Sounds Like a Plan (2012)

In December each year, while others are checking their Christmas lists one final time, the City of Columbia's Community & Economic Development Department (CEDD) compiles another list. The annual Community & Economic Development Strategy guides the City's efforts each year to build a better community and expand economic activity.

The overall goal for CEDD is "[to] expand and enhance City and community revenues and assets so as to steadily increase available resources, broaden service delivery, and improve the quality of life for all citizens."

The Strategy is outcomes-based, establishing goals and then defining activities that will support their achievement. This approach ties CEDD's activities to community goals, guides program development and makes it possible to gauge accomplishments. The Columbia City Council reviewed achievements (as well as shortfalls) of the 2011 strategy earlier this month; last evening, they adopted the strategy proposed for 2012.

Objectives for 2012 are as follows:

1. Encourage new businesses to form and grow in Columbia

a. Work with the Monroe County Economic Development Council (MCEDC) 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

a. Encourage Columbia’s citizens to support local businesses

 Continue to support MCEDC’s “Think Monroe County First!” campaign

b. Provide direct services to current businesses

 Continue business retention/expansion visits through MCEDC

 Use a multi-agency team approach to address needs of local firms identified through these visits

 Continue to support the Admiral Parkway Redevelopment Area through administration and tax increment financing

c. Support expansion of current businesses through loans and incentives, where appropriate

 Expand the revolving loan program through strategic partnerships

 Assist MCEDC in developing new incentives for business expansion

3. Recruit new businesses to the community

a. Market available sites and buildings for businesses looking to expand and/or relocate

 Expand the marketing campaign to promote Columbia with office & retail users throughout Greater St. Louis

 Engage local & regional partners (i.e., developers, MCEDC, Leadership Council, Regional Chamber & Growth Ass’n.) in this effort

 Expand building & site listings on Location One Information System (LOIS), the primary platform for commercial real estate information

b. Maintain and distribute timely information on Columbia’s demographics, business mix, and economic potential

 Update community profile with the Illinois Department of Community & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

 Create new community marketing materials, including one or more promotional video(s)

4. Stimulate more commercial activity on Main Street

a. Enhance design consistency and the historic character of this corridor

 Building upon past efforts, develop a comprehensive Main Street revitalization strategy that includes market analysis, targeted improvements and planning for adequate parking & transit services

b. Increase private investment in Main St. properties

 Work with the Main St. Business Association (MSBA) to support business expansion and recruit new businesses into the corridor

5. Develop and market local sites & facilities that will entice visitors and locals to learn more about Columbia’s history and heritage

a. Market Columbia and Monroe County as tourist destinations

 Partner with Columbia’s lodging and conference facilities to support a direct sales position

 Include tourism promotion as an integral part of the strategic marketing campaign

 Effectively market & cooperatively staff the Monroe County Welcome Center

b. Develop community signage that blends aesthetics and commercial promotion in the highest & best manner

 Assist MSBA in securing signage on I-255 for “Historic Main St. Columbia” and installing banners along Main St.

 Review community entrance signage and informational banner use to reduce clutter and improve aesthetics

6. Enhance Columbia’s reputation as one of the most desirable communities in the region through adoption of updated planning

a. Update the City’s Master Plan (recommended every five years)

 Incorporate the Senior Services Assessment and revised Open Space, Bicycle & Greenway Alignment into the Master Plan

b. Cooperate with the City of Waterloo, Monroe County and other partners to develop a Community Planning Area (CPA) sustainability plan

7. Expand resources for parks & recreational uses to make Columbia “a great place to play”

a. Continue to work for expanded use of parks and recreation facilities

 Complete transfer of the Piggot’s Fort commemorative site

 Complete the master plan for the park within the Admiral Trost Development

 Build upon the Open Space, Bicycle & Greenway Alignment Plan to create a city-wide alternative transportation plan

 Create a comprehensive operational program for parks & recreation

b. Expand resources available for parks & recreation services and facilities

 Continue to pursue grants from the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources and other sources

 Develop a program of grants, planned giving and other mechanisms to help fund long-term improvements

8. Support community activities, celebrate milestones and add to the local quality of life

a. Increase community involvement in and support for local events

 Initiate an ambassadors program to increase volunteer support for events

b. Identify needs and mobilize support for an enhanced quality of life

 Involve other community partners in completing a Community Development Inventory with recommendations for coordinated/common efforts