Living Cities has issued a report on lessons-learned in their work with anchor institutions. Over the last few years, cities have pushed harder on anchors to commit “time, treasure and talent” to fuel local economic development. Anchors have tried to do more, but often they’ve been subject to criticism for pursuing projects that were too limited in scope and ambition.

While economic development leaders like ICIC have encouraged communities to take a business-like approach when engaging anchors, Living Cities’ experience suggests communities need to go one step further and create an organizational infrastructure to support partnerships with anchor institutions.

– Ian Jakus