At the last Council meeting we discussed plans to develop an economic development advisory board. This was tabled from our last meeting as there were several different approaches we had to work out. When we initially discussed the idea I made a comment that I'll summarize here. When I drive through town I see a growing number of empty store fronts. I see these as opportunities for us to bring jobs to MWC. On the flip side of the coin I hear many stories about concerns over the future of several areas in our community. We have made great strides on our 29th street development, but we have to do more to develop the other areas of the City. We have a new economic development director and he is doing wonderful work and I am enjoying working with him. After deliberation, we developed a good compromise on the advisory committee and we will soon be building that team. It will be made up of Municipal Officials, Chamber of Commerce Members, and local business owners. I pushed to add the local business owners to the group to add new perspective and ideas to our economic development conversations, and I am thankful for the Council in adopting the idea. I believe that business owners know business best and am glad to have the opportunity to have more input on the issue. I look forward to seeing the group help us to make progress in this area.
We have room for improvement, especially in the quality job creation area and finding ways to develop the area surrounding the dilapidated Heritage Park Mall.
PS I will will follow up on this post again in the future, I am never short on words about Economic Development.
Feel free to contact me with any questions or ideas!
Thanks,
Daniel McClure
danielmcclurejr@gmail.com
4059195730
