RES 2023-023 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PROJECT NARRATIVE 1. Request Description: Please describe the work this position will perform. Include a job description and any other pertinent information. Essentially, the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce (ADO) is funding 3 positions with the funding requested. These are the same positions we have requested in 2021: Economic Advancement, Certified Advisor SBDC and Associate Business Development Coordinator. KCCC has recognized the importance of small business retention, especially sole proprietor businesses, which the work is completed by the Certified Advisor through SBDC. Going into 2023, we are putting more responsibilities to the Associate Business Development Coordinator to be assisting in workforce training and business technical assistance administration with new and existing businesses in Kittitas County. Economic Advancement position will be split betrueen three existing positions in the Chamber; (1) Cle Elum and surrounding areas (1) Ellensburg and surrounding areas (l) recruitment and assisting business relocation to the county. They will perfonn public relations tasks, including physical and digital press releases, press conferences when needed, and social media. They will monitor the county's actions/policies pertaining to Economic Development. Additionally, the positions will pivot to the county strategic plan by, T.I.P Strategies and their suggested planning for the region and the following addition items: overseeing outreach to existing businesses, communicate regularly with our elected offrcials, and drive objectives towards relocation or recruitrnent of new businesses. Priorities will be formed with these positions parallel to the County's Regional Economic Development plan. These job descriptions are affached with the application. 2. Is this a new position for your organization? If so, please describe why this position is needed. If not, why is it a necessary for this fund to continue to support this position? No. Continuing the firnding for these positions will accelerate the implementation planning from the county's T.I.P strategy planning. Staffmembers in these positions are familiar with the demands of the position and are familiar with the communities' goals, With the continued growth of the county we will stay ahead of growth and provide the needed selices to both new and existing businesses. With the success of the SBDC program in Kittitas County we will be able to provide resources throughout the county, serving mainstream and underserued business owners. The expertise of the Economic Advancernent employees will be able to assist and advocate business during permitting and startup. The Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce provides diversity by serving many different industries throughout the entire Kittitas County, providing appealing assets to many different industries that are looking for access to major interstates, educated workforce, lower-costs of utilities and rent, commute options and healthy lifestyles. During the process of the regional efforts through the City of Ellensburg and Kittitas County, the Kittitas County Chamber will be developing a five-year regional economic strength and resiliency initiative beginning in January 2023. Although our county has a strong economic base, we face well-known, persisting macro challenges that stand in the way of our local businesses and/amilies thriving: r Employers struggle to find talent; workers don't have the right skills for or knowledge of avail able opportunities r Inadequate workforce housing and childcare capacity negatively impacts workers and businesses alike r Government financial and regulatory burdens and unopposed anti-business rhetoric stifle investment These longstanding challenges are further complicated by the evolving impacts of the receding pandemic, evolution in workplace styles, supply ehain disruptions, steep inflation and more. 3. \ilill your organization be cnpable of supporting this position in the future without support from this fund? Please describe your plan and include target dates for implementation and completion. If no plan is currently in place and/or no plans are being madeo please explain why. The work being accomplished through the Kittitas County Chamber of Commerce is a service to the county and the partner$ involved. These funds provided through distressed funds are a source in order to continue the