DIY: Municipal Economic Development Strategy, City of St. John’s, NL

Abstract

There are myriad toolkits, frameworks, and guidelines available for designing an economic development strategy.  The experience of the City of St. John’s in taking a “do it yourself” approach to creating a strategic economic Roadmap offers valuable insights about process, alignment, context, and content.  A national research project may have been the catalyst to a tri-level government discussion; however, commitment of staff and volunteers, their dedication of time, expertise and ownership to the process was fundamental to developing the economic development strategy and ultimately delivering on projects, programs, and services.   This article will provide an overview of the process, findings, and insights in developing the Economic Roadmap 2021 and offer some reflections on refreshing the plan several years later.

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“Roadmap 2021 was developed in partnership with key stakeholders and in consultation with the community. The City [of St. John’s] took a hands-on approach – leading the effort but drawing heavily upon the wealth of knowledge and expertise from partners. Roadmap 2021: Strategic Economic Development Plan, St. John's