What is economic development? For many local governments, the process is used to attract more commercial businesses in order to diversify the tax base. Project ENABLE is the name of Albemarle County’s strategic plan for economic development adopted in 2018, and the City of Charlottesville recently updated its plan for the next five years.
For the first time ever, the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission is putting together its strategic plan known as a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
“The CEDS outlines a strategic vision and actionable goals aimed at fostering economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development within our community,” reads the introduction to the 30-page document.
The TJPDC is asking people to review the document during a federally mandated public comment period that ends on April 27. The idea is to create a regional approach in a community where economic development can be a competitive endeavor. The TJPDC approach is to incorporate concepts of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
The public comment period follows one conducted for businesses last fall.
“Respondents indicated that the significant challenges facing them included retaining workers, recruiting workers, and unexpected changes in economic conditions,” reads page 10 of the document. “Businesses responded that they were confident they would see an increase in revenue over the next five years. Fifty percent (50%) of businesses were unsure of who to turn to when they faced challenges.”
If you are unfamiliar with strategic plans, they usually culminate in goals which are to be implemented through various strategies. If a strategy is in a plan, it can be used as a justification for staff to seek funding for programs. The document also lays out what groups are planning to collaborate on specific items.
For instance, Goal 1 is to “Support economic growth within existing industries while leveraging emerging market opportunities to expand economic potential in the region.”
Under that there is Strategy 1A: “Advance the region’s leading industries and seek opportunities to fill unique niches in the regional economy.”
The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy then has actions. Action 1.A.1 is to “Coordinate business development initiatives across North Fork UVA Discovery Park, Greene County, Rivanna Station (Albemarle County).”
The University of Virginia Foundation owns the North Fork Park and partners are to include the two localities, the Charlottesville Chamber of Commerce, Piedmont Virginia Community College, and UVA itself.
What do you see in the document? I’m interested to know what you think, but your input will help inform the finished product. If you want to understand what the business sector is doing, you’ll want to read through the goals, strategies, and actions. There’s a form to comment.
Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment is from the April 5, 2024 edition of the newsletter. To ensure this research can be sustained, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.
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