Ottawa-Carleton Region Economic Generators Initiative:
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Challenge
The Ottawa Partnership, a public-private leadership group
in the Ottawa-Carleton region, commissioned
ICF International to develop and implement a regional economic
strategy initiative entitled the Economic Generators Initiative.
Ottawa was also going through political transition as the
region underwent amalgamation of separate municipalities into
one metropolitan area. The goal of the project was to develop
a strategy for merging multiple cities in a region into one
economic unit.
Solution
This project used the four-stage collaborative strategy process
developed by ICF International. Six industry cluster groups were
found though analysis to be driving (or to have the potential
to grow and drive the economy): microelectronics, photonics,
information technology, health technology, tourism, and professional
services. Preparing for amalgamation, we used this process
to help Ottawa build unity and consensus among economic development
managers of the different municipalities. We have been recently
rehired by Ottawa to update its past analysis, provide new
strategic and policy directions, and provide a methodology
for tracking progress in the region.
Benefit
ICF International began by establishing six cluster groups.
We identified the emerging photonics cluster and helped design
a strategy to nurture its growth. The project also developed
an integrated strategy for action, an evaluation of new directions
for regional economic development organizations, and a focused
set of action initiatives. Two years after completion of the
four-phase collaborative strategy process, the photonics seed
cluster we discovered has become an important industry in
Ottawa. To support the cross-cutting "flagship"
initiative called "New Skills for Ottawa," ICF International
developed recommendations for an education and training portal,
designed to provide information to potential employees and
students, and developed customized re-skilling programs and
a "CEO-Education Compact," a high-level communications
forum linking CEOs and senior officials of the region's universities
and colleges. ICF International also supported a "Global
Learning Center" initiative to develop advanced electronic
training delivery mechanisms. In 2002, ICF International was
invited back to the Ottawa region to update the cluster analysis
and assist Ottawa with strategic policy directions.
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