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(Clerk's note: This item was heard following Item 81 and is placed here for continuity). <br />Beth Mitchell, Chair of the Economic Development Council (EDC), spoke of exploring <br />a Comprehensive County initiative to improve the Economic Development Council's efforts. <br />The type of information from this analysis and profiling, she said, can be used to strengthen our <br />message to key industries, site consultants, and other potential contacts, and it would <br />differentiate the County's strength from our competitors. There are specific companies who <br />offer the services associated with this initiative, two of which have made a presentation, North <br />Star Strategies and Boyette Strategic Advisors. The cost is estimated to be between $50,000 and <br />$75,000, and that depends on the deliverables that are requested in the proposal. She stated it <br />will take six to eight months, covering what our County already has in place, interviews within <br />our County, and more importantly, research outside of our County. The purpose is to find out <br />how our County is perceived by the site selectors when they are tasked with research to find new <br />locations. Members of the EDC felt this was the next most important step in our development, <br />and hoped the Commission would support it. <br />Commissioner Solari would like to see some support from the private sector on this item, <br />so that it is a public private sector partnership, if the funding was coming from the general fund <br />contingencies. He was not sure whether the City should be involved as well. <br />Administrator Baird advised the Board to consider funding through the Municipal <br />Service Taxing Unit (MSTU) or the unincorporated area so the City residents do not pay twice. <br />Helen Caseltine, Economic Development Director of the Indian River Chamber of <br />Commerce, explained that the Indian River County Chamber, in its Economic Development <br />Division, does have private sector investors at various levels of private investment, and this was <br />something she would be happy to discuss with the Board. <br />BK 144PG570 <br />November 12, 2013 17 <br />