Title
Economic Development Focus for 2015 - 2016
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Provide staff with feedback and direction regarding the City Council's economic development focus areas for the next two years.
Report
Issue:
City Council included money in the 2015 budget to hire and Economic Development professional. The City Manager and Community Planning and Development Director have been working to develop a job description and key success factors and desired outcomes. As part of this work, staff seeks council review and feedback on a list of key focus areas for the next two years.
Staff Contact:
Keith Stahley, Director, Community Planning and Development, 360.753.8227
Presenter(s):
Steve Hall, City Manager
Keith Stahley, Director, Community Planning and Development
Background and Analysis:
As part of the 2015 budget, City Council included $125,000 to hire and Economic Development Professional. Staff seeks City Council feedback on key focus areas for the next two years. In order to achieve results, it is critical that the new person stay focused on strategic initiatives of the City and not get bogged down on minutia. The City Manager CPD Director and Councilmember Cooper met with the executive directors of the Thurston County Economic Development Council, the Thurston County Chamber of Commerce and the Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater Visitor and Convention Bureau to review focus areas list for this position. The list below reflects their input and feedback:
Economic Development Focus 2015-2016
* Retain and Expand Major Employers and Retailers -- focus on Medical Services, Regional Mall, Auto Mall and State Government.
* Recruitment Efforts -- support regional partners in strategic recruitment efforts.
* Municipal Landfill - complete environmental assessment and strategically pursue sale of the site for high quality development.
* CRA and Opportunit...
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