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County economic-development office completes steps on 3-star application; short- and long-term goals set
Summary
County economic development officials reported they are near completion of a state '3-star' economic development application, having held a town hall and identified short- and long-term goals including entrepreneurship, targeted sales-tax growth, expanded broadband and youth apprenticeships.
The county’s economic and community-development staff told commissioners on April 28 that they expect to complete the state '3-star' application by the May 31 deadline and expect to hear back from the state in June.
The office reported it had completed two of three outstanding tasks for the application: a town hall that drew more than 30 community participants and drafting of short- and long-term goals. The three short-term goals the group prioritized are: 1) propel entrepreneurship to entice new local businesses, 2) drive more local sales-tax revenue through targeted programs and 3) expand broadband, including exploring free Wi-Fi at public sites such as squares, community centers, libraries and ballparks. Long-term goals identified included encouraging youth apprenticeships, exploring retail opportunities on Highway 148 South (a roughly three-acre county-owned site near the solid-waste center) and opening a curated organic farmers market.
Economic development staff said a joint economic-development board meeting is scheduled for Thursday, May 1 at 11 a.m. at CoWorks, and staff will upload minutes and finalize the application. "We should know by June," the presenter said of the state decision timeline. Staff noted the office advanced the application rapidly, saying the work went "from 0 to completion" within approximately 120 days.
Why it matters: A successful 3-star designation can unlock state resources and strengthen local efforts on broadband, small-business support and workforce development; identified goals will shape future grant-seeking and program development.
What’s next: The office will upload goals into the application system by the stated deadline, hold the joint board meeting and await the state’s decision in June.
