Healthy City Index

Demographic EnvironmentEconomic EnvironmentNatural EnvironmentTechnical EnvironmentPolitical EnvironmentCultural Environment

Definition of Sustainable

Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs <sustainable techniques>

Healthy City Index

Demographic EnvironmentEconomic EnvironmentNatural EnvironmentTechnical EnvironmentPolitical EnvironmentCultural Environment

Demographic Environment“Know Thy Customer”

Population 28,000

Diversity

Education Levels 49.4% of residents have a

bachelor’s degree or higher

Age Brackets 24% under 18 25% is 18 to 34 26% is 35 to 49 19% is 50 to 64 6% is over the age of 65

Households 11,015 45% are rentals

Median Household Income

$61,265

Geographical Shifts Within & Around Duluth

“The way a city cares for its poorest citizens accurately reflects the health of a city.” – Rob

McQueary

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“Diversity – not simply having multi-ethnic presence but also learning to appreciate thedifferent weaves of culture that make up our modern fabric.” – Duluth Citizen

Economic Environment

Gross Purchasing Power is median household income x the number of families

$61,265 x 6,339 families = $388,000,000 in gross purchasing

power

Purchasing power drives all retail economics. Purchasing habits are changing retail in

Duluth.

Duluth’s Purchasing Power

Economic Environment

• Retail Sustainability

• Dark Properties

• Resources Limited: SPLOST, property values, foreclosures.

• Retention: Keep our big industries.

• Malaise: How do we feel?

What ails our economy and us?

Economic Environment

• Redevelopment Plan for Buford Highway

• Tax Allocation District #1 Buford Highway• Downtown Development Authority: Planning and

financing improvements.

• Updated Planning and Development Ordinances: Streamlining the development process.

• Utilizing Old City Hall Block: Working with merchants.

• Livable Cities Initiative: Seeking $100,000 to complete planning for downtown.

• Gwinnett County Chamber of Commerce & Partnership Gwinnett: Utilizing contact and resources.

What’s in the Doctor’s Bag?

Economic Environment

• The Zip Code Cross Promotion

• Ethnic Diversity: Duluth is an International City.

• Geography: Easy to access Metro Area.

• Easy Access to a vast array of International Goods

• Long Range Planning: Leaders are planning for the future.

• Strategically located in Gwinnett County

• Fortune 500 Companies: Three in Gwinnett County; two of those have Duluth zip codes.

• Community Involvement: Citizens care about Duluth.

Opportunities

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“Community is all that really matters. The economy of a community is its people. Duluth is its people.” – Webcast Comment

Natural Environment

Green Efforts Changing Role of Government

Regional Thinking• Air Quality• Water Quality• Transportation Issues• Environmental Issues

We must all work in collaboration!

Parks & Recreation

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“A healthy city has abundant green space.” – Verna Challenger

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Technological Environment

“You must have a multi-generational energy to be a healthy city. Some of the current terminology is a community where you can age in place. Itshould have features that attract and support all age groups.”

-Marsha Anderson Bomar

OMG WRU?

Tools & ProceduresImproving Interconnectivity

Character AreasThat have a strong focus on

advanced technologies

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“A healthy city will have first rate municipal services.” – Duluth Citizen

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Political Environment

Opportunities & Issues

“A healthy city has good traffic flow and low taxes.” - Lewis Wilson

• Regional Transportation Tax• Sales Tax Collection• SPLOST• Flexibility in Revenue Options

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“A healthy city has opportunities for local citizens and City politicians to interact informally.” – Will Nelson

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Cultural Environment

“Culture and leadership makes a healthy city.”

-Dave Cook

The Economics of Volunteerism

Our Culture “Art has the ability to communicate complex concepts

in ways that can be understood by all cultures.”

Traditions, Rituals, Stories & Ceremonies

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“A healthy city connects with the history of the town.” – Webcast Comment

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A Balancing ActRedevelopment New Development