As you noted, I do tend to emphasize the importance of community. There’s much more to economic development than its “dollars and cents” aspect. The ultimate objective is, or should be, community betterment.

You’re absolutely correct that a well-developed Web presence is pivotal to local economic development efforts. Although actual numbers are difficult to pinpoint, in excess of eighty-five percent of all initial development inquiries are the result of Web-based contacts. That indicates the need for a strong commitment to the Web, including Web 2.0 networking tools.

As I mentioned above (and in another post), I’m not persuaded by the “Municipal Economic Director” model. I believe an independent economic development entity–as utilized by Freeport, Kewanee, and others–might best have been pursued.

Still,I am a proponent of having an economic development professional exclusively dedicated to the interests of La Salle. The decidedly mixed results we’ve experienced through regional endeavors argue for a “La Salle Centric” approach.

Again, good “talking” with you.

As you said, there is much work to be done along these lines. Most people know I worked for the city for the last few years, and as time permitted we were working on achieving this. As you said, all of this can be done now even though there is little chance of attracting business. Now is the time to continue our past efforts at finalizing a new comprehensive plan and improving our infrastructure and streetscapes.

Because of the economy & city finances, I didn’t agree with hiring someone dedicated to this, and as you said, the one year review is not really a realistic format. I think with the work that needs to be done and the limited development options right now due to the economy, LaSalle had other choices that would have cost less or the same and achieved greater success in one year’s time. Particularly because I understand the person hired has little to no economic development experience or training. And even Mayor Grove admitted at the meeting the city will be paying to train this person.

So in the end, I would have rather seen the city continue the social media efforts we started such as Website development, Twitter, Facebook, etc. and then hired a group like North Central Council of Governments (a trained, professional group of planners) to implement community meetings and develop a comprehensive plan and development program.

First of all, no discernible effort has been made to introduce and explain the development process to city residents. Combine that with the unrealistically high expectations that have been fostered and the nebulous goals that have been set, and our new program’s prospects for success may already have been undermined.

Community economic development is a long-term process, and much of the most important work is tedious foundation building. There are simply no quick remedies, and anyone who expects immediate results will undoubtedly be disappointed. Unfortunately, by instituting a one-year review, the need for immediate and visible achievements is clearly implied.

Also, by establishing (and solely funding) a municipal office of economic development, La Salle has embarked on a program that embraces yesterday’s model. The field is evolving, and it now seems the most effective approach to community economic development employs a public-private partnership coordinated–not directed–by a separate and independent entity. The Northwest Illinois Development Alliance, Freeport’s economic development corporation, is one such example.

Furthermore, community economic development has grown into a dynamic profession. There is much more to it than putting together a solicitation packet and selling the city. I’m disappointed our municipal policymakers didn’t take the time to develop a more thorough, sophisticated, and collectively-accepted understanding of the process and the profession. Without that, how can the new program’s performance be effectively monitored and assessed?

Finally, I disagree with you on one point. Despite the challenging overall economy, this is a fine time to institute a community economic development program. Given the long-term, continuous nature of the process, there is much groundwork to be accomplished. That can be done at any point in the economic cycle, and could provide a sound foundation for development efforts when the general economy is more healthy.

Thank you very much for providing this forum.