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Sara Satinsky December 14, 2009 PLAN 773 / Fall 2009 Dr. Meenu Tewari POSSIBLE METRICS FOR AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT GOAL STATEMENT INTRODUCTION This document reports findings for the task of identifying metrics for an Economic Development Goal Statement written by the Orange County Commissioners in North Carolina, and recommends next steps. Specifically, the statement says the Commissioners aim to, "Implement planning and economic development policies, which create a balanced, dynamic local economy that promotes diversity, sustainable growth, and enhanced revenue while embracing community values." To the author's knowledge, there is no single set of metrics to assess county economic development. This document is intended as a starting point for the Commissioners. It was written through the lens of an adaptive process that is a hybrid of a top -down approach to measurement in which an outside expert suggests quantitative measurements and a bottom -up approach rooted in an entirely participatory process in which Commissioners choose and prioritize measures (Reed, Fraser, & Dougill, 2006). The end result is that those using the metrics (e.g., the Commissioners or otherwise appointed responsible party) will determine the final list, but not the author of this document. The document is written as both a paper to fulfill course requirements and a memo with the intended audience of the Commissioners, their staff, and volunteers who work with the Board. As a paper for coursework, it includes features unlikely for a memo, such as the names of researchers, a works cited page, and double- spacing. As a memo, it is formatted with page breaks so that sections can be removed and used individually, as would not typically be seen in a paper. Subsequent sections include: i) background on measurement ii) a description of the methods used in research for this document iii) definitions of key phrases and their characteristics, and iv) a list of action items.