Media Contacts:
Melinda Pierson, Institute for Emerging Issues, 919/515-7741
Benny Benton, News Services, 919/515-3470

Jan. 30, 2004

Pennsylvania Governor Keynotes Emerging Issues Forum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pennsylvania Governor and former Philadelphia Mayor Edward Rendell will kick off a daylong discussion of regional approaches to economic revitalization at the 2004 Emerging Issues Forum with a keynote address on Tuesday, Feb. 10.

Pa. Gov. Edward Rendell

The annual forum is being held Feb. 9-10 in the McKimmon Center on the campus of North Carolina State University.

Once dubbed “America’s Mayor” by Al Gore, in Philadelphia Rendell oversaw what The New York Times called “the most stunning turnaround in recent urban history.” During his tenure, he eliminated a $250 million deficit; balanced the city's budget and generated five consecutive budget surpluses; reduced business and wage taxes for four consecutive years; implemented new revenue-generating initiatives; dramatically improved services to the city's neighborhoods; and revitalized the downtown.

As governor, Rendell now faces a raft of challenges that are similar to those confronting North Carolina, including a long-standing dependence on traditional manufacturing. Under Rendell’s leadership, Pennsylvania is now working to reinvent its old industries and stimulate new ones. To do this, the state must overcome entrenched ways of thinking and disputes among multiple departments of government and among the regions of the state.

At the forum, Rendell will describe his strategies for Pennsylvania and discuss statewide and regional solutions in his “Plan for a New Pennsylvania”, which makes the largest new investment in public schools ever. If passed, his economic-stimulus package will invest $2 billion in private investment for economic development projects across the state. Governor Rendell also proposes to help businesses fund the research and development of new projects by increasing
research and development tax credits and allowing them to sell unused credits to generate cash to sustain growth.

Also appearing at the forum to discuss regional solutions to economic revitalization will be Rebecca Anderson, executive director of HandMade in America, which has helped communities develop thriving economies through the harnessing of existing assets, such as the crafts industry; Mac Holladay, an economic development consultant who has helped communities across the southeast improve their economic health; and Mario Rubert, a developer for the city of Barcelona, Spain, who has helped that city carve a unique niche in the global economy by thinking beyond city boundaries.

The 19th annual Emerging Issues Forum will focus on successful responses to the challenges created by today’s more open world markets, highlighting four distinct areas: global trade; the merging of new and old industries; regional solutions to economic dislocation; and reducing inequality.

The forum is a program of the Institute for Emerging Issues and was started in 1985 by former Gov. Jim Hunt. The state’s premier public policy conference, the forum annually attracts nearly 1,000 corporate chiefs, legislators, university presidents, journalists, scientists and educators from around North Carolina, the region and the nation.

The cost of the conference is $150 if registering by Jan. 31 and $200 beginning Feb. 1. To register or for additional information, visit the forum’s Web site or contact the IEI office at 919/515-7741.

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