• Better education system/superintendent (11)
• Regional transit (8)
• Regional cooperation (7)
• Technology-- Emerging Tech Fund (4)
• Business leaders serve in local government (3)
• City/county manager (2)

Other:

• Promote greenspace
• Mentoring program – APIE (Austin Partners in Education)
• Vibrant downtown economy
• Proactively recruit white collar jobs, intellectual capital
• Seek the “Greater Good”
• Diversity
• Recruit “new era” companies
• Encourage community “change agents” (“diplomats” like Sen. Watson)
• Seek/encourage “alliances”
• Implement the (Transit Working Group’s) “Decision Tree”
• Seek Home Rule
• Kidnap their political leaders to replace our own.
• Innovative workforce
• Intellectual capital

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• UAB/Innovation Depot/Tech (12)
• Regionalism/Single economic development entity for region (11)
• Entertainment district (4)
• Emphasis on education and involve the community (4)

Other:

• Decision tree
• Clean energy
• Light rail to tie in outlying areas
• Downtown incentives
• Music/movie production/gaming industry
• Use natural environment to recruit new residents, entrepreneurs and industry
• Current unused resources

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• UAB (11)
• Business leadership (7)
• Regional cooperation (6)
• Topographical beauty (4)
• Cooperation with transit (4)
• Civil rights heritage (3)
• Redevelopment of downtown (2)

Other:

• Green
• Great cuisine
• Entertainment
• Local companies that can foster innovation and growth
• Yuppies
• “Yes We Can”
• Geographical Advantage
• Economic incentives for new projects
• Vulcan
• Our international base and port on the Tombigbee
• Utility companies-energy related
• Small business

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• Lack of cohesive leadership group (12)
• Lack of regional cooperation (10)
• Fear, distrust, risk (6)
• Lack of cooperation between government and business community (5)
• Silos of interest (4)
• Burden of history (4)
• Egos (3)

Other:

• Money
• Culture of distrust
• Lukewarm support of new people
• Lack of transparency and accountability
• Too many municipalities
• Cultural differences
• Lack of involvement
• Council positions aren’t at large
• Tuscaloosa with UA should coordinate with the region
• Sprawl

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• UAB/healthcare (19)
• Quality of life (10)
• Higher education infrastructure (5)
• Entrepreneurs (4)
• Business community (3)

Other:

• Diverse economy and cultures
• Second tier city in the southeast
• Central location in the Southeast
• Beauty
• Human capital
• Airport
• Venture capital groups
• Finance
• Utility companies
• Northern beltline
• Workforce
• Work ethic
• Potential for development
• Green environment

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• Start ups and tech
• Educated young talent
• Arts and culture
• New/multi-family development
• City officials/business leaders working together
• Transit
• Optimism
• Downtown park system

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• Image and Culture/”Weirdness”
• Austin City Limits/Entertainment
• Diversity
• Attraction of Creative People
• Quality of life
• Regional Leadership/Cooperation w/suburbs
• Anything in order to reach goals
• Cooperation among civic, business, and political leaders
• Accountability/Transparency/Leadership
• Positive attitude
• UT’s urban setting/state capitol
• Existing tech business/innovation
• Transportation
• Funding

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• Quality of life
• Local economy allows pursuit of entrepreneurial opportunity
• Hope
• Hometown/Family
• Professional growth/Attractive work environment
• Location of city/Size of the city
• Stable economy
• To make a positive impact/leave a legacy
• People
• History
• Business community
• Medical expertise and services
• Physical beauty and geographic location
• Ease of mobility
• High level of philanthropy and civic engagement
• Opportunities yet to be realized/ “hunger to achieve”
• Hope of demographic diversity moving region forward
• Easy to know people all over city/region

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