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One County’s Vision for Economic Development

Rio Blanco County. One County’s Vision for Economic Development. Question of the Day:. What is economic development ???. Rio Blanco County’s Background:. 2 Municipalities: Rangely / Meeker 2 Chambers of Commerce: Rangely/Meeker Limited financial resources

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One County’s Vision for Economic Development

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  1. Rio Blanco County One County’s Vision for Economic Development

  2. Question of the Day: What is economic development ???

  3. Rio Blanco County’s Background: • 2 Municipalities: Rangely / Meeker • 2 Chambers of Commerce: Rangely/Meeker • Limited financial resources • Multiple organizations soliciting the same pool of money for ‘economic development’ initiatives • No focused or strategic approach

  4. Rio Blanco County’s Background: • Resulting Needs • Focused, Strategic plan • Align RBC with available resources & funding opportunities • Main point of contact • Identify localized issues impacting business development

  5. Why did RBC decide to invest? • What is government’s role in Economic Development • A lead organization is needed • RBC is collaborating with required entities to avoid redundant efforts • A focused approach is the only way to move forward

  6. Short Term Goals: • Identify each community’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats (SWOT) • Take a look at local regulations • Is RBC a good place to do business? • Establish county-wide consensus • Gain momentum! • Organize existing resources to eliminate duplicative efforts • Better define what ‘economic development’ means for us

  7. Long Term Goals: Diversify & sustain our economy Primary Jobs!!!

  8. What have we accomplished so far? • RBC hired a full time Economic Development Coordinator, therefore: • Increased our regional and statewide presence • Better aligned ourselves with available resources & funding options • Compiled baseline economic indicators to gauge success • Completed SWOT analysis’ for each community • Developed “RBC Economic Development Committee” • Infrastructure expansion projects • Expansion of developable land • Completion of a Trails Master Plan to capitalize on existing resources

  9. RBC’s Next Steps: • Conduct various assessments, studies & economic impact analysis’ • Better picture of our economic situation • Used to complete a strategic planning process • Revisit RBC Land Use Regulations • Leading edge of broadband expansion • Continue establishing relations between governmental players concerning future development projects • Identify business incentive programs and resources to increase competiveness for business retention and attraction • Expand business development resources

  10. Issues…. • Economic Development is “gray” – not black and white • “We’ve tried that before” mentality • Projects/initiatives are slow and not immediately visible • No baseline information to work from • We are building the plane as we are learning to fly! • What is the “purpose” of the RBC Economic Development Committee?

  11. Questions? Jeff Eskelson, RBC Commissioner jeskelson@co.ri0-blanco.co.us Katelin Cook, Economic Development Coordinator katelincook@co.rio-blanco.co.us (970) 878-9474

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