The article explores the strengths and weaknesses of our skyrocketing economy (with eye-opening stats and charts!). This fact-based presentation can be a springboard to new approaches regarding issues like our K-12 education, income disparity and the environment.

http://www.bcdc.ca.gov/meetings/commission/2012/BAEconAssessment.pdf

This Bay Area Council Economic Institute Report (2012) assesses factors driving the economic success of The Bay Area, and allows room for us to consider what could make that growth even stronger going forward.  It shows, for example, that The Bay Area economy is one of the most productive and prosperous in the country (see relative GDP per capita relative to other cities in the US). It also spotlights innovation and technology and says that we are “unrivaled in producing world-class companies and jobs in the region, nationally and around the world.” On the other hand, there are issues about our K-12 education, expressed in the statement that “many companies were concerned with the quality of the K-12 public education system.” It also noted the large income disparity across the region, as well as the negative impact of economic growth/prosperity on our environment.

It begs the question: what can each of us (and the organizations we serve) do to re-double our efforts to address the less successful elements of our Bay Area ecosystem?