The Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County is mapping its future. In 2013, Ady Voltedge, an economic development consulting firm in Madison, Wis., was contracted to create a strategic plan for the EDC. What followed were more than six months of interviews, research and online surveys. The final plan was presented to the public in January. The 131-page document includes a definition of the EDCs role in economic development, goals for the next three to five years, specific strategies to achieve those goals and benchmarks to measure progress. Before the Ady Voltedge plan becomes the basis of operations for the EDC, it must be endorsed by the EDC board of directors, the Wayne County Commissioners and the Wayne County Council. On Wednesday, the EDC board had a special meeting to begin discussing the plan. Also in attendance were representatives of the county council and commissioners, as well as other elected officials and members of the public. The meeting was designed as an opportunity to make comments and ask questions rather than as a decision-making session. Goals The plan calls for the EDC to focus on three goals during the next three to five years: Growing and attracting businesses for which Wayne County has a compelling business case; Engaging stakeholders to help promote economic success in the county; Helping grow the skill level of the labor force. Each goal is broken down in detail. The implementation plan comprises 23 pages of the strategic plan. On Wednesday, two primary issues became the focus of discussion: funding and priorities. Funding Ady Voltedge suggests the EDC cannot accomplish all that is expected with its current staff of three people. The implementation plan lists more than 25 responsibilities for an additional resource -- in other words, an additional staff person. Those duties include working with the president on business retention and expansion, as well as being the primary liaison with area educational institutions in efforts to increase the skill level of the work force. In 2012, the EDC had a full-time staff of four and shared a receptionist with the Wayne County Area Chamber of Commerce. Since the end of 2012, the staff has been limited to the president, a manager of community affairs and a development coordinator. Commissioner Mary Anne Butters said Ady Voltedge makes a compelling case that it is time to grow the EDC staff again. As for how to fund the staff position, Butters suggested trying to persuade the city of Richmond to return to its former level of contribution to the Consolidated Economic Development Income Tax Fund ahead of schedule. Until 2013, the city contributed 50 percent of its EDIT monies to the consolidated fund, from which the EDC draws both its operating budget and development grants. In negotiations with the county last year, Richmond announced its intention to reduce that to 25 percent for 2013 and 2014. Even though Richmond has pledged to return to a 50 percent contribution in 2015, Butters and fellow commissioner Ken Paust expressed concern about the symbolic effect of the reduction on the perceived value of the EDC. Paust also asked about Ady Voltedges suggestion the county develop more industrial park land -- both about the availability of land and where funding was going to be found to pay for it. By far the most problematic issue with the Ady Voltedge plan is the suggestion the EDC seek private funding in addition to what it receives from the Consolidated EDIT Fund. The consulting firm pointed out the EDCs exclusive reliance on public funds is unusual among economic development agencies. Board member Bill Quigg said the idea of private funding is an interesting concept that raises a lot of questions. Were really going to have to build a case for private fundraising, said board treasurer Lee Elzemeyer. EDC president Valerie Shaffer assured those present that no decision about private funding would be made quickly. Were going to have much more discussion about that, she said. Priorities Board member Bob Warner expressed concern about how much responsibility the implementation plan places on Shaffer. He counted 15 high-priority items listed for her alone. Its dumping a lot on you, he said. I dont see ever getting to the medium and low (priorities). Paust asked if it would be possible to develop a top-10 list of the priorities coming out of the plan. Shaffer indicated the board would continue its discussions and work on setting priorities. The plan will be presented to the county and all towns making contributions to the Consolidated EDIT fund. Wayne County Council member Jeff Plasterer, who has been involved with the strategic planning process from the beginning, encouraged the board to move ahead with its endorsement, then go to the county commissioners and council for theirs. He suggested the EDC board come up with a list of its objectives for 2014 based on the Ady Voltedge plan and said hed like to see that continued in 2015, with that years plan specifically tied to the EDCs budget proposal to the county. Id like to see this plan approved, Plasterer said. Economic Development Corporation of Wayne County Ady Voltedge plan Ady Voltedge developed the EDCs strategic plan after conducting interviews and online surveys with more than 375 people living and working in Wayne County. Janet Ady, president and CEO of Ady Voltedge, unveiled the plan to about 100 community leaders Jan. 21 in a presentation at Reid Hospitals Lingle Auditorium. The full strategic plan and an executive summary are available at edcwc. Whats next?
Posted on: Tue, 11 Mar 2014 04:45:29 +0000
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