Sounds Like a Plan (2010)

The Columbia City Council last evening approved the Community & Economic Development Department's 2010 Strategic Plan with a unanimous vote--here are the goals and objectives from the plan:

1. Encourage new businesses to form and grow in Columbia--work with the Monroe County Economic Development Council to develop program(s) that will encourage and support local entrepreneurs;
2. Retain businesses in the City of Columbia by supporting their long-term success--encourage Columbia’s citizens to support local businesses; provide direct services to current businesses; and support expansion of current businesses through loans and incentives, where appropriate;
3. Recruit new businesses to the community--maintain and distribute timely information on Columbia’s demographics, business mix, and economic potential; market available sites and buildings for businesses looking to expand and/or locate; and work with regional partners to recruit new offices/headquarters and retailers;
4. Stimulate more commercial activity on Main Street--enhance design consistency and historic character of the corridor; and increase private investment in Main St. properties;
5. Develop and market local tourist facilities that will entice visitors and locals to learn more about Columbia’s history and heritage--market Columbia and Monroe County as a tourist destination;
6. Expand resources for parks & recreational uses to make Columbia “a great place to play”--develop long-term facilities for youth, senior citizens and other community members; and pursue designation as a “Play City USA” and a “Tree City USA”;
7. Develop and implement a long-term strategic plan for municipal buildings--seek the community’s long-term preferred uses for properties; and pursue community goals for the Miller-Fiege Home;
8. Support community activities, celebrate milestones and add to the local quality of life--employ strategic analysis for all events to build traffic and increase economic returns to the community.

To support these goals and objectives, the Strategic Plan proposes the following activities:

* Continue to support “Think Monroe County First!”
* Continue the business retention program through the Monroe County Economic Development Council
* Continue to administer the Admiral Trost Redevelopment Area
* Maintain/expand the Revolving Loan Fund
* Develop City policy for awarding incentives
* Update community profile with the Illinois Department of Community & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
* Assist in recruiting a full-service restaurant to support local lodging
* Identify and/or help develop new buildings and sites that will be appropriate and ready for new or expanding business operations
* Maintain listings via Location One Information Services (LOIS)
* Broaden Columbia’s visibility within the Greater St. Louis region
* Develop a comprehensive Main Street redevelopment strategy that includes market analysis, targeted street/building improvements and planning for adequate parking/transit service
* Explore use of incentives to support the Main Street strategy
* Secure attraction signage from I-255 and IL-3 to Columbia destinations
* Open the Monroe County Welcome Center
* Initiate a strategic marketing campaign to increase use of lodging and conference facilities
* Identify and evaluate sites for a community center
* Develop a comprehensive program of grants, planned giving and other mechanisms to fund long-term improvements
* Complete a leasing/improvement plan for the Oak Street Building
* Continue to explore highest and best use of other City-owned properties
* Secure National Register status for the Miller-Fiege Home
* Complete transition of the Miller-Fiege Home into a municipal history museum