March 21, 2013
The Civic Federation and Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago are pleased to announce that Tom Tait, Mayor of the City of Anaheim, California, will be speaking at our April 4th conference, “Managing Economic Development in Times of Economic Uncertainty.”
As the Mayor and a former City Council member of Anaheim, Mayor Tait has a unique perspective on the interaction between localities and states on economic development issues and on how to maximize the success of economic development programs during times of fiscal distress. He will also share insights into his Regulatory Relief Task Force and other ways he has worked to make Anaheim more business-friendly.
Mayor Tait will join Mitch Bean of Great Lakes Economic Consulting and former Director of Michigan House Fiscal Agency on the conference’s first panel, “Fiscal Distress and Economic Development.” The Michigan House Fiscal Agency provides nonpartisan assistance to members of the House on fiscal matters. Civic Federation Board member Alicia Berg, Vice President of Campus Environment for Columbia College Chicago and former Commissioner at the Chicago Department of Planning and Development, will moderate the discussion.
The second panel of the day, “Business Location Decision-Making” will feature commentary by four experts in economic development issues. Civic Federation Board member Jon DeVries of the Marshall Bennett Institute of Real Estate at Roosevelt University will provide a look a regional issues affecting economic development. Board member Stephen Friedman of S.B. Friedman Development Advisors will give a behind-the-scenes look at the business location deal-making process. Ivan Baker, the Director of Economic Development for the Village of Tinley Park, Illinois, will speak about what municipalities must do on a day-to-day basis to promote growth and retain businesses. Professor Rachel Weber of the University of Illinois at Chicago and author of a forthcoming book, Why We Overbuild, will moderate the panel. Click here to download a print-friendly agenda for the entire event.
If you are interested in attending the half-day conference, which includes a luncheon featuring a keynote address by Steve Koch, Deputy Mayor of the City of Chicago, be sure to make your reservation soon. Space is limited and the conference is expected to sell out. Conference registration is $50. Click here to register online or email Jennifer Reinhardt for more information.