Title
Thurston Community Economic Alliance - Presentation
Recommended Action
Information only. No action requested.
Report
Issue:
Discussion on the Thurston Community Economic Alliance strategic plan.
Staff Contact:
Joyce Phillips, Senior Planner, Community Planning and Development, 360.570.3722
Presenter(s):
Michael Cade, Executive Director, Thurston Economic Development Council (EDC)
Aslan Meade, Business and Investor Relations Manager, Thurston EDC
Background and Analysis:
At the beginning of 2016, the Thurston EDC Board directed staff to explore the possibility of creating a Thurston County-wide Strategic Plan for Economic Development. Such a plan did not exist in our community and it was believed that a coordinated effort would help identify common economic development goals, align community resources, and clarify the actions and roles community partners can take to build a resilient and vibrant economic base.
The response from partners was overwhelmingly in favor of this effort. More than 100 community leaders representing local government, non-profits, educational institutions and the greater Thurston business community have been actively engaged in developing the framework of the plan, participating in multiple strategy sessions to shape the foundation for a new Thurston Community Economic Alliance.
As the state-designated economic development agency for our county, Thurston EDC serves as the convener of the Alliance, taking responsibility for tracking, managing and facilitating implementation of the plan, working with other partners on the implementation process, and providing annual progress reports for Alliance partners and the broader community.
The Alliance concept builds upon some excellent prior work, including the Sustainable Economy White Paper developed as part of the Sustainable Thurston Initiative, a regional Target Industry Cluster Analysis and the Pac Mtn Workforce Development Strategic Plan. A draft set of indicators will be used to evaluate overall progress of the Thurston Community Economic Alliance. A variety of measures, from income to poverty, housing affordability and many others are included. The indicator and project background documents are available to review via links on the Thurston EDC webpage.
At the beginning of 2017, the Thurston Community Economic Alliance published its Strategic Economic Development Plan (see attachment).
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Economic Development, both within the city and regionally, is of community-wide interest.
Options:
Information only. No action requested.
Financial Impact:
None.
Attachments:
TCEA Strategic Plan