2008.01.22 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

BR & E programs to address business needs. Local elected officials Whom Should We Invite to be on the Task Force? need to learn about concerns with public services. And professional developers often have information on state and federal programs that are needed by firms. A recent Business Leaders: research project has shown that groups that have a broad- Chamber of Commerce Officers based Task Force are more likely to implement their priority Bankers or other Financial Institution Members projects than those that don't.' Local Utility Managers If you live in a sparsely populated area,you may feel that Other Business Owners or Managers you can't get everyone from all five groups. Experience has Representatives from other Development Groups shown that almost every community can find someone in Development Professionals: each of these roles. They may not live in your community, Chamber of Commerce Staff but their territory includes your community. Invite them! Regional Utility Development Professionals Regional Development Commission Staff Eligibility for Task Force Staff from other Development Groups What skills do you need to be an effective Task Force member? Task Force members need to be recognized Local Government Officials: community leaders because an influential group is needed at City Government Officials various times during the process: County Commissioners or Officials • When you need to handle the immediate concerns of Education Officials: the firms. Superintendents of Elementary and Secondary Schools • When projects are selected. Vocational School Superintendent(one covering school • When projects are presented to the public. district area) Community College Presidents Beyond being a recognized community leader,Task Force Extension Service Agent members who possess a basic understanding of the local economy and work easily with others will be effective. Other Community Leaders: Religious Leaders Other Key Leaders Volunteer Visitors' Role Volunteer Visitors must attend a two-hour orientation. During orientation,the Leadership Team will help the volunteers identify their Visitation Team member and learn how to interview firm managers or owners. They also will be assigned the(two to four)firms they will visit. This requires between six to eight hours of total time. These visits are usually done within a two-to four-week period. In previous programs,Volunteer Visitors have represented a cross-section of professions and organizations. In addition to business persons and economic development professionals—ministers,plumbers,and school superinten- dents have been Volunteer Visitors. Despite this variety,all volunteers should be enthusiastic about the program, influential in the community,and must understand the confidentiality of the information they will be gathering. 10 -- Is It for Our Community?