My 2012 Post Highland County Economic Development Department Solution Reblog

I'm reblogging this post I wrote in late 2012. It was an outline on how to refund a County Economic Development Department. The Goal was to receive buy in from the communities. This idea would develop a strategic foundation for future growth, as well as offer a built in measurement tool. Each Community would be asked to provide funding and in return would have individual projects that are important for the community development, economic development and strategic growth. More detail withing the post below.

Jeremy Shaffer, County Commissioner

 

 

REBLOG FROM My Post on My Older County Commissioner Blog 10/2/2012

Outline of Highland County Economic Development Department Solutions

The following is an outline of creating an Economic and Community Development Department in Highland County. It is a work tool, and does not offer every solution, however it is a draft of what some of the solutions may look like. Economic and Community Development is important to many aspects of Highland County. It affects employment, quality of life, safety, and health.

I believe the Commission should take the lead in developing a Department that doesn't just include all the Municipalities and communities within the county, but a Economic and Community Development Department that each community and organization can take ownership in.

It is sensible for the commission to develop this now, and it is an opportunity to show the rest of Ohio, how it can be done from the grassroots level. We all know what our communities need here on the local level, and it doesn't need to be dictated from the State or Federal Government. Though in order to show the upper management just that, we must take this opportunity to prove it.

The outline below is a work tool, and needs to be changed and grow. I would welcome additions and ideas that are real solutions to Economic Development. The beginning is a short history, which needs more information so that we can see where the County came from.

The following section briefly covers, groups and government organizations that the County takes some ownership in. Below that are the Economic Development contacts surrounding Highland County.

There are a few solutions, that are put together to guide future discussion. I currently like the option that has Communities and the County sharing in responsibility and funding for a Development Department. Lastly there are a few statements of what we may attempt to attain, and look for through this process. This is a process to create and organize a true driver for Community and Economic Development in Highland County, Ohio.

Economic Development is Important to Highland County Citizens and Businesses

Highland County Economic Development

http://highlandcountyeconomicdevelopment.co.highland.oh.us/

Quick History as Currently Understood at this time:

1989 through 1995 Enterprise Center for Economic Development Dan Cowdrey Director – State of Ohio initiative that covered following region: Adams, Brown, Highland –

1995 through 200_ - The Ohio State University hired Consultant to assist with similar region as Enterprise Center – (Dan Cowdrey)

From 1995 through 200_ - Partnership with Great Oaks and Chamber of Commerce for Economic Development and Education within the Great Oaks Region with dedicated directors. – Tom Wyatt , Harry Snyder, Melanie ______

2008- 2010 Highland County Economic Development Office

March 2010 March 2011 Highland County utilized Regional Economic Recovery Coordinator Rafael Underwood – EDA assistance through OVRDC – (serving Highland, Clinton, Fayette)

2011- Currently Commissioners Office working on Case by Case basis, with other Civic & Business Groups

Resource’s Highland County is a Member or has interest in:

Ohio Valley Regional Development Commission

Jobs Ohio Region - Appalachian Partnership for Economic Growth

Highland County Revolving Loan

Highland County CIC

Grow Highland County http://growhighlandcounty.wordpress.com/

Resource’s outside of Highland County (Regionally) not a Member or limited interest:

Economic Development Alliance of Southern Ohio – Chris Manegold – Ross County

Clinton County Economic Development – Bret Dixon, Director

Fayette County Economic Development – Rob Hedrick, Director

Adams County Economic Development – Holly Johnson, Director

Pike County Economic Development – Ken Reed, Director

Brown County Economic Development – Kelly Cole, Director

Above Listing does not include any Local City or Village Initiative within surrounding Counties.

It’s Our responsibility in the Commissioner’s Office to provide some kind of organized Economic Development to Highland County.

Highland County Pop. 40,875 (2000)

Seven Incorporated Towns and 17 Townships

· Highland

· Greenfield

· Leesburg

· Lynchburg

· Mowrystown

· Sinking Spring

· City of Hillsboro

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Regional Contractual Approach – Solution:

Contract with an existing Economic Development Department

Estimated Needed Funding $ $30,000

Negotiate Pay and Development Services

1. Contact Surrounding Counties about Contracting a Director

2. Negotiate an amount

3. County Commission dictates directives with information on hand.

4. Outline and share what the Commission would wish to achieve.

5. Director acts as point person for future business inquiries

6. Director Voice for Outreach to New business

7. Put a reporting system in place.

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Regional Collaborative Approach - Solution

Estimated Funding ?

A. Contact surrounding Counties

B. Put together a Regional Plan, collaborating with surrounding Counties goals and expectations

C. Put an action plan together along with a Budget.

D. Build from Ground Up using a County Economic Development Department as an Outline for new Regional Department.

E. Research Case studies and examples of existing collaboratives

Current Approach

Continue with Current Referral Plan - Solution

Commissioners Office outreach to business and Community Groups

React as needed and information arises.

Outreach through Internet, local contacts, regional contacts as needed.

Local Approach - Solution:

Economic and Community Development Department

Estimate Needed Funding $50,000 to $65,000

Community Buy-In would have to be in Two Ways

One- Monetarily

Highland County Providing Seed Money $15,000 to $30,000 in Upcoming 2013 Budget (Part-Time/ Temporary Cost of an Employee)

Communities providing an appropriate dollar amount totaling proposed and agreed budget. Cost might run from $3,000 to $7,000 for a very minimum funding allocation.

Two – Local Plans and Initiatives

Each Community would have to provide an attainable goal (project) and assist in a plan to achieve the goal.

Each Community would have to provide a list of possible projects to be used as a guide for the Director.

Each Community would have to take local ownership by providing a list of local attractions, possible local incentives, community resources, community property inventory and community outline.

Possible Community Needs Assessment?

(Basics and Beginning of Comprehensive Plan?!)

Director – Will be Responsible for Marketing, Outreach, Organization, Reporting, Progress, and Regional Partnership.

Information has to be Meaningful and Outcome Measurable! What the Commission gets, if nothing else, is information that is the backbone of County Economic and community Development from the communities that can easily attain and decipher the information.

Additional Options and ideas Not Addressed or listed above?

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It is our Job to Listen to the Needs of Highland County. We have an Opportunity to establish a working Economic Development Department in Highland County.

Additional – Resource and Needs Assessment is important, it can drive different development than is expected. Case studies exist that have researched certain businesses are staples in local economies and provide for growth. Certain businesses are needed to promote additional growth.

Additional – Going outside existing mainstream sources of business contacts is important. Outreach to trade organizations, investment firms, and market segments that fit with current available resources or community needs. (focus on local market demands)

Additional – Community Buy-In and Ownership of process is important for a successful outcome.

Additional – Community resources, Community Needs, strategic goal oriented planning are needed in order to drive the correct Economic Development Plan.

Economic Development is a Process. We cannot go at it like we are killing snakes.

I understand the above is only as accurate as the information available to me and that other solutions may exist. It is important to look at varying sides and solutions before a conclusion can be drawn.

Jeremy Shaffer

Commissioner

10/2/12