Independent Economic Development Task Force

1. Independent Economic Development Task Force Meeting #7 October 2, 2013 K. Gleasman

2. Agenda • Review and approve meeting notes from Mtg #6 • Transylvania County Economic Statistics, Mark Burrows • Status agency discussions (progress from 9/18/13) – All* • Summary Slides – Karen* • Definition of Economic Development • Decision criteria • Potential targeted industries • Calendar* • Compare with Henderson County – D. Bradford • Product Development Task Force – K. Gleasman • Other topics from task force* • Public Comment • Adjourn * These topics were deferred until 10/9/13

3. Review and approve meeting notes from Mtg #6

4. Transylvania County Economic Statistics

5. Status for agency discussions • On average in less than 5 minutes per; focus on progress since 9/18/13…. • Re-Connection made? • Any issues? • Other progress relative to these discussions

6. Definition of Economic Development “Economic development is a process by which a community creates, retains, and reinvests wealth, and improves the quality of life.” David Dodson, MDC Inc, Chapel Hill, NC

7. Decision criteria for EDO decision • Economic development is a process by which a community creates, retains, and reinvests wealth, and improves the quality of life • Covers all seven elements of solid approach to economic development • Recruitment – soliciting companies to come or start here, includes marketing • Existing Industry Effort • Small Business Development • Entrepreneurial Development • Workforce Development – EDO consolidates needs and facilitates solutions • Economic Culture Creation • Vision/Leadership/Accountability – includes metrics related to mission and funding • Anticipated good return on financial investment • Great utilization of human capital including terrific volunteer base • User friendly – east to access, explain, and understand • Active engagement of the whole of the county • Clear communication and cooperation amongst parts

8. Targeted industry brainstormed list 10/2/2013

9. Summary of discussion with EON Chair • EON: Economic Opportunity Network (Formerly Senior Resource Network) • Chaired by Joe Wilbanks • Offered to do research on behalf of this task force, e.g. • Benchmark economically, most successful counties in NC and correlate with economic development organization structure • Could either be done by experienced volunteers or through Brevard College students • Promised to be unbiased source of information

10. Calendar other topics • Compare with Henderson County – D. Bradford • Product Development Task Force – K. Gleasman

11. Other topics from task force members

12. Public Comment – new process • Our meetings are full (i.e. long) • We do not want to limit public comment • Will ask that public comment be: • sent to this email address: TCIEDTF@gmail.com or • provided in writing prior to or after each meeting. • New email will be accessible to all task force members • Karen Gleasman will ensure written comments are passed on to all task force members

13. Adjourn

14. Roadmap to complete 3 tasks • Have brainstormed list of 24 targeted industries • Reviewed and modified: • TC Assets • TC Challenges • Targeted companies profile • Approach to econ development • Branding • Marketing 9/11/2013 underway