A consulting report titled “City of Fort Collins: Economic Health Strategic Plan, December 2011” has been submitted to the City by Austin-based consultant TIP Strategies, Inc.

I’m going out on a minor limb, but I think this is probably the first-ever professionally prepared, data-driven economic plan in the city’s history, and it’s a good one.

The guiding principles are that the City’s “economic health program seeks to create a vibrant, resilient economy,” and the “collaboration of government, academia, companies, and non-profits is the foundation of this approach.”

The plan outlines four main objectives for the community to consider:

  1. A comprehensive, collaborative, and effective structure for managing economic development in Fort Collins.
  2. A robust innovation ecosystem and economy that supports companies at all stages of growth.
  3. A complete system for talent management that meets the needs of current and future employers.
  4. High quality community assets and infrastructure necessary to attract and retain employers and talent.

The report is chock-a-block full of information and you can find it here.