Goal 5: Use historic area, landmarks, parks, and recreation facilities as economic development drivers ACTIONS PARTNERSHIPS TIMEFRAME INITIAL STEPS Examine alternative uses for existing venues; e.g., theaters, Bear Square, and other locations for activities. Town/Chamber/ artist community 2-5 yrs. Explore opportunities for arts and crafts, and other cultural events and venues. Town/Chamber/ artist community 3-10 yrs. Promote the Town Center District as a regional performing arts venue and cultural asset. Town/Chamber/ artist community 3-10 yrs. Conduct a feasibility study to determine the types of performing arts, civic uses, and/or mixed uses that are most likely to succeed in Concrete. Town/Chamber/ artist community 3-10 yrs. Invest in, support, and promote cultural and heritage events and “social infrastructure” such as Cascade Days, Ghost Walk, Fly-In. Town/Chamber/ artist community 3-10 yrs. Goal 6: Identify education and training needs ACTIONS PARTNERSHIPS TIMEFRAME INITIAL STEPS The institutions of higher education and training in the Concrete area will meet the skill-level needs of the businesses and industries in the community. Educational Institutions 2-10+ yrs. 1. Outreach to EDASC, educational institutions, and businesses and industries. The local workforce will have the basic education, life skills, and technical skills to meet the future demands of the Concrete workforce. Town/EDASC/ Educational Institutions 2-10+ yrs. 1. Outreach to EDASC, educational institutions, and businesses and industries. Concrete Chamber of Commerce will work with members and small businesses to grow and train workforces, and support entrepreneur development. Town/Chamber/ EDASC 2-5 yrs.
Goal 12: Evaluate current town economic development toolkit ACTIONS PARTNERSHIPS TIMEFRAME INITIAL STEPS Establish Economic Development Office for Town of Concrete, with an Economic Dev. Coordinator position. Town 2-10 yrs. 1. Seek funding for creating the office and the position. Create a Concrete Economic Development Commission (a.k.a., Economic Development Task Force). Town 2-10 yrs. 1. Establish commission. Create a Community Improvement District (CID). Town 2-5 yrs. 1. Identify CID, agenda/action items, and committee or commission. Develop and adopt guidelines for awarding incentives to existing and new businesses, landlords/ladies, and property owners. Town/ Chamber 2-5 yrs. Note: Incentives do not necessarily have to be monetary. Conduct economic and fiscal impact analysis on land use and zoning changes. Town/ EDASC/ Skagit County 3-10 yrs. Goal 13: Create a regulatory environment that embraces collaboration and cooperation ACTIONS PARTNERSHIPS TIMEFRAME INITIAL STEPS Identify and revise regulations that inhibit business growth. Town 2-5 yrs. 1. Conduct interviews with local business owners, asking them to identify any such regulations. Explore business-friendly land development policies that encourage business attraction and retention. Town 2-5 yrs. 1. Conduct interviews with land developers, asking them to identify any such policies. Explore land development policies that incentivize more efficient development, including infill and mixed-use concepts. Town/ Town Planner 2-10 yrs. Formalize and promote the Town's streamlined development process. Town 3-10 yrs.