5/11/1993 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MAY 111993 BOOK . 09 FACE 509 The proposed grant application includes several activities, the most significant of which involves preparation of a detailed strategy plan. Besides development of the strategy plan, other activities include: Update of county's Commercial/Industrial Data Source Preparation of an economic base study Development of a fiscal impact model Preparation and distribution of an informational brochure ANALYSIS As drafted, the application reflects a one year program funded with $75,000 in EDA funds and $25,000 in local matching funds. According to the EDA, a second year of funding is probable. The referenced activities will be done in-house with existing staff and a new economic development planner. While staff's preference was to retain a consultant for much of the work, EDA representatives indicated that the grant would not be approved unless the county hired an economic development planner. In taking this position, EDA's intent is to encourage the county to develop in-house expertise in the area of economic development. By undertaking the activities identified in the grant application, the county will develop a better economic development program. The proposed strategy plan, for example, will complement the recently approved Overall Economic Development Plan. With better data and more detailed analysis, the strategy plan will provide a more useful document to guide the county's economic development activities. Several of the proposed activities will result in tools used to prepare the strategy plan and to address economic development issues subsequent to plan preparation. These are the economic base study and the fiscal impact model. Another activity, preparation and distribution of an informational brochure, is a function already programmed for the Council of 100 to undertake. This activity will be done jointly by county staff and the Council of 100. It is staff's position that the proposed grant activities will result in useful products. Since no additional county funds will be necessary to undertake these activities, staff feels that the county should accept EDA's invitation to apply for 302(a) grant funds. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Board of County Commissioners adopt the attached resolution authorizing staff to submit an EDA Section 302(a) grant application. Commissioner Macht asked whether the County had a staff member _with the necessary expertise to be placed in the position of economic development planner. Director Keating explained that staff had suggested that, but the Economic Development Administration (EDA) representative was 44