Title
Future Trends Report
Brief Description: Discussion of a Future Trends Report, prepared by staff, to provide education on current and future-focused trends in the areas of Technology, Commercial, Retail, and Finance. The purpose of the report is to bring awareness to trends that will impact the City of Hudson in the near future, so that the City may take advantage of early and bold action.
Body
Legislative History
None
Purpose & Explanation
The report is an overview of recurring topics that staff identified in research across the four noted focus areas. It is not an exhaustive description of future trends. It highlights some of the widely documented trends that are receiving increased attention at this time due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This time of uncertainty can serve as an opportunity to test solutions to oncoming trends, so that Hudson may be made more resilient by the challenges we’ve experienced this year.
Timing Considerations
Most of the trends described in the report have either arisen directly out of the COVID-19 pandemic or have been greatly accelerated by the pandemic. The City can benefit by acting on a number of the trends as soon as possible. Acting now may curb negative impacts of COVID-19 on the City’s health, and embracing the future-focused trends may position the City as a leader on the other side of the pandemic.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted (Account #, $)
Supplemental Appropriation Required (Account #, $)
X Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
Staff recommends a thorough review of the trends presented. The trends are well-documented across reputable sources; it is reasonable to assume they are largely inevitable. Staff recommends that Council identify the trends of most pressing importance to Hudson, so that staff may begin developing recommended courses of action.
Submitted by,
Jane Howington, City Manager
Susan Chapman, Business Operations Manager
Emily Fernandez, Management Analyst