Seattle Learning: Data Will Set You Free
Posted byChris Thompson - 11.15.2011
A group of Advance Northeast Ohio partners in Seattle to learn how this region organizes itself to strengthen its economy heard repeatedly the following maxim: "Data will set you free." The message behind the maxim is that regions need to have a very clear understanding of their economies -- its strengths and weaknesses -- to make difficult decisions regarding transit, land use, talent development and other issues.
Good economic data can help cut through biases, parochialism and fear that often get in the way of a region's ability to think, plan and act regionally.
One reason the Puget Sound Region has embraced data is the state of Washington requires it. The state has placed strict requirements on how communities grow and how they invest their transit dollars. Those restrictions force individual communities to plan together regionally. And data helps the communities sort through conflicting interests to reach consensus. Leaders here acknowledge that developing consensus can take a lot of time, and a lot of work. But the hard work pays off for both the region and local communities.
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