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• <br /> It is the recommendation of DeSCo that funding and staffing is secured for <br /> full implementation of this plan. Assuming this to be an achievable <br /> objective, we have written a five year economic development strategy that <br /> addresses all five of the cornerstones. This program is heavily weighted <br /> toward the first three; organization, product and business retention and <br /> expansion. It is the consultant's recommendation that these are the best <br /> investments of the City's economic development funds at this time. <br /> Project phasing into three sections; Early, Middle, Late. In a three year <br /> strategy such as this early implementation is recommended for less than two <br /> years from plan adoption; middle is for year's two to four and late is years <br /> four through five. <br /> Organizational Development <br /> Economic development cannot occur without the staff and organizational support <br /> necessary to make it happen. It is, without question, the point where all ED must start. <br /> Arden Hills is not exempt from their need to address this area either. <br /> The first component essential to a successful economic development program is to <br /> ensure that the organizational capabilities are in place for ED to succeed. In order to <br /> accomplish that success, we recommend that Arden Hills address the following <br /> organizational issues: <br /> Early: Years 1-2 <br /> 1) Economic and Community Development Director. <br /> For economic development to succeed there needs to be someone in the <br /> community with the title for such responsibilities. Currently, there is no one on <br /> City staff with the title of economic development director. In order to begin the <br /> process of addressing this critical issue an economic development director needs <br /> to be put in place. Full time economic development staff is not warranted at this <br /> time. However, a minimum of part time attention to economic development is <br /> warranted for consideration. Our first recommendation is that the awareness of <br /> this priority be recognized through title changes. We would recommend that the <br /> Strategic Plan for Economic Development Page 12 of 23 <br /> Draft—Subject to Approval and Adoption <br />