Weak economy leads agency to review focus

The Greater Richmond Partnership is re-evaluating its mission in light of the downturn in the national and global economies.

The regional economic development agency released an action plan this week.

In the next 90 days, it will review what industries to target, how to assist companies in growing and declining markets, ways to help dislocated workers and how to support innovation and entrepreneurship.

"Where we're spending our time and resources may change depending on the current situation," said the partnership's president, Gregory H. Wingfield.

For years, the partnership has focused on attracting key industries. Those targets include finance and insurance, two fields heavily hit by the global downturn and credit crunch.

It may be time to change that focus to include sectors such as clean technology, green and alternative energy, Wingfield said.

The partnership also will look at how to identify companies doing well and those that are ailing. "If [the companies] are laying off, how do we get to them sooner rather than later to help transition [employees]," Wingfield said.

The public-private group also is creating a Web portal for people to search for jobs in the Richmond area, as well as provide resources to laid-off workers looking to start their own companies.

Contact Emily C. Dooley at (804) 649-6016 or .