This document discusses the key factors that contribute to a healthy city as defined by the Healthy City Index. It addresses the demographic, economic, natural, technical, political, and cultural environments of the city. Each environment is examined in terms of its current state, opportunities, and importance to a healthy, sustainable city that meets the needs of present and future generations. The document emphasizes diversity, community involvement, municipal services, cultural activities, and balancing new and old developments.

3. Economic Environment

4. Natural Environment

5. Technical Environment

6. Political Environment

9. Economic Environment

10. Natural Environment

11. Technical Environment

12. Political Environment

14. 25% is 18 to 34

15. 26% is 35 to 49

16. 19% is 50 to 64

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

21. Economic Environment

22. Natural Environment

23. Technical Environment

24. Political Environment

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.

31. Economic Environment

32. Natural Environment

33. Technical Environment

34. Political Environment

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

36. Natural Environment

37. Changing Role of Government Green Efforts

38. Regional Thinking Air Quality Water Quality Transportation Issues Environmental Issues We must all work in collaboration!

39. Parks & Recreation

41. Economic Environment

42. Natural Environment

43. Technical Environment

44. Political Environment

45. Cultural EnvironmentP P “A healthy city has abundant green space.” – Verna Challenger

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

47. Tools & Procedures Improving Interconnectivity

48. Character Areas That have a strong focus on advanced technologies

50. Economic Environment

51. Natural Environment

52. Technical Environment

53. Political Environment

54. Cultural EnvironmentP P P “A healthy city will have first rate municipal services.” – Duluth Citizen

55. Political Environment

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

58. Economic Environment

59. Natural Environment

60. Technical Environment

61. Political Environment

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

63. Cultural Environment “Culture and leadership makes a healthy city.” -Dave Cook

64. The Economics of Volunteerism

65. Our Culture “Art has the ability to communicate complex concepts in ways that can be understood by all cultures.”

66. Traditions, Rituals, Stories & Ceremonies

68. Economic Environment

69. Natural Environment

70. Technical Environment

71. Political Environment

72. Cultural EnvironmentP P P P P “A healthy city connects with the history of the town.” – Webcast Comment

73. A Balancing Act Redevelopment New Development