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Task force begins looking at EDC by-laws
By Justin Goble
Members of the Economic Development task force met Monday (Jan. 22) to discuss revised by-laws that would allow participation from county officials and representatives from Southwestern Community College.
One of the main topics was the overlying purpose of the EDC. As it is laid out in new by-laws, the commission “is to promote the general warfare and prosperity of the people of Jackson County through overall economic growth and development by increasing the number and quality of jobs, career opportunities and employment potential.”
While agreeing that goal is commendable, county representative and Commissioners’ Chairman Brian McMahan said he thought the new EDC should be more specific.
“We (commissioners) felt the purpose is real vague,” McMahan said. “If we don’t show on paper that the way we did business before is different than the way we do business now, then how will people know anything has changed?
“In the past, the EDC has been about recruiting industry,” McMahan said. “In my personal opinion, the EDC’s goal should be to try and keep the jobs we have. We need to save what we’ve got.”
Commissioner Tom Massie, who was in the audience, also addressed the commission’s purpose.
“Some of us would feel more confident with a more focused approach,” Massie said. “We’re looking at growth here. What are we trying to do? If we’re successful (in promoting economic growth), it may solve all of our problems; it may create more.”
Though agreeing that the EDC needs definite direction, board member Chris Matheson said it would not be wise to make that a part of the commission’s by-laws. Doing so would not allow the EDC to change its goals to meet changing needs.
“The general purpose statement is vague so that we don’t tie our hands,” Matheson said. “Instead of changing that, another approach is to set target goals. We can set an agenda, and once the new EDC is established, we can take this goal as the next step. We can assess our goals every year or six months and target growth in certain areas.”
Sylva representative Stacy Knotts suggested the task force develop a mission statement that would set forth the new board’s goals while allowing the board to change its focus depending on the economic climate. SCC representative and President Cecil Groves agreed with this suggestion.
“I looked at a number of policies and by-laws from other economic development commissions,” Groves said. “A lot of them are generally vague in purpose. A working document is usually provided later. The focus of an EDC is hard to point out in a general document.”
Another issue brought up was the status of representatives from SCC and Western Carolina University. Under the current draft of the by-laws, representatives from the schools would serve as two of the nine voting members allowed by statutes on an EDC board.
However, the EDC’s prior set of by-laws had representatives from both schools serving in a non-voting, advisory manner.
Massie said that while opinions from both SCC and WCU are needed to help with economic growth in the area, it might be wiser to allow the two schools to have non-voting representatives and open up their slots to members from the business community.
“Local governments appoint people, and they may or may not have private sector experience whatsoever,” Massie said. “There’s no financial expertise, and that’s what you need, especially when you’re loaning out large sums of money. You need someone who handles money like that as a profession. Someone who, as a profession, evaluates good risks and bad risks and brings that recommendation to the board.”
Groves and WCU representative Alan Thornburg were both receptive to these suggestions.
“I think Tom has a good point,” Groves said. “In terms of economic development, I think it’s important that SCC and WCU be at the table. Just because they may not vote doesn’t mean they shouldn’t participate. But I think there should be a way for businesses to be at the table as well.”
“This is my first rodeo,” Thornburg said. “If the chancellor has a big problem with (WCU not voting), I’m sure I’ll hear about it.”
Massie also suggested allowing a representative from the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority to serve as an advisory member. That way, he said EDC members can see where water and sewer lines are and are planning to go, which will allow officials to plan for economic growth more effectively.
“I think, bare bones, you at least need (TWSA Director) Joe Cline on the board as a non-voting member,” Massie said. “That way, if a business comes in we have a direct conduit to the people who want to tap on to the infrastructure and the people who provide that service.”
That idea prompted Matheson to suggest creating a board of advisors to serve along with the nine voting members. This would allow the commission to hear from business owners throughout the county.
“That way we can bring more people to the table,” she said. “They may not have a vote, but they can serve in an advisory position. I think the more input we have, the better.”
Though no final decisions were made Monday night, Sylva Mayor and EDC Co-Chairman Brenda Oliver said she would like to see a new EDC board in place by July 1.
The task force will meet again Monday, Feb. 26, at 5 p.m. in Sylva Town Hall to continue discussing the proposed by-laws.
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