04-25-07 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

It is the recommendation of DeSCo that funding and staffing is secured for • full implementation of this plan. Assuming this to be an achievable objective, we have written a five year economic development strategy that addresses all five of the cornerstones. This program is heavily weighted toward the first three; organization, product and business retention and expansion however. It is the consultant's recommendation that these are the best investments of the City's economic development funds at this time. Project phasing into three sections; Early, Middle, Late. In a five year strategy such as this early implementation is recommended for less than two years from plan adoption; mid term is for year's two to four and late term is years four through five. Organizational Development Economic development cannot occur without the staff and organizational support necessary to make it happen. It is, without question, the point where all ED must start. Arden Hills is not exempt from their need to address this area either. The first component essential to a successful economic development program is to ensure that the organizational capabilities are in place for ED to succeed. In order to accomplish that success, we recommend that Arden Hills address the following organizational issues: Early: Years 1-2 1) Economic and Community Development Director. For economic development to succeed there needs to be someone in the community with the title for such responsibilities. Currently, there is no one on City staff with the title of economic development director. In order to begin the process of addressing this critical issue an economic development director needs to be put in place. Full time economic development staff is not warranted at this time. However, a Strategic Plan for Economic Development Page 12 of 25 Final Draft— Ready for Release Subject to Council Approval and Adoption