Confluence of States’ Post

Bend is one of the most desirable places to live in America, but the high cost of housing has made it challenging for employers to fill vacancies. 81% of regional employers said that the high cost of housing impacted their ability to fill open positions. Rooted at Poplar was a pilot program Bend Chamber supported by investing in four of the seven homes. Preference was given to employees of local employer partners. These partners supported their employees by signing up as partners. If their employee was selected, partners paid a small downpayment on behalf of their selected employees of $2500. Rooted at Poplar is proof of concept that employers can help make a difference in getting their employees into stable and affordable homes. Now, we are ready to roll up our sleeves again and go bigger. We're looking for business partners interested in investing in employer-sponsored housing. The investment can be made financially, through land, or by agreeing to pre-lease a certain amount of units. If you are interested in learning more, please contact us through the form on our website. https://zurl.co/Ze11

Great question from ⚡️John Connor⚡️ to Business for a Better Portland that I would love others to chime in on "What does downtown #Portland need to make Fridays work for small businesses?" (my thoughts) 1. Renewed Value Proposition; part of Downtowns success pre-covid was that the surrounding suburbs weren't places people wanted to hang and work. Now with new investments in housing and mixed-use projects (Vancouver waterfront, Downtown Beaverton, Lake Oswego) combined with remote working strategies (which are often better for businesses & employees) people have good reason to not come downtown so we need imagine where the Central City can fit in this new world to be a place where people want to come to work, play & eat. 2. Transit; commute times in the region by car are worse now than they were before the pandemic. No one likes sitting in traffic so lets make it cheaper, safer and faster to come Downtown. We should learn from what Boston is doing in making public transit free or reduced for residents. Can we at least bring back "Fairless Square" as a way to get more people & fewer cars to come downtown? 3. Stories; most of the people that I come into contact with that have negative things to say about Downtown don't spend time Downtown so their perspective on the area comes from wacky Tiktokers, national outlets or with our most recent sad example, our own elected officials seeking political gain by fabricating events to pander to their audience;( Let's get out front and talk about the good things that are already happening (West End Wednesdays, PDX hosted the largest coffee conference in the world in 2023, Portland businesses won more James Beard Awards than any other city in 2023 etc.) With all thats happened over the last decade Portland lost its civic commons and our shared ability agree/disgree/imagine/create/mourn in ways that bring us together. Wieden + Kennedy had some great ideas in 2016 on how our community could leverage technology to have city dialogs about what's working (or not) AND what's being done about it by public sector. It went beyond #WeBelieveInPortland to "Here's what people are doing about it". Lastly, while we all hope for a "silver bullet", the right political candidates or the big catalytic project to push us to the other side of where we are today, we are actually prolonging how meaningful change will (and always has) come. Grains of sand at a time, its the culmination of our individual efforts and events that actually changes what tomorrow will look like in Portland. Portlanders spend $7.2M every day on food, this isn't tourists, people here for a convention or staff at the Amazon HQ thats never going to open here....it's us. Imagine if we decided we were going to spend that money every Friday Downtown. If we aren't doing the small individual things we have control of then I am not quite sure we should get to complain about the politician we don't agree with or the project that wasn't built in our part of town.

I'm delighted to be leading the 2nd phase of the public engagement at Greve de Lecq for National Trust for Jersey. The site was bought by the States of Jersey and gifted to the National Trust for Jersey, with the aim of delivering environmental, cultural, and social benefits for the public. To do this, decisions made regarding the future of the site will be based on understanding the needs of the Jersey community. There is often a misconception that public engagement slows things down, costs more money and achieves nothing. However, asking the right questions of the right stakeholders and creating a proper commission brief based on the problems and aspirations of those on the ground is the secret to delivering the best outcome. This is the same whether the brief is to architects, landscapers, planners, designers or artists - without this data, you’re just guessing. Phase 2 involves a series of workshops, discussions and interviews across the island. This qualitative data will be analysed alongside insight from the public survey taken by over 2,600 of the population. The first event is 'Beachworks' - a 2 day, free, drop in clay workshop at the Beachside Cafe site at Grève de Lecq. The workshop will be led by artist Jo Pearl and the Jersey potters. EVERYONE is invited, to imagine, discuss and co-make a giant 3D vision for the future of the site. There are lots of opportunities to get involved for individuals and business. DM if you're interested. Friday 26th July 2-5pm  Saturday 27th July 10am-3pm Beach Café, Grève de Lecq, St Mary

Here are the top 7 reasons people are moving to Jacksonville and Northeast Florida: 1. **Affordable Cost of Living**: Compared to other major cities in Florida, like Miami or Orlando, Jacksonville offers a more affordable lifestyle. Housing prices and overall expenses tend to be lower, attracting people from more expensive markets. 2. **Booming Job Market**: Jacksonville's economy is diverse, with opportunities in industries like healthcare, finance, logistics, and technology. Large companies and startups are drawn to the area, creating a favorable environment for job seekers. 3. **No State Income Tax**: Like all of Florida, Jacksonville benefits from no state income tax, which is a major draw for people seeking to maximize their earnings and savings. 4. **Beautiful Weather and Outdoor Activities**: Northeast Florida offers year-round sunshine and mild winters, making it perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. From beaches to golf courses and nature trails, the region offers endless options for those who love the outdoors. 5. **Growing Cultural Scene**: Jacksonville has a thriving cultural scene, with art galleries, music festivals, museums, and theaters. The Riverside Arts Market and events like the Jacksonville Jazz Festival attract creative talent and tourists alike. 6. **Top-Notch Healthcare**: Jacksonville is home to renowned healthcare facilities, including the Mayo Clinic, which draws patients and healthcare professionals from around the world. 7. **Proximity to Beaches and Nature**: With easy access to the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Johns River, and nearby parks like the Timucuan Ecological Preserve, Jacksonville offers plenty of options for water sports, fishing, hiking, and enjoying the natural beauty of the region. These factors combined make Jacksonville an increasingly popular destination for people seeking both career opportunities and a high quality of life.

Next Tuesday marks the start of Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, and with the recent approval of the City's FY 2025 budget, I’m proud of the significant strides we’ve made for our City of Buda, TX employees. 1. For the first time in several years, we went to market for benefits and successfully secured a 5.5% reduction in overall medical premiums.   2. We implemented market adjustments for most employees, informed by a comprehensive compensation study. 3. We developed and launched a new pay structure that more accurately aligns pay grades with city positions. 4. An additional cost of living adjustment (COLA) was introduced to ensure our market adjustments and new pay structure remain competitive. 5. We added 5.5 new positions to bolster support in Parks, Public Works, Development Services, and Finance. 6. An upcoming citywide professional development day is in the works —details to follow soon! I’m excited about the future of the City of Buda as we continue to grow and thrive as both an organization and a community. Micah Grau, ICMA-CM Jennifer Quinzi, MBA Kristen Ramos

These are some of the highlights from the moring session at the Governors Conference in Knoxville These facts go with hand in hand in any community There are some critical factors impacting workforce development were discussed: housing, quality of life, and recreation. Housing plays a key role, as affordable housing is essential for attracting and retaining workers. Without it, labor shortages can arise, especially in areas with high housing costs. Quality of life factors, such as access to healthcare, safety, education, and work-life balance, were highlighted as vital to worker satisfaction and long-term retention. Recreation is also important, with local amenities and community engagement improving mental health, work-life satisfaction, and attracting new talent to the area. These interconnected factors are crucial in building and maintaining a strong workforce.

So the EXPLORE Act. When I interned in DC as a college student (I also attended a campaign training conference as my fun event before I started by first job), my job was to read every bill that was proposed in the House and Senate. Many of these were ceremonial, like renaming a post office. It was super boring and interesting at the same time, likely because it didn’t feel like most of this really mattered. As I’ve built and become increasingly focused and connected to the outdoor industry, the EXPLORE Act comes at a time when I have said the outdoors is the greatest public utility we as Americans have in common - especially at a time when division seems to be the first commonality. But it is hard to have a political argument at the top of a mountain. I won’t pretend to be an expert in this, but I am intrigued and curious to forecast how the #outdoorindustry might bridge the work the Act envisions be done.. Will it simply make outdoor recreation easier for the current users? Will it shine a greater spotlight on recreation as an option? One might say the government needs to solve other problems, but my intrigue is driven by the fact that I believe outdoor access is deeply connected with economic justice. Perhaps we don’t need to tell folks to study harder. Perhaps we need to simply let them run outside, and let the inspiration take hold, first. #kujucoffee #exploreact #opentheoutdoors

“If NYC and Boston and DC had a baby, then that’s what #Philadelphia feels like.” - A sentiment I shared with a friend yesterday during our 2-mile walk and tour through Center City. One of the most remarkable things that I noticed was the city’s walkability, bikeability, and the presence of visually impaired people walking through the city. This sort of accessibility means that more people can commute to work, find and secure employment, and contribute to their individual households and the greater parts of society. And I don’t think that Houston could ever be that because the city is not built for it. And I’m not certain that this is even a priority for the city council. Admittedly, I’m not close to any initiatives… but I do know that Inasmuch, as I love Houston, one of the big drawbacks and failures, is its sustainability as a walk-friendly or bikeable city - which is unfortunate as we hear about more plans to use space under bridges and pathways, probably for more recreational spaces. However, I challenge you to consider the benefits of improving sidewalks and safety, especially as companies consider different metropolitan areas to move their corporate headquarters. Case and Point: When corporations consider new places to relocate to, yes, the tax breaks and incentives matter, but companies also must figure out how to attract employees to the city as well. (This is why it’s hard to recruit for the Piedmont area of the Carolinas.) And while a fair amount of people work remotely, there are still plenty of companies that require on-site or regional visitation, so as an employee considers the quality of life as a moving metric, Houston takes a hit when you consider that the city infrastructure, road, pipes and ability to maintain safe and functional utilities for all questionable is at best. Companies require stability for economic growth, and I would really hate to see Houston miss out on their opportunity to attract new companies. As a case study, consider Amazon’s decision not to go with Long Island City, New York, due to varying logistic situations. Or the 20-year gap and difference in economic growth and viability between Greenville, SC, and Spartanburg, SC. And while Houston’s new mayor and administration try to get their feet under them, I do hope that they are considering the elements that a family seeks in a city for relocation: that being, arts and entertainment, parks and recreation, cost of living, proximity to good schools, safe communities and #healthcare. Time will only tell, but I hope that somewhere in the playbook, this becomes a thing because today’s sidewalks, roads, shoulders, pipes, sewage, drainage, and electricity are all in disrepair. And from an economic standpoint, #Houston could lose out on some key, multinational organizations relocations if they don’t turn this around. And I get it. Change takes time, and the backlog of projects is 30,000 miles high. But planning time is now. ✅

Mike with the deep dive. 🫡 - Lubbock population growth: 51.3% form 2023-2060 - Lubbock MSA: 57.4% annual GDP last 10 years - Lubbock exports 670M (agricultural) high of last 6 years (expansion phase) - Diverse economy - 10 different sectors averaging over 5% growth since 2020 - 20,000 new jobs coming by 2033. Pretty big for a tertiary city. Food company alone bringing 8k jobs, semiconductor company bring 2k jobs, and projected median household income outpacing the US - Job Growth for Lubbock 5.4% increase and labor force 6.0%. Compare that vs US average of 1.7% job growth and 1.8% labor force in same span. 2020-2024 Just a few of the KPI’s indicating Lubbock is in the expansion phase. DM more if looking to learn more!

I am going to start doing city spotlights each week to highlight various cities around the country that I like for investment purposes. I’ll start in Texas with Lubbock! If anyone has cities they are curious about let me know and I will post it. 😎 Lubbock, Texas may be the 11th largest city in the state, but it still maintains that small-town feel. With a county-wide population of over 314,000 and an estimated annual economic growth rate of 7%, Lubbock is truly a booming community. In fact, Lubbock's job growth is increasing at an impressive 2.4% year over year, surpassing the national average. With an unemployment rate just over 3% and a 10-year job growth projection of over 39%, Lubbock is a city on the move. What's more, Lubbock's affordability makes it an even more attractive place to live. The cost of living is roughly 10% lower than the national average, and housing is especially affordable. The city also boasts utility costs that are 10% lower than elsewhere in the nation, with an average rent of about $1,100. Lubbock's quality of life is second to none. The healthcare sector is growing, with over 17,500 medical professionals and administrators employed in the area. Additionally, the city's comprehensive public transit system provides residents with easy access to everything Lubbock has to offer. From educational opportunities to a wide variety of career positions, Lubbock has it all. And when it's time to relax, residents can enjoy a broad range of activities. Lubbock is a vibrant city with a small-town feel and a strong sense of community.