HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 02/26/2019 - Economic Development Commission
Summary Report
Economic Development Commission Strategic Planning Session
February 26, 2019
Submitted by:
Marcy Piekos, Executive Director, LGMC
March 6, 2019
City of McHenry EDC Summary Report
2.
BACKGROUND
On February 26, 2019, the Economic Development Commission met to determine their strategic
direction and set goals for the future. They convened at Jessup Manufacturing in McHenry.
Attendees included Commission Chair – Bobbi Baehne, Rob Jessup, Jeff Schaefer, Nick
Bionda, Mike Mrachek, Doug Martin, and Dorothy Wolf. The session was facilitated by Marcy
Piekos, Executive Director of LGMC. This document will serve as a summary of the proceedings
from the session.
RECOMMENDATIONS
1. Review this document in its entirety and send any modifications. Marcy to retain an
accurate final summary report of this session.
2. Note any yellow highlighted area needs clarification or an action.
3. Clarify the City of McHenry EDC purpose, consider establishing a Task Team to offer
revisions.
4. Review the identified strategic intents and goals (pages 5 & 6 of this document) to
finalize for approval.
Strategic Intent Category #1: Commission Development
Strategic Intent Category #2: Building Relationships
Strategic Intent Category #3: Marketing
5. Review the SAMPLE document on page 6. Create the Strategic Planning document by
determining “Action Steps” for each goal, identify goal Champions and target dates.
Commissioners may have better templates for a Strategic Plan. Please utilize what is
best for the group.
HOPES FOR OUTCOMES
All attendees spoke their desired outcome for these sessions. These were reviewed at the
conclusion of the session and all agreed many aspects of their “Hopes” were realized.
Name Hope for Outcome
Nick Good, actionable plan for next year
Jeff Big picture – not get bogged down on detail
Dorothy Obtainable goals – keep in mind regional direction
Doug Examples of clear economic development direction
Mike Clear items, actionable
Rob Big picture with clarity of what we will do
Bobbi Have clear objectives – a “roadmap”
City of McHenry EDC Summary Report
3.
Affirm Commission Purpose
Good organizational hygiene is to regularly affirm the group’s purpose. Having pristine clarity
and screaming agreement of the purpose is foundational in developing the strategic direction.
The stated purpose is as follows:
“The Economic Development Commission shall endeavor to attract business and industry
for the City. The commission shall serve as an advisory body to the City Council on matters
related to the business community. The commission shall have such additional powers
and duties as may be assigned to it from time to time by the Mayor and City Council.
The primary functions of the Economic Development Commission can generally be
divided into three categories: business communication, business attraction, and business
retention and expansion.”
The group reviewed the purpose and identified key points:
• Communication
• Business retention includes, (needs to have an emphasis on), recognition.
• Expansion and attraction
• Reporting
• Marketing – example, “I shop Crystal Lake”
• Advisory (filter)
o New business
o Support please identify support to whom/what?
ACTION: The purpose needs to be clarified, refined and rewritten. It would be advisable to
create an ad-hoc committee, or task force to accomplish this and that team bring suggestions to
the Commission. Also clarify, if there are changes, a revised purpose will need to be approved
by City Council.
Who We Serve and Their Expectations
The group identified who the Commission serves and what they believe the expectations are of
those served. This is accomplished to ensure all members have the same perspective of those
served. Below are responses:
Who We Serve Their Expectations
1. City Council Attract/retain businesses/report
2. City Staff Attract/retain businesses/report/assistance
direction to Council/consult
3. Businesses Recognition/services/support/marketing
4.Residents Attract specific businesses this needs clarity
(Schools) Connect them with businesses - listen to them, provide
variety and service
(Chamber) Partnership
City of McHenry EDC Summary Report
4.
SWOT ANALYSIS
The top priorities were selected from each aspect of the SWOT synthesis in order to begin to
identify strategic initiatives targeting sustaining strengths, eliminating weaknesses, optimizing
opportunities, and awareness of threats.
STRENGTHS
1. Community pride/passion
2. Strong support from ED department
3. Representation from multiple types of
businesses
4. Entrepreneurs, residents, community
and thought leaders
5. Chamber wants a partnership
(Schools and other taxing bodies want to
be in partnership)
(Commissioners are not elected-
appointed)
WEAKNESSES
1. Lack of meeting attendance of retail
representatives
2. Not reaching into community
3. Not acknowledging businesses
4. Out of date ED plan
OPPORTUINITIES
1. Marketing and social media programs
2. Excitement throughout the city
INCubator EDU - new programing
3. Identification of influencers – build
relationships (i.e. NW Medicine)
4. Define Downtown area clearly – include
all districts
THREATS
1. Transportation
2. Funding
3. Competition
4. Taxes
City of McHenry EDC Summary Report
5.
Strategic Initiatives
The direction the Commission wants to take was identified through conversation by two groups.
It was clear both group visions of immediate issues to address were in alignment. Their
initiatives are offered below:
Initiative/Goal Group 1 Group 2
1). Commission development
• Process for development
• Create diversity among members
Commission development
• Update ED plan
• Define committee structure
2). Update ED plan
• Marketing
• Identify and build relationships
with key influencers
Marketing
• Explore and develop a program
“I shop McHenry”
3). Create stronger relationships with
community Organizations (Chamber, ED
organizations, etc.)
• Include representation of EDC
members at other organizations
and vice versa
Building Relationships
• Identify key influencers
(potential new members)
• Develop chamber connections
• Explore other EDCs
SUGGESTED Strategic Plan Document
Below are the three areas the Commission identified as top intentions for this year:
Strategic Initiative Category #1: Commission Development
Strategic Initiative Category #2: Building Relationships
Strategic Initiative Category #3: Marketing
Once these are agreed to, the Commission then needs to define the goals, actions steps,
champions for the initiative, and target dates. A column for measurement can be included. I
have included a status update column in order to keep track of progress.
SAMPLE DOCUMENT with the first two initiatives are found on the following page
City of McHenry EDC Summary Report
6.
SAMPLE STRATEGIC PLAN DOCUMENT
Strategic Intent Category #1: Commission Development
Goal Statement: Develop a high performing, best practices Commission
Number Action Steps Champion/Responsible
Person
Target Date Status Update
1.1 Create a development
plan
• Identify Commission
development needs
(needs assessment)
• Continue to create
action steps to
accomplish Goal 1.1
1.2. Define committee
structure
• Determine what
committees will best
serve the
Commission
• Create purpose and
objectives for each
committee
• Identify Commission
members who will
serve as the
committee chairs
1.3 Update ED plan
Strategic Intent Category #2: Building Relationships
Goal Statement: Build strong relationships with influencers both within the city and regionally.
Number Action Steps Champion/Responsible
Person
Target Date Status
Update
2.1 Identify key influencers
• Organizations
• Individuals
2.2. Explore other EDCs
• Develop a plan to
meet with county
EDCs