Title
Consideration of Updated 2019 Economic Vitality Strategic Plan
Recommended Action
I move that Council accept the 2019 Economic Vitality Strategic Plan
County Manager's Recommendation
The County Manager recommends that Council approve the motion as presented.
Board, Commission or Committee Recommendation
Economic Vitality Action Team (EVAT) recommends that the County Council accept the 2019 Economic Vitality Strategic Plan
Body
The 2019 Economic Vitality Strategic Plan (EVSP 2019) presented for your review offers a 10-year vision of what is desired from our local community in the near future, within the context of the current and predicted economic environment.
This report updates and replaces the initial EVSP 2010 developed and adopted by the County Council on April 5, 2010.
This plan was created by the current members of the County Manager’s Economic Vitality Action Team (EVAT). The EVAT was first established in May 2010 according to guidelines in EVSP 2010 Appendix D, which deemed that the group be advisory to the County Manager and comprised of County department representatives, as well as members of relevant industries who are committed to the economic prosperity of Los Alamos. The current members who contributed to the EVSP 2019 are:
Micheline Devaurs, Business Operations Program Manager (retired), Richard P. Feynman Center for Innovation Los Alamos National Laboratory and LA resident
Tony Fox, Vice President of Institutional Advancement & Scholarship - LANL Foundation and White Rock Resident
Doug Hintze, Manager of Environmental Management, Los Alamos Field Office, U.S. Department of Energy and LA resident
Paul Johnson, Interim Chief Executive Officer, Zia Credit Union, Los Alamos
Kathy Keith, Executive Office Director, Community Partnerships Office, LANL
Ian Maes, Realtor - RE/MAX FIRST of Los Alamos and LA resident
Charlie Nakhleh, Executive Officer, Weapons Programs, LANL and LA resident
Antonio Redondo, PhD, Division Leader, Richard P. Feynman Center for Innovation, LANL and LA resident
Cindy Rooney, Chief Executive Officer, University of New Mexico-Los Alamos and White Rock resident
Bret E. Simpkins, Associate Laboratory Director, Facilities & Operations, LANL and LA resident
Patrick Sullivan, Executive Director, Los Alamos Commerce and Development Corporation and LA resident
Dave Woodruff, Former President/Chief Executive Officer, Zia Credit Union, Los Alamos
Los Alamos County Employees: Joanie Ahlers; Paul Andrus; Harry Burgess; Steve Lynne; Linda Matteson; Kelly Stewart
Over the past 22 months, EVAT conducted an extensive review of the 2010 plan goals and actions to determine what had been accomplished, what issues were still relevant, and what new issues and initiatives should be prioritized. These priorties would include County projects and Council priorities such as housing, CIP, local business growth, wayfinding, and tourism. While tremendous progress has been made on the 2010 plan it became evident through the process that the group determined the four existing primary goals of the EVSP were still relevant and of significant importance for the economic growth and sustainability of Los Alamos.
The 2019 plan recognizes LANL as the County’s principal economic driver and most valuable asset, but also recommends prioritizing housing, quality of life and economic development goals and actions as they directly address the Lab’s most pressing needs for recruitment, retention and mission success.
This plan is divided into three areas of focus: the past, the present and the future. Section I reviews the goals of the 2010 EVSP, including the actions completed. Section II provides a snapshot of the County’s current economic development landscape. Section III presents future goals, in order of priority, to be considered by Council and implemented during the next ten years. Section IV is an action plan that includes possible tactics and timelines for implementation to help LAC reach the economic goals identified during the next five to 10 years. Reasonable and realistic metrics for action will developed for each action to measure performance.
The Economic Vitality Action Team will review the plan annually and recommend appropriate actions and revisions that advance the goals of the plan, to the County Council in order to advance their strategic goals.
Alternatives
Council may choose to not accept the EVSP2019.
Fiscal and Staff Impact/Planned Item
There is no direct impact related to the acceptance of the plan however staff activities will be informed by the plan. All County expenditures recommended in the EVSP 2019 will funded either through annually approved budgets or brought to Council if amounts exceed avaialble funding or authority.
Attachments
A - Draft 2019 Economic Vitality Strategic Plan