Soon after Slovenia declared its independence a project was undertaken by a team of professionals (now at ETG) to help the region of Maribor position itself for a market economy. The effort, funded entirely by the city of Maribor and the government of Slovenia, involved a systematic process of (1) analyzing the region’s industrial capabilities and future requirements, (2) assessing the responsiveness of the region’s soft and hard economic infrastructure, and (3) developing a strategic vision of the Maribor economy. This strategy process collaboratively shaped new economic directions based on the region’s geographic location with respect to the emerging Alp-Adria community, and the potential of the region based on evolution of its heavy industry, textiles, agriculture, trade and tourism into a region of mechanical, light diversified industries and construction services; specialty and niche finished product textiles; regional-transportation and business services, and tourism services. In order to implement the vision of the region the project developed a business plan for a Maribor Development Agency (MDA), and undertook initial restructuring efforts with selected companies.