 The mission of the Economic Development
Department is to promote a quality lifestyle for the residents of
the region. The development of new business, expansion and
sustenance of existing businesses will help to maintain and
enhance the quality of life in the counties of the Region.
The Region Five Development Commission was established as the
Designated Economic Development District by the Economic
Development Administration on March 17, 1980. This designation
enables the counties of Region Five to apply for U.S. Economic
Development Administration funds to pursue projects that help to
reach the goals identified in the Region's
Comprehensive Economic
Development Strategy.
What is economic development?
Economic development is generally defined as actions taken to
promote economic growth. The goal of economic development is to
increase the well-being of citizens of an area. Therefore, the
activities of an economic developer focus on economic growth to
increase the well-being of citizens in the area. At one time,
economic development consisted mostly of business recruitment or
smokestack chasing as some might say. Today's economic developer
pursues a wide range of activities in an effort to achieve that
goal of increased well-being for the areas citizens. Activities
may be hands-on like helping entrepreneurs with business plans,
promoting sites, visiting existing businesses, administering a
revolving loan fund and so forth. But there are many activities
that are less hands on. Economic Developers may also act as
facilitators connecting businesses with other resources like
training through local colleges. They may assist in improving
local amenities such as building museums or community centers.
They may help businesses form a purchasing cooperative for
employee healthcare. They may convene local leaders to address an
issue relating to the local economy, such as revitalizing
downtown. It is likely that the job description for the economic
developer will continue to evolve as the economy and the idea of
well-being change.
Though activities have become more diverse, and will likely
continue to evolve, the goal of increasing citizen well-being
remains the same.
Please contact Anne Hanson at
218-894-3233 ext. 25 or by email:
ahanson@regionfive.org
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
