Just got the update from Greensboro City Manager Jim Westmoreland on Gboro’s Strong Cities Strong Communities (SC2) Challenge. This project has been evolving about as much as Obamacare.
Remember the original plan was a $1 million prize for the individual that produces a winning economic development idea. Now it appears only teams of two may compete for prizes ranging from $500k to $25k. The positive impact of the SC2 Challenge is the city “will acquire ownership of three (3) economic development proposals and six (6) economic development plans” as well as “permanent, non-exclusive license to any intellectual property contained in winning proposals and plans.”
However, it’s interesting that the memo also ponders the possibility that Gboro might pull out of the SC2 Challenge. Read the city’s explanation of the consequences below, but I’ll translate: the federal money spigot won’t flow as freely and a bureaucrat will lose his job.
lf the City were to Withdraw from the SC2 Initiative, several negative impacts are present. First, the City will lose its status as a “SC2 City.” As a SC2 City, Greensboro has preferred status in competing for other strategic investments made by the Federal Government; Second, loss of ownership of the three (3) winning proposals of Phase One and six (6) Winning plans from Phase Two Will occur; Third, loss of the permanent, non-exclusive licenses to any intellectual property contained Within winning proposals and plans; Fourth, any implementation funding for winning proposals provided by EDA will be inaccessible. EDA is currently researching the possibility of providing implementation funding for each SC2 City; Fifth, loss of use of the remainder of $1 million grants funds. This Will result in the loss of one staff person, the SC2 Project Manager; Sixth, a decreased ability to compete for future federal investments utilizing the “C4” (Cooperative, Coordinated, Collaborative, Catalytic) Model from the Federal Government generally and EDA specifically; Seventh withdrawal from the challenge may hurt and mar the City’s brand, image, and strategic messaging given it is the first city in the country to administer a prize competition particularly now that the project’s infrastructure is in place; Eighth and
lastly, the excitement and inspiration the challenge has spurred from local, state, regional, national, and international participants and Organizations regarding the “Gate City” will be nullified.
