Nostalgia; Economic Development Minutes: September 2006---Mr. Otterstein Speaks

(Ed.note: This is a portion of the minutes from Economic Development meeting of September 2006----this same recommendation of a go to person was made by Betsy Ahner of the Governmental Relations Team in the Presentation of the Econ Dev. Task force on April 17, 2008. It is on the video on the blog.)



"5. Presentation by Chamber of Commerce. Becky Heimerl and John Morning appeared on behalf of the Evansville Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber's Board of Directors has noted that several neighboring communities have identified a "go to" person who responds to inquiries of potential new businesses or industries. Evansville does not have such an individual, at least on any kind of formal basis. The Chamber is concerned that potential new businesses may be "lost" to other communities unless Evansville hires an "economic development czar."

Discussion ensued as to pending efforts of the Chamber of Commerce, the Evansville Community Partnership and the Economic Development Committee to coordinate activities in areas of mutual interest or concern. Several participants in the discussion suggested that ECP's interests were of a broader nature than those of the C of C and the EDC, and that the latter two entities were most appropriate for sponsorship of an economic development coordination function.

Mr. Otterstein pointed to Milton's recent resolution of its coordination issues: three of its community organizations, including its tourism board and chamber of commerce merged into a single entity. He urged consideration of a similar merger in Evansville. Mr. Bass responded that all three of Evansville's entities are experiencing a resurgence of interest and activity, and that merger discussions at the present time are premature and potentially counterproductive. Ms. Heimerl observed that the ECP is having its annual planning retreat this coming Saturday, and that the topic of a better partnership with the Chamber and the EDC is on the agenda; the Chamber is also committed to its own similar examination."