Mayor Dave Cieslewicz held an economic development summit Tuesday morning, presenting his plan to make Madison more economically healthy and prepared for growth. He presented his 110-point plan to more than 300 community and business leaders at Monona Terrace.
The mayor highlighted five specific areas in which he believes Madison is uniquely positioned to grow, including biomedical and health care, bio-science and agriculture, local food production, arts, and Madison as a convening center for locals and tourists.
His plan also addresses neighborhood planning, park building and public transportation.
Mayoral spokesperson Melanie Conklin said this plan is necessary because Madison's economy is changing.
\When you look at the way the economy is, it is a new era,"" Conklin said. ""We have less public sector involvement than we once did. The state government is eliminating jobs and the university is losing funding and those have really been the pillars of Madison's economy for a long time.""
Ald. Zack Brandon, District 7, also said the mayor's work forming a comprehensive plan and framework for the future is necessary specifically because Madison's success has for a long time been a lucky break.
""We have been rudderless in an economic boat,"" Brandon said. ""We have floated our way to success. We had no real engine to drive it and no real rudder to steer us.""
However, some are concerned about what changes might mean for Madison.
Sandy Torkildson, president of the Greater State Street Business Association, said problems could occur on the path to economic growth and that the real challenge will be maintaining Madison's original qualities.
""It's kind of a catch-22,"" Torkildson said. ""You can attract [high-tech companies] but then it raises cost of living and ads to congestion making Madison less attractive at a certain point.""
Brandon said the plan will not harm small business because the mayor addresses industries in his plan, not national chains. He said he believes Madison has an anti-business outlook and must see business' role in the founding and future of the city.
""If we recognize that business is an important leg of that three- legged stool, with one being the state and the other being the university,"" Brandon said, ""then we will have the attitude towards businesses that they are part of the solution, not part of the problem.\
