RES 2023-073 - Laserfiche WebLink

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KITTITAS COUNTY, WASHINGTON 3.2.2. Evaluate and prepare shovel-ready sites for future business development (including light industrial sites, retail, etc.). 3.2.2.1. Maintain an inventory of available sites, including privately held sites. The inventory should catalog preferred properties suitable for industrial, commercial, and retail development in Kittitas County, including location, size, ownership, zoning, environment, planning, shovel readiness, and infrastructure requi rements. . List available sites on a centralized County (and City) website and cross-list them on other regional economic development websites and broker sites. 3.2.2.2. Evaluate infrastructure availability and quality in existing and future business and industrial parks 3'2.3. Develop land at Bowers Field and Business Park for light industrial, retail, training, and commercial use. 3.2.3.1. Create a master plan for Bowers Field and Business Park including a layout plan, to position the airport to attract businesses that will increase tax revenue and offer quality employment opportunities. 3.2.3.2. lnvest in infrastructure needed to ensure sites are shovel ready. 3.2'3.3. Develop facilities needed to recruit aviation manufacturing companies and support expanding aviation training program. 3.2.3.4. Explore expansion of CWU aviation program and develop agility to meet industry training needs. 3.3. Support business growth and retention and focus recruitment efforts on industries that align with community values. 3.3' 1. lmplement a business retention and expansion (BRE) initiative focused on the County's employers to grow the regional economy. 3.3.1.1. Establish a local visitation program in which Chamber staff meet one-on-one with employers to ensure business needs are communicated and met. 3.3'1.2. Structure local business visits to achieve several specific outcomes, including education, data collection, risk management, and testimonial collection. o Educate the employer about the Chamber's economic development function. . Collect answers to a standard set of questions about the employer's challenges during in- person business visits and identify ways the Chamber can help address those challenges. " Ask about potential supplier recruitment opportunities that would benefit existing employers during in-person business visits with manufacturers. . Capture testimonials from employers about why Kittitas County is a good business location for them. 3.3.1.3. Build an understanding of the major employers within each of the County's key industries and their corresponding emerging opportunities. Figure 4 (page 14) lists emerging market opportunities 3'3'1.4. ldentify and incorporate additional BRE outreach partners for increased collaboration, resorlrce sharing, and reach given the Chamber's limited resources. Target partners that have extensive local business interface, including downtown associations and CenterFuse. 3'3.1.5. ldentify local companies at risk of losing growth momentum, relocating, or downsizing. PAGE 12 I ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRATEGIC PLAN