The last decade has been marked by extreme highs and lows…from GM, Delphi and NCR on one extreme, to the Base Closure and Realignment (BRAC) and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB) growth on the other extreme. Through the highs and the lows, one constant has continued to gain momentum year after year: The will of the citizens of the Dayton Region to work as a coalition, to face the challenges, to celebrate the victories together, and to “speak with one voice” about the richness of our Region. Richness in resources, richness in talent, and richness in innovation.

When the Dayton Development Coalition first started, it was an organization focused on economic development for the Region. Over the years, it has become more than an organization…it has become a coalition of stakeholders sharing the same concerns and working toward the common goals of growing jobs and prosperity.

What have we, all of us, done over the last ten years?

• Increased focus on WPAFB and succeeded with a very positive outcome in the 2005 BRAC
• Developed a sound strategy for growth focused on four targeted growth industries where we have strength and are competitive compared to the rest of the nation
• Developed a network of resources to support entrepreneurs, resources that include education, investment, consulting and connections
• Made strategic investments in relationships and infrastructure that will renew the spirit of innovation upon which this Region once rose to national and international prominence

Where do we go from here?

• First and foremost, we must continue to work together…our challenges and our opportunities cannot be met without working together
• We must challenge ourselves to be bold…to be risk takers…we are entrepreneurs, and entrepreneurs take risks. We must think of new ways to do things whether in business, or education, or government
• We must renew the spirit of innovation and let the world know that we are back in the “innovation game”. From the Wright Brothers, to Kettering and Patterson, our legacy is strong
• Continue to tell our story! We are a region with a great story to tell. We must all be Dayton Region Ambassadors and tell the story as only we can

Our future starts now…and innovation is the foundation