25. Cultural Environment“Diversity – not simply having multi-ethnic presence but also learning to appreciate the different weaves of culture that make up our modern fabric.” – Duluth Citizen
26. Economic Environment Duluth’s Purchasing Power 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.
27. Economic Environment What ails our economy and us? Retail Sustainability Dark Properties Resources Limited: SPLOST, property values, foreclosures. Retention: Keep our big industries. Malaise: How do we feel?
28. Economic Environment What’s in the Doctor’s Bag? 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.
29. Economic Environment Opportunities 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.
46. Technological Environment OMG WRU? “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. It should have features that attract and support all age groups.” -Marsha Anderson Bomar
56. 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