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Steve Brantley advised that staff has been coming up with some suggestions similar to this in the past <br />couple of months. With the diversified backgrounds of the Board, its members can focus on special <br />areas and discuss. <br />D.R. Bryan asked about outside consultants to do that or work with the County. Steve confirmed it <br />could be possible to fund a consultant. <br />James Watts asked if a corollary benefit for industrial would be learning about other uses for those <br />potential areas within the district. <br />Nitan Khanna asked to focus on what we can drive the most and the fastest, if it's about development, <br />then it's about the growth of the economy. To paraphrase, "to target something that is really hard to <br />accomplish will take a lot longer. To accomplish something that is close to us is more approachable <br />and should be the first target. We could all then decide if that segment is the right segment to go <br />after from the marketing standpoint, from the SWOT analysis standpoint and zoning based on those <br />priorities. If it's retail, let's focus on retail or industrial." <br />Jim Kitchen believes that is what the SWOT analysis should determine and then Economic <br />Development can pursue it. <br />Ron Keizer thinks we first need to do more general work first and then apply it to each of those areas, <br />and any others that may come up to the surface during the analysis. <br />D.R. Bryan asked staff to come up with concepts they view as strengths, weaknesses and opportunities <br />and then have this Board create a subcommittee to review those issues. Afterwards there will be <br />more information for the committee to possibly recommend if there is a need to bring in an outside <br />consultant. <br />Ron Keizer feels it would be of real value to have staff do the work beforehand to prepare and then <br />rather than just submitting it via email, we should have a working session of the Board. This includes <br />with either the whole committee or whatever subcommittee we decide and have staff present at <br />every meeting. Maybe with a facilitator but a lot of good things come out of discussion. <br />Our follow -up meeting will be held on March 21St on the 2nd floor conference room of Economic <br />Development's building from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. <br />Director's Report: <br />• Update on Agriculture Grant program and upcoming Ag Summit - Mike Ortosky <br />Mike Ortosky advised the Board of the upcoming Ag Summit and the current status of the <br />Ag Grants. Also, PFAP has a new Board and the facility renovations for dry storage at the <br />Cedar Grove community center. <br />• Update on Prospect Activity & LAUNCH incubator and upcoming public hearing on the <br />County's economic development expenditures - Steve Brantley <br />Steve Brantley advised the members that the approval for a new 3 year interlocal <br />agreement has been signed. Also, Jim Kitchen informed the Board that Launch has been <br />designated as the fourth best incubator in the Country. <br />