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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2013-102 Sponsored by: Hunt CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2013-102 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA, SUPPORTING AND PARTICIPATING IN THE SEWARD ECONOMIC GROWTH PLAN PROCESS (SEGPP) INITIATED AND MAINTAINED BY THE SEWARD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE, CONFERENCE AND VISITOR'S BUREAU (CHAMBER) WHEREAS,a strong and diversified business base provides the foundation of a healthy and prosperous economy; and WHEREAS,the most effective means of improving the economic vitality of Seward is to aid the existing businesses to grow and expand; and WHEREAS, critical to achieving greater prosperity for all is improving the linkages and alignment of City, Chamber and private sector members engaged with Seward to further growth initiatives both retaining and developing businesses to increase jobs in Seward; and WHEREAS, developing a foundation of collaboration and strategic doing will create a strong private sector and diversify our economy which continues to develop a strong city infrastructure, and WHEREAS, SEGPP facilitated by the Chamber, has a core team of Chamber Board Members, Chamber Member Businesses, Seward Businesses and Seward Citizens established to coordinate the efforts of all involved; and WHEREAS, SEGPP has identified working groups: Entrepreneur Row; Seward Marine Industrial Center; Alternative Energy and Efficiency; Broadband;and Railroad Dock Extension. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA that: Section 1. For all the findings incorporated herein from above, the City of Seward will support and participate in the further and continual development and implementation of the SEGPP, and will evaluate their support and role after December 31, 2014. Section 2. This resolution shall take effect immediately. PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 12th day of November. CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA RESOLUTION 2013-102 THE CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA i'd1////, 4,6117#1 J an Bardarson, Mayor AYES: Keil, Shafer, Casagranda, Terry, Squires, Bardarson NOES: None ABSENT: None ABSTAIN: None VACANT: One ATTEST: Johanna Ki , CMC ' ity Clerk mai (City Seal) *" seti ..... /.44) : - • I SEAL 1 0 65 • o 4 .......... ps;k4. OF Agenda Statement ,of sFsq Meeting Date: November 12, 2013 ,►4It To: City Council ' `'•` From: City Manager Jim Hunt Agenda Item: Seward Economic Growth Plan BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION: The Seward community and surrounding region has faced economic challenges for the last decade. In 2010 the City of Seward (City) and Seward Chamber of Commerce, Conference and Visitor's Bureau (Chamber) partnered with University of Alaska, Center for Economic Development as an effort to better identify many of the challenges and root causes,and also proposed ways in which the community could address these challenges and move forward with successful economic development plans. Even though the challenges continued, the community of Seward had a difficult time absorbing the recommendations and finding a way to advance the economic opportunities. In 2012, considering the situation, concerned citizens, business members and the Chamber decided it was time to revisit the economic growth planning and take a different approach: In July 2012, the Chamber engaged Strategy-Nets and the University of Alaska's Center for Economic Development to: • Engage a cross-organizational group of people to guide the development and implementation of a regional economic growth strategy and, • Develop the first version of an economic growth strategy and action plan for transforming Seward's regional economy. Since that time interested stakeholders representing various industries, non-profits, City and Chamber conducted: two workshops on July 30 and September 18, 2012 developing the Alpha Version of the Seward Economic Growth Plan,February 25,2013 Strategy-Nets gave a presentation to the Community and Seward City Council and a Stakeholder meeting in September 2013 progressing steps to move forward with the Beta Plan. In order to continue to progress with Seward's challenges and opportunities, we are looking for Council's official support and participation in the Seward Economic Growth Plan INTENT: The City Council will support and participate in the further and continual development and implementation of the Seward Economic Growth Plan,and will evaluate their support and role after December 31, 2014. CONSISTENCY CHECKLIST: Yes No N/A Comprehensive Plan: 3.1 Economic Development 1. 3.1.1 Attract new business and industry to the greater Seward area. X 3.1.1 Increase public sector employment and programs 2. Strategic Plan: Page 5 Goals and Objectives, Attract New Industry X 3. Other: NA X FISCAL NOTE: No financial impact at this time. Potential economic development growth to the community with success of the growthplan. Approved by Finance Department: J IA ATTORNEY REVIEW: Yes No X RECOMMENDATION: Approve Resolution 2013-I° supporting and participating in the Seward Economic Growth Plan (SEGP) initiated and maintained by the Seward Chamber of Commerce, Conference and Visitor's Bureau (Chamber)