Economic development continues

The Sisters City Council is pursuing a multi-track approach to economic development.

At a Thursday workshop, the council agreed that City Manager Eileen Stein will contract with Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council (COIC) to update the city's current Economic Development Strategic Action Plan (EDSAP). The project is estimated to cost about $3,000. (See the online version of this story at http://www.nugget

news.com for a copy of the current 11-page EDSAP.)

The current EDSAP was developed in 2009 with substantial community involvement. It was based on an earlier version developed in 2002. It is expected that the COIC-updated EDSAP will not be available until January or February of 2013.

On a second track, by mid-October Council President David Asson will develop a "discussion document" for sector 3, Light Industrial/Manufacturing, and sector 4, Self-Employed Professionals and Home-Based Businesses of the current EDSAP. Asson has already assembled a group of local business people to assist in this effort. It is expected that the definition of these sectors will be modified to include additional similar business sectors such as software development and telecom start-ups.

Asson noted that he had received input from several people with whom he did not agree.

"There is a lack of unity; and in order for our success in the future, if we don't address that, it isn't going to work," he said. "That is becoming clearer and clearer and clearer."

Current Economic Development Manager Patty Cordoni will continue with the scope of work that she and Mac Hay have been working on for the last four years.

In agreeing with the parallel-track approach, Councilor Wendy Holzman asked Cordoni if she would be willing to stay on as an interim economic development manager for several months past the December 31 expiration of her current contract. Cordoni agreed.

There is not yet agreement on whether the permanent economic development director should be involved in developing the strategic plan, or if the director should simply be tasked to implement the plan once it is in place.

There is also not agreement on whether the scope of work for the director can be developed in parallel with the update efforts or if the director's job description needs to be developed after the EDSAP is updated.

Discussion continued over who should fund the economic development position. One thought was to get a combination of funding from the city, the chamber of commerce and the local business community.

Where the economic development manager should report also remains an open question. Suggestions included continued reporting to the council, reporting to the chamber of commerce or reporting to Economic Development for Central Oregon (EDCO).

Cordoni suggested the consideration of Redmond's model, where the economic development effort is overseen by a board of directors, with the economic development director reporting to that board.

"They have a structured reporting process already in place," said Cordoni. "That way you have your community involvement. You have the people with the knowledge that sit on an actual board that aren't just going to disperse and go somewhere else; people that are committed to staying in the project."

The council will set up a workshop meeting with Jon Stark, Redmond economic development manager since 2008, to better understand the reporting and financial structure of Redmond's economic development efforts.