Input sought on economic development

Sisters Country residents are being invited to attend what's being called a "strategy session" on Wednesday, April 22, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Sisters High School Drama Room.

The Community Action Team of Sisters (CATS), along with the Sisters Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Sisters, are spearheading an effort to involve all residents in the second updating of the Sisters Economic Development Strategic Action Plan.

The action plan was last revised back in April of 2005 by CATS with the help of Jennifer Houston, former Business Development Manager with EDCO (Economic Development for Central Oregon.) The original plan was created by CATS in 2002.

The overall goal of the April 2005 revised plan was to "balance economic growth with quality of life." The revised plan further stated that, "local economic development efforts should strive to provide members of the community satisfying and useful work, economic security and stability, access to recreational and cultural activities, good educational opportunities, health care, and affordable housing."

The 2005 revised plan was designed to focus on seven identified "key sectors." These included retail, natural resources/agribusiness, light industrial/manufacturing, entrepreneurial/home-based businesses, professional services, tourism, culture/arts, and real estate/development.

Specific strategy goals, to be accomplished by committees assigned to each of the seven sectors, were established. They included fostering collaboration and communication among the diverse sectors of the community, maintaining and enhancing the cultural uniqueness and environmental qualities of the Sisters area, identifying and responding to the needs of existing businesses, attracting new qualified businesses to the area, and cultivating the development of a skilled, educated workforce.

Fast forward almost exactly four years.

Sisters has experienced turnover in city staff, city council members, chamber directors (two), committee members assigned to the 2005 revised plan, and an ongoing reorganization of CATS.

As if that wasn't enough turmoil, a national recession hit officially in December 2007, the local housing market took a nosedive, the school district experienced declining enrollment, and Sisters was saddled in March of 2008 with a "severely distressed community" designation by the state's Economic & Community Development Department (OECDD.)

The designations for 2009 are due out next month and it's expected that Sisters will retain the "severely distressed" designation.

Despite this gloomy assessment, CATS board members Eileen Stein and Erin Borla remain optimistic about the results of the upcoming April 22 strategy session.

During the introductory remarks at the strategy session, they plan to speak to accomplishments achieved since the very first plan was developed in 2002. When asked if an almost 10-year-old economic development plan could still be relevant to the economic turmoil of 2009, Stein replied, "I would argue that the basic elements of the plan created 10 years ago are still relevant. Some elements of the plan will get stronger and some weaker based on current conditions."

Erin Borla, Executive Director of the Sisters Chamber, recently spoke to the "new energy" evident in the community.

"We've got a whole bunch of engaged citizens now, people who are devoted to bettering our community," said Borla.

CATS, the city, and the chamber are counting on Sisters Country residents to take an active role in the April 22 strategy session. And with several new community action groups formed since 2005 (SBART-Sisters Business Acquisition & Retention Team, SVA-Sisters Village Association, CCI-Committee for Citizen Involvement) the goal is to get any and all energized residents working on aspects of the 2009 plan.

Facilitator for the three-hour session will be Scott Aycock, Program Administrator with Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC.)

"We'll have seven tables corresponding to each of the seven key sectors set up with a facilitator," said Aycock. "After the introductory remarks, attendees will have a chance to review each sector and make comments. Each facilitator will then combine all the comments and present them to the entire group. My goal, when we finish, is to have goals, actions, and responsibilities assigned for the revised economic development plan."

Erin Borla agrees with Aycock about the "deliverables" of this strategy session.

"This is not just another community meeting; we're coming together to create a revised economic development plan with strategies and responsibilities," said Borla.

There is clearly energy and enthusiasm within the community to revitalize the Sisters economy. Perhaps the greatest challenge is not creating a revised economic development plan - but managing and "benchmarking" the various people and groups who will take on the responsibilities of execution.

Speaking to this challenge, Erin Borla commented, "My hope is that CATS will be the overseer of the new revised plan."

One of those new community groups, SBART, is excited by the creation of a revised economic development plan.

"It looks like an outstanding effort to get all the groups on the same page AND share the efforts of the community for some common goals. I'm looking forward to the meeting and am eager to participate in the community effort," said Mac Hay, Chair of SBART.