Sounds Like A Plan

The Columbia City Council last evening approved the Community & Economic Development Department's 2009 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 - develop program(s) to encourage and support local entrepreneurs, and facilitate development of business incubator services
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. Promote more commercial activity on Main Street - create an effective organizational structure for revitalization, enhance consistency/historic character of streetscape/signage and buildings, increase net number of Main St. businesses by 10%, 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
6. Expand resources for parks & recreational uses to make Columbia “a great place to play”
7. Develop and implement a long-term strategic plan for municipal buildings
8. Support community activities, celebrate milestones and add to the local quality of life

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

• Develop an entrepreneur’s roundtable
• Support “Think Monroe County First!”
• Maintain/expand Revolving Loan Fund
• Establish regular business consulting through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
• Develop and implement a business retention program
• Develop City policy for awarding incentives
• Update community profile with Illinois DCEO
• Maintain listings via Location One Information Services
• Participate in Leadership Council Southwest Illinois recruitment effort
• Coordinate recruitment efforts with the Monroe County E.D. Council
• Pursue designation as a Main Street community
• Pursue designation as a Certified Local Government
• Develop a new sign graphics program for Main Street
• Explore use of Historic Tax Credits in building renovation
• Develop Miller-Fiege Home as a historical museum
• Develop Shoemaker School House as a visitor center and museum
• Explore development of Old Distillery rum cavern as a tourist destination
• Develop a comprehensive program of grants, planned giving and other mechanisms to fund long-term improvements
• Pursue designation as a “Tree City USA” and a “Play City USA”
• Develop and implement a leasing and improvement plan for the Oak Street Community Building
• Explore highest and best use of other City-owned properties
• Support community efforts to recognize Columbia’s sesquicentennial
• Sponsor, support or participate in other community events

Most of these activities are already under way, while some will require development of more detail to be implemented.