DC Inno by Eric Hal Schwartz

Deep-pocketed local business leaders announced the formation of the Greater Washington Partnership on Wednesday, an effort to boost the economy of the whole region,from Baltimore to Richmond. The group of nearly 20 executives is led by Ramsey Asset Management CEO Russ Ramsey, Monumental CEO and Revolution co-founder Ted Leonsis and JPMorgan Chase D.C. regional chairman Peter Scher. The group was born out of the ashes of the failed bid for the 2024 Olympic Games when Scher started talking to Ramsey, who was chair of the Olympic committee, and Leonsis, who key figure on the committee.

"The Olympic bid didn't move forward but we found a lot of enthusiasm from stakeholders," Ramsey told DC Inno in an interview. "We had accomplished something not often seen before and unified the region around a common goal. Now, with [the Partnership], we can use a much bigger lens to look through and address critical infrastructure, transportation and other issues."

The group has a lot of big goals. Improving infrastructure, educating people for new industries and generally raising the profile of the region as an innovation and business center all fall under the Partnership's aegis."

People think of the region as the federal government and nothing more," Ramsey said. "But, we can demonstrate there's so much more, and leveraging resources to focus on solutions to bring that to light."

Though the Partnership is made up of just business leaders, there's a lot of involvement and partnering with civic leaders and elected officials at every level in the area. The plan, according to Ramsey, it to make sure that the collaborations can extend benefits beyond the more traditional jurisdictions.

"I think the Partnership shows that this isn't your grandfather's Washington, D.C., " Joaquin McPeek, communications director in the D.C. office of the deputy mayor for planning and economic development, told DC Inno in an interview. "I think this shows the strength of our region. When it comes to being an economic powerhouse we have so many great industries and our region is rich in human capital and talent."

McPeek pointed to Mayor Bowser's official comments highlighting the way what helps one area helps the whole area. Her point that the area is "full of tremendous talent" that when brought together "can make great things happen for the entire region” is a philosophy he said fits well into his office's work.

"We're prepared for a 21st century economy," McPeek said. "No matter your background, there's something to offer everyone. We've done a good job so far and this is a powerful platform to solve the problems facing our economy."

The same benefits ares supposed to apply to apply to the startups as well as more established companies.

"We have needed an initiative and collaborative effort like the GWP for quite some time and this will help our region in many ways," LifeFuels founder Jonathon Perrelli told DC Inno. "Between the suburbs of D.C. and the Baltimore region, we have an array of issues that require collaboration between private industry, non profit and citizen-action oriented organizations, as well as local government."

The Partnership is now looking for a CEO to take the helm, ideally with a mix of private and public experience according to Ramsey. That search is ongoing but once picked, things will happen quickly.

"We want someone hungry and eager to make a difference," Ramsey said. "We have our eyes open for the best talent to move the region forward."

http://dcinno.streetwise.co/2016/12/14/greater-washington-dc-partnership-economic-plan-for-innovation/