City manager outlines five-part economic development plan and tight timeline

City Manager Ethan Doherty presented an outline and timeline on Sept. 4 for Fairview’s forthcoming economic development plan, drawing on the U.S. Economic Development Administration’s comprehensive economic development strategy model. Doherty said the plan will include five sections and provided milestone dates for board updates through December.

Doherty described the plan’s five elements as: (1) a summary background that assesses current economic conditions with supporting data; (2) a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats); (3) strategic direction including vision, goals and measurable objectives; (4) an action plan with prioritized, concrete steps; and (5) an evaluation framework to measure progress. He proposed reporting to the board on Oct. 16 (background), Nov. 6 (SWOT), Nov. 20 (strategic direction), Dec. 4 (action plan) and Dec. 18 (evaluation framework).

Doherty said the city’s economic development officer and planning staff will lead the work, and staff will consult outside entities and datasets, including analysis of the 2040 comprehensive plan. He described the timeline as aggressive but achievable and said staff aim to produce measurable outcomes including a clear understanding of local economic position, a prioritized action plan and defined evaluation measures.

Commissioners thanked Doherty for the clear schedule and asked which staff would be working on the plan; Doherty said the economic development officer and planning staff would be the primary contributors, with other staff pulled in as needed. The board offered general support for the effort and no formal vote was required.