Economy League of Greater Philadelphia turns 100

January 12, 2010

Christopher Wink, Technically Philly

In 1939, the City of Philadelphia was in a financial pinch. Some were clamoring for the city to privatize its gas works, because natural gas as an energy was in decline and the capital could finally right City Hall's ship. Of course, there's a good chance natural gas heats your home today, the city is once again in financial straits and people still talk about privatizing utilities.

That reality is something the Economy League of Greater Philadelphia, the nonpartisan policy nonprofit, seemed to know even then, as it offered a report calling ideas to sell the utility "unwarranted."

It was one in a century-long history of involvement in public affairs by offering analysis of the region's issues of the day.

Tonight the group, launched as the Bureau of Municipal Research, is throwing itself a 100-year-anniversary party at a Center City restaurant, to be attended by directors and officers, partners, supporters, Michael Nutter and other regional leaders.

Back in September, the Economy League offered analysis of the University City Science Center, suggesting it has a $9 billion economic impact on the region, highlighted by technology startups.

It's a long climb from the league's beginnings, when "a handful of public-spirited men of affairs who wished to raise the efficiency and fidelity of public service" launched the collective 100 years ago.

By 1912, the Bulletin was singing their praises, calling the group the following:

a local agency of a few private citizens who employ experts to examine municipal affairs, with a view to getting rid of antiquated, clumsy, slipshod, or extravagant ways of doing things and substituting...system, precision, competency, and economy - not the economy which merely saves by reducing expenses, but which accomplishes a desired result along the simplest and best lines.

In its next period of growth, the league is launching a three-year business plan emphasizing "its role as a civic organization committed to using research, communications, and leadership development to address the toughest issues Greater Philadelphia faces today while convening others to develop and implement a long-term vision for the future."

Here's to 100 more years.

http://technicallyphilly.com/2010/01/12/economy-league-of-greater-philadelphia-turns-100