This page contains the latest Regional Economic Development Strategy (REDS) program updates. Last updated April 18, 2021.
General
Developing the final REDS 1.0 strategy report, to be released in May 2021
Released a public announcement on REDS progress and a set of regional economic development collaboration goals and guiding principles approved by the Steering Committee
Concluded Research & Discovery (Phase 1) and Alternatives Analysis (Phase 2), the latter focusing on potential collaboration models, joint regional programs, and a regional economic mobility and social equity mapping and evaluation function
Presented REDS progress to the COG Region Forward Coalition (see the presentation materials here)
Unveiled the new REDS web page!
Steering Committee
Held 5th Steering Committee meeting on April 5
Read-out of regional economic development leader interviews
Reviewed REDS 1.0 strategy report progress and recommendations for development of an enduring collaboration model, regional programs (joint economic development actions around regional branding, marketing, and talent development), and an economic mobility and social equity mapping and index function as a regional planning and evaluation tool
Discussed potential for coordinated regional pursuit of Federal funds
Discussed transition to REDS 2.0 (May - December 2021)
Working Group
Held 7th Working Group meeting on April 19 to review draft of REDS 1.0 strategy report
Continued meeting one-on-one with REDS Steering Committee members to develop recommendations
Completed analysis of interviews with regional economic development leaders
Completed 31-page Research & Discovery Phase interim report and 6-page executive summary, divided into the following sections:
Regional Collaboration Models
Regional Economic Development Initiatives
DMV Community Leader Outreach
Regional Economic Development Competitiveness Assessment
Historic Efforts & Current Regional Capacities