We used this version of the prosperity prize simulation for a mix of economic and workforce development professionals.

1. PO BOX 59 SPRINGFIELD, ST 99999
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SPRINGFIELD PROSPERITY PRIZE
(“P-PRIZE”) IMPLEMENTATION TEAM
May 4, 2011
Dear Springfield Community Leader:
Thank you for participating in the Springfield Prosperity Prize planning effort.
As you know, the Prosperity Foundation recently selected the City of Springfield as the
recipient of its first-of-a-kind Prosperity Prize (P-Prize) - a cash award of $100M to remake
the way the city invests in its own prosperity. The Prosperity Foundation is known for its
“surprise” approach to philanthropy, but has never made an award so large, and about which
the winner had no advanced knowledge.
Foundation trustees developed the P-Prize Initiative over two years ago, rating dozens of
cities on its own internally-developed criteria. Springfield, having faced massive economic
change over the past two decades, has consistently advanced a regional, strengths-based
approach to development, showing itself capable of innovation and resilient in the face of
many obstacles - including a 20% unemployment rate. Trustees indicated these factors led
to its selection as a finalist. But it was the expressed commitment of community leaders to
revitalizing manufacturing around the growth of Greenforce Engines (and its suppliers), that
put Springfield on top.
The size of the prize ($100M) relative to other public (and even existing private) investments is
substantial. The annual operating budget for the City of Springfield (pop 200K) is $1.4B, while
Lincoln County’s (pop 500K) is $560M.
The Prosperity Prize comes with three conditions:
1. Building on the recent success of Greenforce, now Springfield’s largest private-sector
firm, city leaders must develop a sustainable growth plan for the region, emphasizing
increased overall prosperity and tracking progress openly and transparently.
2. The plan must rely on an integrated strategy – reflecting the Prosperity Foundation’s
belief that people, firms, and communities are all part of the solution.
3. Attention to innovation must be evident, in keeping with the Prosperity Foundation’s
commitment to helping communities do different things, not just more of the same.
We need your help in planning for this unprecedented opportunity to build a brighter future
for Springfield and surrounding communities.
The whole world is watching and seeking to learn from our efforts.
We will not disappoint.
Sincerely,
Mary Simpson, Mayor
Vinz Koller, Prosperity Foundation Program Director