29 INDIANAPOLIS REGIONAL CENTER PLAN 2020 PLANNING DOWNTOWN�fS FUTURE TODAY WORKING DOWNTOWN INTRODUCTION The Working Downtown Committee met seven times beginning in December 2002.  Members discussed the needs of government and institutions; jobs and workforce development requirements; developments in the health and life sciences industry; technology, industry and advanced manufacturing processes; and office and headquarters development.  Four frameworks were used to facilitate discussion of these topics: Attraction/Retention Considered the promotion of the Regional Center as a business location for domestic and international companies or organizations. Also compared the value of supporting new business attraction to the expansion, product development and employee growth of existing businesses. Workforce Development Discussed the development of employee skills, job marketing, testing services and unemployment insurance benefits Workforce development includes labor market information, regulations, training, employee promotion and skills assessment. New Initiatives Reviewed the plans, initiatives, studies and reports that have been prepared by public and private groups, which have an influence over the Downtown workforce. Infrastructure Discussed the underlying foundation or basic framework of employers.  This basic framework can include telecommunication, buildings, land, equipment, chilled water, steam, parking and public works required for an activity. TOPICS This Working Downtown section covers the following topics:   9. Health and Life Sciences 10. Jobs and Workforce Development 11. Office and Headquarters Development 12. Government and Institutions  Technology, Industry and Advanced     Manufacturing*  Infrastructure (Utilities, Streets/Parking and   Pedestrian Movement)** *While the topic of Technology, Industry and Advanced Manufacturing was discussed during the committee phase of plan development, formal goals and objectives were not developed.   **While the topic of Infrastructure is covered in the Moving Around Downtown section of this report, it is mentioned here as relates to business and economic development. PRIORITIES AND THEMES In order to create a positive work experience, it is important to create a total environment that includes places for workers to live, opportunities for skill building and advancement and a quality built environment and work experience. Housing  Develop and maintain a full price range of housing, including housing that is attractive to corporate leaders. Partnerships  Build a strong working partnership of those involved in economic development, workforce development and education.  It is important that technical training and education focus on employer needs and the production of workers who can fill the creative types of jobs that reinforce 21^st century initiatives. Urban Design  In order to attract businesses and retain highly skilled creative workers, it is important to provide an inspiring environment.  The development of urban design standards and the continued support for a unique and high-quality Downtown is a high priority. EMPLOYMENT STATISTICS The Regional Center houses the corporate offices of many outstanding companies in relatively wide range of industries.  These firms do business locally, nationally and some cases, internationally.  Likewise, the Regional Center is a hub of governmental activity, including federal, state, county and local government offices, courts and related facilities According to the 1990 Census Transportation Planning Package, there were 109,079 daytime employees working in the Regional Center.   The 1990 Census numbers served as a point of reference for other updated data.  According to the 2003 Claritas update, employment increased to 127,335 employees. Daytime employment information obtained for 2003 (Claritas, Inc.) offers the following profile the Regional Center:  Nearly half (48 percent) of all Regional Center employment is in the service sector.  Education and health services account for 13 and 10 percent of Regional Center employment.  Other services (17 percent) is a broad classification that includes many varied service industries.  Manufacturing accounts for the next largest sector employing 17 percent of the Regional Center daytime labor force.   This is followed by government and by finance, insurance and real estate that respectively account for 10 percent and nine percent of the Regional Center's employment.   The table on the following page provides an indication of how employment is projected to change through 2008 across the broader region. WORKING DOWNTOWN