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City of Hugo <br /> Washington County Economic Development Study <br /> Community Engagement—Stakeholder Input <br /> October-November 2013 <br /> Purpose <br /> Develop a high-level, countywide economic development strategic plan for Washington County. <br /> Study Process <br /> • Profile the local economy and business sectors <br /> • Understand the factors that may drive economic growth in the County(and region) <br /> • Determine the current economic development resources and capacity within the county <br /> • Evaluate options for a possible expanded County role in economic development <br /> Immediate Steps <br /> • Data collection and analysis <br /> • Community engagement <br /> o Collecting information and input on perspectives from a wide variety of interested <br /> individuals and groups. <br /> o Please provide Jane Harper with names of business owners and economic development <br /> stakeholders that we should engage in the process. <br /> Strategy Questions <br /> 1. A recent survey of some communities in Washington County identified the following factors as <br /> impeding economic growth in the county. Which 2 or 3 would you say are the most critical? <br /> Which ones do you think the county should have an active role in addressing and what should that <br /> role be? <br /> • Lack of affordable housing <br /> • Lack of transit alternatives <br /> • Lack of coordinated strategy <br /> • Lack of coordinated infrastructure strategy <br /> • County's historical TIF policy(differing perspectives) <br /> • Infrastructure flexibility(regulatory restraint) <br /> • Shortage of niche financing programs(grants) <br /> • Still a slow recovery <br /> • Digital divide in parts of county <br /> • No policy on tax abatement <br /> • No economic development staff <br /> • The County is diverse—how can we effectively promote the county as a whole when areas <br /> are distinct and different(rural—low taxes) <br /> 2. What strengths does the county have that it should be playing up in attracting jobs and businesses? <br /> Please identify one or two considerations that you believe are unique or distinct to Washington <br /> County that can be a positive asset to economic development within the county. Some that have <br /> been identified include the following. <br />