Hiring a consultant to brand and market the Mitchell region is one of many regional economic development strategies that were unveiled this afternoon by the Regional Economic Development Subcommittee of Focus 2020.

Focus 2020 is a local, long-range planning group that was formed in September. Today's report is the last of eight to be issued from the Focus 2020 subcommittees. The next step is a review of the reports by Focus 2020's Coordination Assistance Team.

The Regional Economic Development Subcommittee says in its report that a consultant should be hired "to develop a brand and marketing plan for our region – to raise our region’s profile nationally as a destination for business, talent and visitors."

The subcommittee proposes that work begin on the proposal next month and that brand development and implementation begin in June 2010. The Regional Development Association, housed in the Mitchell Area Development Corporation office, is identified as the likely "project champion," and unspecified "public/private regional sources" are identified as funding sources.

Following are all of the subcommittee's recommendations, as presented in a PowerPoint presentation. For more information about each recommendation and about the subcommittee's supportive findings, read Thursday's print and online editions of The Daily Republic.

Short-term recommendations

1) Establish an on-going dialogue among regional communities regarding growth and development.

Goal:Utilizing Regional Development Association (RDA), invite communities/counties from region to join RDA in the next six months.

Proposed Timeline: Summer/Fall 2009

Project Champion: RDA

Funding:Avera and Current RDA Communities.

2) Create an economic plan for the region.

Goal:Invite the region to participate in the development of an economic growth plan for the region in the next 12 months.

Proposed Timeline: Summer 2009 –Spring 2010

Project Champion: MADC, RDA and newly created regional business alliance.

Funding:Public and Private Sources.

3) Create a quality image of the region through marketing, branding and advertising.

Goal:Hire a consultant to develop a brand and marketing plan for our region –to raise our region’s profile nationally as a destination for business, talent and visitors.

Proposed Timeline: Organize –June 2009 / Brand Development and Implementation –June 2010

Project Champion: Regional Development Assn. and other public/private partners.

Funding:Public/Private Regional Sources.

4) Foster a culture of entrepreneurship in the region and assist high growth entrepreneurs.

Goal:Enhance and Support the following efforts:

-Public celebration of successful entrepreneurs;

-K-12 business and economic education;

-Post-secondary entrepreneurship education;

-Increase access to equity and risk capital; and

-Assistance of regional inventors and entrepreneurs

Proposed Timeline: Next 12 months.

Project Champion: MADC, Kelley Center, RDA, School Districts

Funding:Partially funded from existing sources.

5) Grow the economic and industrial base of region through retention, expansion and recruitment of business and industry.

Goals:

a)Increase employment in the region in export based business by 5% over the next 10 years.

b)Increase regional population by 2,000 more people by the year 2020 (5% increase over the next 10 years within six county region).

Proposed Timeline: Ongoing.

Project Champion: MADC and RDA

Funding:Funding from existing sources.

Long-term recommendations

1) Enhance Workforce Recruitment and Development Efforts. Strategies include:

a)A regional “Come Home” Program;

b)Assist local employers in accessing national employment markets;

c)Effective “One Stop” web-based community info assistance for the region;

d)Increase traditional student enrollment at the regional post secondary institutions;

e) Work with school districts and post-secondary institutions (i.e. MTI) in workforce readiness and technical training.

Proposed Timeline: Ongoing over next 10 years.

Project Champion: Mitchell Area Chamber, K-12 and Post Secondary Education in the region, and SD Department of Labor.

Funding: TBA

2) Consider ways to assist regional communities in housing development.

Goal: Carefully explore ways in which a regional approach to community housing development could be useful in mitigating local housing politics.

Proposed Timeline: Next 1 –3 years.

Project Champion: RDA and District III Planning and Development Assoc.

Funding:TBA

3) Assist with regional alternative energy development.

Goal: Include energy production as part of the regional economic development strategy.

Project Champion: RDA and District III Planning and Development Assoc.

Funding:TBA

Proposed Timeline: Next 1-3 years.

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