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Staffing for CenterFuse,Ellensburg's Business Development Authority (EBDA),has <br />transitioned over time.Shortly after being established in 1994,EBDA hired a full-time <br />Executive Director and support staff to manage daily operations and projects.Around 2004, <br />the EBDA,(then called the Economic Development Group of Kittitas County and Phoenix <br />Economic Development Group)using the City of Ellensburg's authority in city code chapter <br />1.82 and by action of Ellensburg City Council,determined the staffing of the EBDA to be on <br />a contractual basis with the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce.This contractual <br />relationship between the City and Chamber for staff continued until 2017,when Ellensburg <br />City Council canceled the contract for staffing with the Chamber,and in 2018,the City <br />created a position for a part-time Executive Director who had city staff support for financials, <br />etc.Coming full circle,CenterFuse and the City entered into a new InterlocalAgreement on <br />November 12,2020 whereby the City would no longer contract with a service provider nor <br />hire staff for CenterFuse and would no longer provide support staff for CenterFuse. <br />CenterFuse would hire their own employee and no longer rely on city staff support. <br />The need for the position is greater now more than ever.The COVID-19 pandemic has <br />created havoc and opportunity for businesses.Some businesses view this time of crisis as <br />an opportunityto leave the hustle of urban areas and relocate to more attractive settings. <br />Ellensburg is geographically ideal for such businesses as we are centrally located at the <br />intersection of major interstates (1-90 and I-82),have a youthful,educated workforce,Iow- <br />cost utilities,commute alternatives (e.g.bike,walk,fare-free transit),and a welcoming <br />community. <br />In the past,the City provided fiscal and accounting services.This is no longer the case. <br />Working with an Ellensburg accountant,these services are performed by the Executive <br />Director. <br />3.Will your organization be capable of supporting this position in the future <br />without support from this fund?Please describe your plan and include target <br />dates for implementationand completion.If no plan is currently in place and/or <br />no plans are being made,please explain why. <br />It is the goal of CenterFuse to be a self-supporting organization. <br />In 2017,the board and staff created a strategic plan for CenterFuse.This 2017 strategic plan <br />is being reviewed and updated in 2021.Annually a work plan is developed to support the <br />strategic plan,and the work plan is linked to the budget to connect resource needs.The <br />work to be accomplished through the implementation of the strategic plan specifies the <br />review of revenue needs for operations,including staffing,and charting a path forward that <br />provides for financial sustainability.The 2021 work plan is included in this application <br />(question #5 response)and describes actions and tasks that lead the organization to self- <br />support.During 2021,the strategic plan will link to a five-year budget with scenarios leading <br />to financial independence. <br />4.Will this position serve the needs andlor interests of multiple jurisdictions <br />and/or organizations?Please explain in detail.