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EDC group looks to county's future
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| HEMPSTEAD - AngelouEconomics consultants
Jeff Marcell and Nicole Urbis led organizational development
meetings and a marketing focus group with the Waller County Economic
Development Partnership, Inc. and several community leaders on
Thursday, Nov. 13. |
The meetings are part of AE's process in developing an
Economic Development and Marketing Plan for the county. By location,
Waller County is well positioned to attract business and families
from the Greater Houston area.
The recently formed WCEDP
provides economic development leadership and service to the
county.
"We support local business expansion, start-ups, and
business recruitment. Our primary goal is to foster an environment
that promotes economic progress. This will improve the quality of
life for our citizens," said Vince Yokom, WCEDP executive
director.
In July of this year, the WCEDP hired AE to provide
economic development recommendations. WCEDP has received a Community
Assessment Report outlining the county's economic base,
demographics, and industry growth. This report also identifies
strengths to build upon and challenges that need to be addressed.
Waller County's location, leadership, workforce, and transportation
infrastructure are assets for the county to promote. In order for
the county to reach its economic development goals, it needs to
improve its land use plan, telecommunication infrastructure, and
housing options.
Over the next month, AE will deliver a
Target Industry Report identifying businesses to target for
commercial growth. Lastly, Waller County will receive an Economic
Development and Marketing Report providing practical and creative
recommendations on infrastructure, business climate, education,
workforce, and economic development efforts.
These reports
will guide economic development efforts over the next three years
and help the county reach its long-term vision. AE and the WCEDP
will have an event on Jan. 16 to announce the new economic
development plan that will shape Waller County's future.
The
county is in the first phase of an internal marketing campaign to
recruit local business leaders, educators, and public sector
representatives to the economic development team.
Jeff
Marcell, project manager with AE said, "Before a community markets
itself externally, it needs to build awareness within the community
and gain support. With Waller County's community acting as a unified
team, they can accomplish immediate goals and have a stronger
long-term impact."
"We all need to work together through this
process. It affects our lives, and certainly our children's lives.
Over the next few years, we will lay the foundation and begin to
market our county," said Tim Phelan, WCEDP board president.
During the marketing focus group meeting, county leaders
where ask to put on their thinking caps and provide input on how to
market the county.
"Waller County is a place to discover the
possibilities," Yokom said.
During the focus group,
participants were energetic and mentioned many creative ideas that
will be evaluated as AE develops a new marketing plan for the
county.
"It was great to see the enthusiasm during this focus
group. Waller County has an exceptional team of positive
individuals. If the community works together, it will succeed," said
Nicole Urbis, AE marketing strategist.
To get involved in
Waller County economic development, contact Vince Yokom at
979-921-9059 or vyokom@wallercounty.org.
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| ©Waller
County News Citizen 2003 |
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