Business Retention and Development Committee Agenda and Packet 2011 04 04

Home Browse Search

Governor Hickenlooper Launches Colorado’s Bottom-Up Economic Development Plan Initiative – Join the conversation! Purpose, Objectives and Outcomes Governor Hickenlooper understands that the number one priority of the residents of the State of Colorado is to rebuild the economy and create jobs. To do this, the Governor’s Office and the Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade has partnered with Colorado State University’s Office of Engagement and Extension to engage Coloradoans in a statewide conversation about Economic Development. Governor Hickenlooper is asking for residents across the State, county by county, to share their stories, challenges, and strengths by developing a strategic economic development plan for their county. These county plans will then be rolled up into 14 regional economic development plans, which collectively will be rolled up into a statewide economic development plan. Why Governor Hickenlooper has launched a bottom-up initiative: To identify economic development priorities for each county; To reach the widest range of interests and assure the greatest amount of input possible; To assure that the Statewide Economic Development Strategy is truly representative of all 64 counties To develop a real and sustainable partnership between all 64 counties and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT); and To develop Colorado’s statewide economic development strategy, a framework that will show us how we will work together, find new solutions, address our very real challenges, and rebuild our economy. Specific outcomes desired: Local ownership of economic development across the state; Trust and respect between government and communities; Engaged and ongoing conversations with business and industry; Retain and create jobs for Colorado residents; Identify innovative and/or “best practices” economic development ideas for implementation and replication respectively; and Create a more competitive Colorado. Your Role We invite you to actively participate in your county’s economic development planning processes. Provide input and ideas and ask friends, family, neighbors and others to participate as well. Attend planning meetings, take the online survey (www.advancecolorado.com), or send us an email at input@state.co.us. Please note that if a specific county is conducting its own survey, citizens are strongly encouraged to first complete the county survey and only take the state-provided survey as a second option if they have an interest in completing both surveys. The results from the state’s on-line survey will be compiled by county and provided to each county. In support of the bottom-up approach, each county will determine its use and the relevance of such information. The County’s Role Each County’s Role includes: Submit the most recent county and/or regional economic development plan (if the county wants this information posted) to OEDIT via input@state.co.us or the link posted on OEDIT’s website;