater Philadelphia’s Challenge: Capitalizing on Change in the Regional Health Care Economy -- PEL staff worked with a task force of private sector experts, and interviewed over 90 health care leaders in the process of completing this study of the region’s health care economy. This report has become the definitive report on the current state and future of Philadelphia’s health care sector. Ÿ Economic Impact of the Pennsylvania Convention Center – Over the past five years, PEL has worked with the Pennsylvania Convention Center to estimate the economic benefits provided to the state and the city as a result of the construction of the new convention center. Ÿ Regional Arts and Culture Economic Initiative – PEL, working with the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, its Arts&Business Council, Greater Philadelphia First, the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance, completed a project in 1998 which estimates the economic value of the region’s cultural assets. The project focused on three crucial topics: the economic impact of cultural activity in the region; the linkages between cultural and other economic assets; and the fiscal threats and opportunities facing the region’s cultural community. Working with a task force of 21 business and cultural leaders, PEL’s work helped outline an agenda for supporting and enhancing the role of the cultural community in the region’s economy. Ÿ Economic Impact of the Regional Performing Arts Center – PEL worked with RPAC to develop an economic impact analysis of the proposed performing arts center, helping to document its benefits to the City of Philadelphia. The report is being used in planning and fundraising efforts. Ÿ Regional Economic Development Benchmarking -- PEL has been heavily immersed in several comparative analysis of the region’s economy. Over the past three years, PEL has provided Greater Philadelphia First with two sets of benchmark analyses for the five economic clusters included in their economic development strategy process David Thornburgh is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Economy League – Eastern Division. He is responsible for all fundraising and business development, hiring and training professional policy research staff, developing project proposals, developing and carry out public relations and marketing plans, representing PEL
PENNSYLVANIA ECONOMY LEAGUE/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT RESEARCH GROUP
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