Progress Report: Wednesday,

 September 13, 2023

Invitation: Connecting our region // Revitalizing our core

GBC will host three major events this Fall in support of our multi year agenda. Today, we announce the first: Connecting our Region // Revitalizing our Core: Transportation & Economic Opportunity Summit which will take place on Monday, October 16th.

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This event is for our partners, members, and regional business and civic stakeholders to gain a deeper understanding of the future investments in transit and the transformative development projects that will revitalize our region’s core. Visit our event page for confirmed speakers and projects that will be highlighted, with additional announcements coming soon.

Kicking off our 10-Year Regional Economic Opportunity Plan

Last week, more than 150 of GBC’s partners participated in listening sessions with TIP Strategies, the consultant helping us to develop the plan. Participants provided meaningful insight on the region’s existing assets, opportunities, and challenges, as well as fresh perspectives on how to grow our economy.

This is just a start. We’ll use this input to finalize the steering committee for the plan and create working groups on key topics to inform and shape it. TIP’s president Tracye McDaniel will speak at our upcoming Oct. 16th Summit and host a session with GBC partners during her visit.

Philly, Atlanta, Charlotte, and Baltimore 

Pew Charitable Trust invited me to join CEOs of the Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) and The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance in a meeting with The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia and its economic partners. In the last decade, all three organizations launched transformational efforts similar to what inspired GBC's merger with the Economic Alliance.

Highlights from the meeting include:

ATL: Atlanta’s slow recovery following the Great Recession inspired a number of changes in the region’s economic and civic community. The Metro Atlanta Chamber (MAC) dropped “of commerce” from its name, finetuning its focus to build the future of the 29 county region. The multi-year initiative campaign Forward Atlanta raises millions to support MAC’s business investment and policy work, talent attraction (Choose ATL), ATL Action for Racial Equity, Atlanta Sports Council, and election-year platform via the Committee for a Better Atlanta. 

CLT: The Charlotte Regional Business Alliance was formed in 2018 through the merger of the Chamber and the Charlotte Regional Partnership, with a focus on growing the regional economy, attracting domestic and foreign direct investment (SelectCLT), and through its foundation, supporting entrepreneurs.

PHI: The Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia recently reorganized and realigned its overall work to accelerate inclusive and equitable economic development, hiring a new leader and partnering with Pew to develop its long-term strategic plan. The Chamber invests heavily in the creative sector, provides leadership on economic competitiveness strategies (CEO Council for Growth), and markets the region for investment through Select Greater Philadelphia.

Recent Media Coverage 

• Washington Business Journal: How leaders from Baltimore to Richmond aim to reshape the area’s transportation system to achieve equitable growth
• The Daily Record: Wes Moore talks about Red Line and taxes, filling vacancies, and Orioles lease
• WMAR2 News: Greater Baltimore Committee developing new plan to deal with vacant homes
• The New York Times: A Hidden Reason Cities Fall Apart
• Drug Discovery & Development: 9 Rising Stars of North American Biotech: Cities Emerging as Life Sciences Hubs

Mark Anthony Thomas

Thank you!