ResolutiontoApprovePFAgmtEBDA2019

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PROJECT NARRATIVE 1. Requast Descriptlon: Please describe the work this position will perform. Include a job descdptfon and any other perinent information. The Executive Director is a City of Ellensburg employee who reports to the Community Development Director. The tllensburg Business Development Authority (EBDA) Board of Directors provides direction for the Executive Director, This position creates and implements Economic Development strategies, manages the Business Incubator and fight industrial Buildings, meets with prospects to create new employment opportunities and connect them with available spaces and resources, promotes one of two designated state Opportunity Zones, and provides outreach to existing businesses on needs for development and expansion. A full job description is included. 2. Is this a new position for your organization? 111`80, pisses describe why this position is needed. ff not, why is It a necessary for this fund to continue to support this posltlon? In the summer 2417, the City of Ellensburg moved the Ellensburg Business Development Authority (EBDA) In- house to be managed and administered by City Staff. The EBDA Is the Public Development Authority for Ellensburg under RCW 35.21.730 and functions as the economic development organization for the community. An interim director oversaw the move of the EBDA into the City, providing guidance for financials, legal documents, property management, and economic development roles. In February 2018, a permanent half-time Executive Director was hired to provide leadership for Board development, property management, and Strategic Planning and Implementation to incorporating new strategies for business growth and recruitment for the community. According to a 2016 report by the Employment Security Department, 39% of Kitdtas County jobs are with state and local government agencies. Nearly four out of every ton dollars of wage income generated in IGttitas County was earned by people working in state or local government organizations. Quarterly census of Employment and Wage Data from 2018 states that service and retail Lade jobs account for 30.2% of Kittitas County employment, the majority of these jobs being minimum wage. According to the 2414 WdtrEas County Population Projection Review and Analysis, 56% of Kitttitas County residents work outside of iCttft County, with 1896 of those commuting or telecommuting to King County. Than statistics do not serves as a long-term sustainable path for the future. While the EBDA has been established in Ellensburg for many years, the move into the City created an opportunity for new strategies and focus. For economic development to happen In Ellensburg, there needs to be developed resources and incentives, new marketing strategies and outreach, and strategies for implementation. One of the most challenging elements of economic development is that there are no comprehensive resources or websites to connect prospects with available facilities and buildable land. There is no inventory of whist is available to lease, and no real assessment of what the needs are for prospective employers. This is a top priority of the new EBDA board. The board has also prioritized the need to have a better web presence and marketing materials that not only entice employers, but offer opportunities to make Ellensburg and Mites County their new home. In only the first 4 months, these priorities and documents are being developed and implemented, as shown in the attached workplan. 3. Will your organization be capable of supporting this position in the future without support from this fund? Please describe your plan and include target dates for implamentntlon and completion. If no pian is currently in place and/or no pians are being made, please explain why. AS discussed previously, this entity is being retooled after its move into the City. Plans are being developed towards self-sufficiency, but no details are available at this time. 4. Will this poeltion serve the needs and/or Interrsts of multiple jurisdictions and/or organizations? Please explain In detall. The judsdicilon fbr the EBDA is specifically designated to be the City of Ellensburg and the UGA. It is important to point out that strong economic development strategies for Ellensburg will affect the entire county, offering new and better jobs for its residents. The new EBDA Executive Director meets and works with the Business Development Director for the Chamber of Commence, Laura Bobovskl, to ensure continued collaboratlon and sharing of information and resources. When meeting with a prospect, the two entities will work together to ensure their