Doing Business in Nelson County: Economic Development Authority Strategic Plan

Economic Development Authority Strategic Plan

Nelson County Economic Development Authority
2003- 04 Strategic Plan

Background
On August 18, 2003 the Nelson County Economic Development Authority Board met to construct a mission statement for the organization and a strategic plan for the upcoming twelve - eighteen months. The planning session was facilitated by John Aughenbaugh and Richard Moorefield, administrative faculty from Virginia Tech University's Office of Economic Development. Also in attendance were Maureen Corum, Director of Nelson County's Office of Economic Development and Tourism, and Steve Carter, Nelson County Administrator. The following are the results of the Authority's planning session.

Mission Statement of the Nelson County Economic Development Authority (EDA)
The mission of the Nelson County Economic Development Authority is to promote the diversity and growth of the County's economic base.

Goals of Nelson County EDA (in rank order)
1. Business and Industry Development
2. Communications and Relationships with Other Economic Development Actors
3. Education, Workforce, and Technology
4. Tourism

Goals of Nelson County EDA (Clarified via Priorities, Objectives, and Strategies within Each Goal)
Goal 1. Business and Industry Development
- Priorities for this goal:
1. Business retention and expansion
2. Rehab and renovated existing vacant buildings
3. Target industry study

Goal 2. Communications and Relationships with Other Economic Development Actors
- Objectives (in rank order):
1. Spur/encourage other economic development groups to become more active AND develop relationships with other economic development actors.
- Activities to accomplish this objective - meet with the following groups (amongst others) in the next 12 -18 months:
- Chamber of Commerce
- Hospitality and Travel Association
- NAMA
- School Board
- Farm Bureau
- Service authorities
- Planning District Commission
- Industrial Development Authorities of neighboring counties
- Historic society.
2. Get word out to public regarding what the EDA can do for community, in addition to educating the public regarding the benefits of economic development, tourism, and the like.
3. Education, Workforce, and Technology
- Objectives (in rank order):
1. Work with Nelson County School District in developing entrepreneurism, whether through courses, seminars, etc.
2. Conduct a workforce audit (labor market study).
3. Prepare for adult education and retraining needs.
4. Continue to monitor internet technology opportunities and to develop internet technology access plan for County.
4. Tourism
- Objectives (in rank order):
1. Improve signage in County
2. Diversify tourism base in County
3. Develop infrastructure to support tourism (current and future), including hotels, restaurants, workforce, housing for tourism workforce, etc.
4. Maintain inventory of tourism product and infrastructure