Laserfiche WebLink
rebranding is near completion. This committee is at the forefront of pushing CenterFuse out to <br />become a proactive economic development leader and make CenterFuse easier to find and contact. <br />in addition to the rebranding, project highlights, with full board participation, include. <br />Rebranding the Organization —A key Initiative for the re-establishment of EBDA was <br />creating a brand that would set the organization apart from other Ellensburg acronyms and <br />present a compelling and easy to remember brand. At the November 5, 2018 City Council <br />Meeting, Board Member Jared Vallejo unveiled the new working name of the EBDA, <br />CenterFuse. At the January 2019 meeting, the board unanimously approved Resolution <br />2019-2, adopting CenterFuse as the official dba, retaining the Ellensburg Business <br />Development Authority as the legal entity name. <br />Through a formal RFP process, the board contracted with Design Plus of Ellensburg to create <br />the new logo%mark and collateral. Next, CWU student Britton Hayes signed on for an <br />Internship to create a website, which now nears completion of Phase I. CenterFuse recently <br />executed a contract with Ellensburg -based Smart Motion Video to create a business <br />recruitment video for use in advertising and social media. <br />CenterFuse will share an overview of the design collateral and website, which includes <br />business resources, feature news, and an inventory of available buildings, land, and <br />businesses for sale/rent, at the public presentation for the Distressed Sales tax applicants. <br />EBDA Financials - Fiscal transparency and oversight continue to be core values for <br />CenterFuse. The awarding of $40,000 in Distressed Sales Tax for personnel allowed <br />CenterFuse to redirect a portion of their budget to marketing goals. CenterFuse will apply <br />for the program funding in 2020 to again support Its economic development personnel. <br />• Comprehensive Plan Amendments and Land Use Planning—two committees and the full <br />board met with City of Ellensburg Long Range Planner to better understand how the <br />Comprehensive Plan and Land Development Code regulations affect business development. <br />Staff and the board actively participated in opportunities to give feedback on the current <br />zoning and usage changes currently under consideration. While the eight-year Comp Plan <br />update was just completed in 2417, the makeup of CenterFuse and its place in the <br />community have evolved. After review of the Economic Development section, CenterFuse <br />submitted an extensive proposal forthe 2019 annual Comp Plan Amendment to add <br />language and actions that cover organizational roles, strategies for tech company <br />recruitment, the need for a "how to" guide, and to give this section the proactive voice the <br />community so desperately needs. <br />Developing stronger partnerships — CenterFuse knows that partnerships and a strong <br />county are vital to Ellensburg's economic development environment. CenterFuse staff and <br />the board have renewed strong ties to the County and to the ICttitas County Chamber of <br />Commerce to offer support in their efforts to develop a strategic approach to economic <br />development for K'ittitas County. CenterlFuse maintains frequent communications and seats <br />at the table in these discussions. <br />