Madison is progressive and pro-business
 We have worked steadily to create a strong business climate and improve the level of customer service that is offered by City government. This process started in 2004 with my “Healthy City” economic development vision. Working closely with our private and public sector partners, we have accomplished much of what we set out to do in that plan.
We followed up the Healthy City blueprint with a report later that year from the Economic Development Commission on ways to improve the City’s business climate. We have been hard at work putting many of those recommendations in place, such as creation of a one-stop shop to make it easier for developers and others to do business with the City.
Now, we are just completing our first new City economic development plan in 25 years. That plan tells us that we’re doing a lot of things right. We’re rewriting our zoning code, hiring a new economic development director, focusing our TIF policy on job creation, and much more.
But in addition to following through on what we’ve already promised, we need to take new initiatives. For example, if our budget allows, next year I plan to create new project management positions to help shepherd through important projects like the East Rail Corridor and the new University Research Park.
Metro Transit is a vital part of our workforce transportation system. To plan for its long-term future success, I named a special committee comprised of business leaders, transit advocates and others. This group will make recommendations in the areas of financial stability, ridership enhancements, marketing, cost management, and service improvements. And we need to form a Regional Transit Authority (RTA) to give us the regional vision and the resources we need to improve mass transit and roads.
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