Greater Philadelphia First Unveils Region's New Comprehensive Plan To Create a 'First-Class Knowledge-Driven Economy' 2/14/2002
From: Karen J. Hanson for Greater Philadelphia First, 215-575-2200; Web: http://www.gpf.biz PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 13 -- Greater Philadelphia First, the premier business and civic leadership organization in the area, has taken a hard look at America's "smartest" and most successful regions and is launching a new initiative to aggressively compete against the leaders by creating a first-class knowledge-driven economy in Greater Philadelphia. Motivated by the need to grow and retain new businesses -- as well as retain top collegiate talent -- and inspired by its mission to provide leadership in transforming Greater Philadelphia into one of the nation's leading knowledge centers, GPF studied eight model regions that have created a high and rising standard of living for their citizens by nurturing and supporting knowledge and technology-based development. Simultaneously, it took a critical look at its own region's assets and liabilities as an existing knowledge player. Based on its one-year study that included more than 135 interviews with the best and brightest in the public and private sectors, GPF concluded that to jump-start the region's quest to establish an integrated knowledge economy it must immediately begin to achieve six critical milestones, known as Six for Success: -- Attract more research dollars and expertise -- Implement strategies to accelerate science and technology commercialization -- Promote an entrepreneurial climate -- Launch a business marketing campaign -- Leverage quality-of-life infrastructure and amenities -- Streamline & rationalize business-oriented nonprofits Sam Katz, GPF's CEO, says the focus now shifts from planning to an action agenda -- including a $10 million-plus marketing strategic marketing campaign -- so the region can "realize its incredible potential to harness our natural knowledge resources and turn them into something truly special for the benefit of all involved." Daniel J. Whelan, President & CEO of Verizon Pennsylvania Inc. (NYSE, VZ) adds, "This strategy is based on solid benchmarking of best practices from competitor knowledge regions. It's now time to pull together, focus and execute." Jon A. Boscia, Chairman & CEO of Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE, LNC), knows how tough a sell the region can be from a distance. "Before we moved our headquarters here from Fort Wayne, Indiana, two years ago we were recruited by all the top knowledge regions, and Philadelphia wasn't among them. There's no question we've got the substance, but not the sizzle and this campaign has to and will be a blend of both." According to Frank Baldino, Jr., Ph.D., Chairman & CEO of Cephalon, Inc., (NASDQ, CEPH) "It's time to stop asking questions and start taking actions as a community and as a region. Philadelphia can and should be the world's leading region for life sciences. The GPF report provides a road map to get us there." GPF, the region's business and civic leadership organization, is an association of chief executives of Philadelphia area companies and non-profit organizations. Established in 1983, GPF is committed to boosting the economic competitiveness of Greater Philadelphia by promoting policies and actions that enhance the region's attractiveness to knowledge-based industries and their workers. More information about this initiative can be found at http://www.gpf.biz |