Group hopes to assist with city growth, development
Staff reporter
The concept of an economic development board worked in Wichita County. So why couldn't it work for the City of Marion?
That's the approach Todd Heitschmidt is taking with the organization of Marion Economic Development, Inc.
With Heitschmidt's leadership, a group of residents, business owners, and former city economic development advisory board members are in the process of organizing the not-for-profit board.
The first order of business is to get a handle on planning and other activities related to economic growth.
Heitschmidt, who represented the group, recently asked Marion City Council to consider allowing the organization to be in charge of the city's economic development department including the supervision of the economic development director.
Council members told Heitschmidt they would consider the arrangement and to have an agreement drawn.
When city attorney Dan Baldwin was contacted, he recommended the council pass an ordinance, similar to the one that established the library board.
The library board functions under the city umbrella, receiving funds through a separate mill levy. However, the library board activities (purchases, expenses, and personnel) are determined by the library board and not city officials.
"The organization is suggesting that the city continue to provide funding as planned in the 2008 budget for economic development but the organization would be in charge of expenses and supervise the director," Heitschmidt said.
With this arrangement, the economic development director would be a city employee with city benefits (health insurance, KPERS, sick leave, vacation pay, etc.). Instead of the economic development director answering to the administrator or council, the Marion Economic Development, Inc. would answer to the council.
"I was involved with Wichita County Development, Inc., and this would be the same framework," Heitschmidt said.
The Wichita County organization has a proven successful track record of which Heitschmidt was a part before relocating to Marion and taking the job as president of Central National Bank in September 2006.
The Wichita County organization has been in place for 10 years, which was developed around a grant that required broad-based community involvement.
In Wichita County, the economic development director's position is funded 50 percent by the City of Leoti and 50 percent by Wichita County. The board is independent of city or county.
Initially grant funds were used to start the organization but the group obtained revolving loan receipts and rental proceeds. The organization also had buildings and land donated to it which could have been used as development incentives.
Regardless of the outcome of the council accepting the organization's assistance in economic development, the organization's focus will continue with short and long-term economic development and community development plans.
One misconception, Heitschmidt said, that continues is the thinking that the economic development director's job description is part of a plan and a way to measure success.
Clear benchmarks need to be established for the position to determine if the professional is doing his or her job.
Another goal is to prioritize economic development and community development.
"Another misconception is thinking community development is economic development," Heitschmidt said. "Community development is not economic development."
He continued that there may be a need to change the position title to include community development.
"It's unreasonable to have immeasurable expectations for that position," Heitschmidt said.
Another concept with the organization is if a person is hired with years of economic development experience in another community, a program could be developed around that person.
Heitschmidt also sees the organization's role is to make recommendations to the city council regarding projects. When projects are presented to the city council for consideration, the council will ask the organization for recommendations.
The organization's board also will assist the economic development professional in courting new businesses.
So, who can join this organization?
The board's permanent members will include the mayor or a council member, representatives from Central National Bank, Marion National Bank, Tampa State Bank, USD 408, St. Luke Hospital, Marion Planning Commission, Marion Chamber of Commerce, Marion Advancement Campaign, and the city's economic development director.
Members of the organization are all Marion residents. Business owners also are members, regardless of their residency, Heitschmidt said.
At-large positions are currently being filled by the membership and are staggered during the next three years. Three at-large positions will expire in 2008 and will be filled at the annual meeting in November.
Two student at-large board of director positions will be filled from the Marion High School sophomore or junior class.
The membership is encouraged to participate in one of the several committees. Committee meetings usually are scheduled once a month.
The board of directors meet at 7 p.m. the third Wednesday of each month in the St. Luke Clinic basement. These are open meetings and the public is invited to attend.
The next meeting is tonight (Wednesday).
For more information contact Heitschmidt at (620) 382-2013 or theitschmidt@yahoo.com.
