Economic Development Plan Update: Public Invited to Take Online Marketing & Airport Surveys
Marketing Plan Surveys
As part of the Town of Erie Economic Development Marketing Plan currently under development, the Town has posted online surveys to solicit input related to respondent’s perceptions of: Erie’s quality of life; the Town as a good place to do business and as a place where employees would choose to live; and preferred business and industry categories. Erie business owners, developers, commercial landowners, and real estate agents are invited to share their opinions about the Town of Erie by completing the online Perception Survey. Additionally, the Public Survey is an opportunity for members of the general public to provide input. Both Surveys close Sunday, July 26th at midnight.
BACKGROUND: The Town’s Economic Development Marketing Plan sets out to concisely detail a structured approach to attracting Primary Employers*. Target industries identified by the Town are based upon alignment with the State of Colorado Economic Development agenda and include Aerospace, Bioscience and Renewable Energy.
*Primary Employers: According to a recent report published by the Northern Colorado Economic Development Corporation, it is generally accepted that a Primary Employer is a business or organization that generates a substantial portion of their revenues through exporting goods and services from the region. For example a manufacturing company might make a product that it sells in a global rather than a local market. An engineering firm might have customers throughout the US. In both instances, each business's economic activity would bring new money to the local economy.
Airport Economic Development Survey
Boyd Group International is conducting the Erie Airport Economic Development Study on behalf of the Town of Erie. The study will include: an assessment of the Erie Airport Economic Development Study Area (airport and adjacent property that is predominately zoned “Light Industrial”) with regard to what types of development it will support; an assessment of current and proposed surrounding land uses within the Study Area to determine what types of development could be supported; and an assessment of possible public funding mechanisms to expand infrastructure to open more of the property for development.
Input from airport tenants and users, stakeholders and the community is vital to the study and important to maximizing economic development and enhancing quality of life in the Town of Erie. Survey closes Sunday, July 26th at midnight.
Erie Airport Economic Development Survey
Town of Erie Economic Development Plan Background
With the realization of Erie’s significant development potential and seeking independent confirmation of the Town’s economic enhancement activities, the Town of Erie determined during 2006 that it would benefit from a focused effort directed toward economic development. Early in 2007, the Erie Board of Trustees authorized a contract ($25,000) with Upstate Colorado Economic Development to construct an economic development plan. Concurrently, the Board appointed an ad hoc committee to work with Upstate to develop a plan that was to be sensitive to the economic realities and political desires as expressed in the Town’s Comprehensive Plan. In November 2007, the Board accepted and authorized funding ($150,000) for the Town of Erie Economic Development Plan as proposed by the ad hoc committee. The Economic Development Plan includes thirty two specific actions that address the following goals:
· Expand the retail/commercial business base of the Town of Erie.
· Provide the opportunity for Erie residents to pursue meaningful employment within their community.
· Create an environment that facilitates quality development, and starting, expanding and operating a business.
· Build the reputation of the Town of Erie as a quality location for living, business and employment.
At the request of the Town of Erie Board of Trustees, the Economic Development Plan Working Group (EDPWG) is charged with executing the various action items of the plan. The EDPWG is made up of the following entities: the Erie Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Erie, and the EEDC.
Economic Development Plan Working Group
· Erie Chamber of Commerce: President, Dr. Sally Towner; Executive Director, Elle Cabbage
· Town of Erie: Trustee Tina Harris; Trustee Colin Towner
· EEDC: President, Don Huntress III; Director, Dena Mill
MORE INFORMATION
As part of the Economic Development Plan, the Town of Erie has created an economic development liaison and business assistance function to assist companies regarding business resources including: existing retail, employment, infrastructure fees, permitting, special event sponsorship & marketing opportunities, community investment, incentives, planning & zoning, codes, and licensing. For more information, please contact Fred Diehl, Assistant to the Town Administrator at 303-926-2764 or fdiehl@erieco.gov.
To view the Town of Erie Economic Development Plan, please visit www.erieco.gov/economic_development.
