A December 11, 2009, editorial from the Akron Beacon Journal has this to say about EfficientGovNow:
The Fund for Our Economic Future spends most of its time and money supporting regional economic development organizations. What leaders of the fund, a collaboration of philanthropic organizations, also realize is how important more efficient local government is to the goal of attracting and growing new businesses in Northeast Ohio.
This week, the fund approved a second round of competition among local governments designed to find and support the best ideas for collaboration. Last summer, the EfficientGovNow program drew 65 proposals, far more than expected. Three winners shared $300,000 in grant money. Starting next month, the program will begin to solicit more ideas, promising $330,000 in grant money. A fourth prize may be awarded, set aside for a project involving smaller communities.
No, $330,000 in grant money isn’t enough. The 16 counties in Northeast Ohio contain some 700 units of local government, spending more than $17 billion a year. But EfficientGovNow is, in itself, efficient. The grants spur local governments to think creatively about ways to share expenses and provide better services. Residents of the region again will vote on the final selections. More than 13,000 people weighed in last year. In that way, the program drives its message far beyond the top grant winners, reinforcing the message of partnering for prosperity.