HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014-08-04-Resolutions 14-202_Community and Economic Development Action PlanTHE CITY OF WAUKEE,IOWA
RESOLUTION 14-202
APPROVING CITY OF WAUKEE COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ACTION PLAN
IN THE NAME AND BYTHE AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF WAUICEE,
IONIA
WHEREAS,the City of Waukee,Dallas County„State of Iowa,is a duly organized
Municipal Organization;AND,
WHEREAS,the Community and Economic Development Advisory Council has drafted and
recommends approval of the City of Waukee Community and Economic Development Action
Plan (the "Plan");AND,
WHEREAS,the Plan shall serve as a guide for the City of Waukee by detailing seven key
strategies for economic development that will ensure that Waukee capitalizes on future
development opportunities.
NO%'THEREFORE BK IT RESOLVED by the City of Waukee City Council that it
hereby approves the City of Waukee Community and Economic Development Action plan,
attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Passed by the City Council of the City of Waukee,Iowa,and approved the 4 day of August,th
2014.
Brian HarTison,ayor Pro Tem
Attest:
Rebecca D.Schuett,City Clerk
ROLL CALL VOTE
Shane Blanchard
Brian Harrison
Casey L.Harvey
Shelly Hughes
Rick Peterson
AYE
X
X
X
X
NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
City ofau ee
Community R.Economic
Development Action Plan
Seven Key Strategies for Economic Development
Seven Ke Strate ies for Economic Development
There are seven key strategies covering different aspects of the development process
that the City will employ to cause economic growth in Waukee.Each strategy has one
or more goals that define what needs to be accomplished.The goals have actions that
are specific steps to be taken by City staff.The merger of the strategies into a
comprehensive development approach will ensure that Waukee capitalizes on future
development opportunities.The seven strategies include:
1.Raise Waukee's Profile among Business Decision Makers
2.Existing Business Relationships and Retention
3.Provide Development Options
4.Build Relationships with Business Decision Makers
5.Provide Useful Information
6.Financial Incentives
7.Marketing Waukee's assets-Primary and Secondary
Key Strate y I:Marketing Waukee's Assets-Primar and Secondary
The City of Waukee can be more successful if it combines its resources,expertise and
relationships with other organizations to capitalize on Waukee's economic development
opportunities.Partnerships have been established with several organizations that
contribute to Waukee's economic development action plan.The City gains from the
national marketing efforts of the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA)and the
Greater Des Moines Partnership (GDMP)through access to business development
leads.The City's relationship with IEDA streamlines the processes for accessing state
incentive programs for new and expanding businesses.
Goal 1:Develop a comprehensive marketing plan that addresses working with
IEDA and GDMP for regional and national marketing efforts to attract
primary businesses
~Action 1:Participate in activities of the City of Waukee's economic development
partners such as the Iowa Economic Development Authority and the Greater Des
Moines Partnership that benefit Waukee's development efforts.
Goal 2:Actively recruit retail and secondary businesses
Action 1:Actively participate in ICSC to recruit retail and hospitality businesses to
Waukee
~Action 2:Actively recruit secondary businesses in the metro area to locate in
Waukee.
~Action 3:Attend meetings and events hosted by Professional Developers of Iowa
(PDI)to establish relationships with local developers.
~Action 4:Attract developers that are outside the metro area to Waukee through
Urban Land Institute (ULI)and ICSC.Attend regional meetings of both
organizations to establish contacts with existing Midwest development firms.
Key Strategy 2:Existing Business Relationships and Retention
Existing businesses provide job growth in a community.The people of Waukee benefit
from the success of businesses in Waukee through more employment and increased
taxable valuations.One key to the success of business in Waukee is the relationship
the City organization has with the owners or managers of the existing Waukee
businesses that create new wealth for Waukee and the region.
Goal 1:Cultivate relationships between existing businesses and the City of
Waukee through personal contacts
~Action I:Identify the key contacts at Waukee businesses
~Action 2:Participate in annual visits to existing businesses
~Action 3:Organize meetings with groups of industries or business neighborhoods
on topics that are of value to business.
Goal 2:Help businesses grow and expand in Waukee
Action 1:Maintain ongoing communication with
Waukee businesses by distributing an Economic
Development Department newsletter and carrying out
periodic executive calls to each business
~Action 2:Communicate development and expansion
opportunities in Waukee to management of businesses
~Action 3:Ask owners and business managers about
issues that create barriers to expansion.Work with
owners and managers to develop strategies to address
barriers
~Action 4:Communicate often about the City's financial
incentives and assistance in the development process
to existing businesses wishing to expand their
operations
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Key Strategy 3:Raise VVaukee's Profile among
Business Decision Makers
Waukee is growing and is creating new opportunities for
businesses to be successful.It.is important that business
decision makers have an understanding of demographic
changes in the community,infrastructure improvements that
open up new land for development,and Waukee's positive
attitude toward business development.Waukee's efforts to
raise its profile can be leveraged by partnering with state and
regional economic development.organizations,developing
trusting relationships with the media and wisely using
electronic media.
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Goal 1:Raise the City's Profile among Commercial Real
Estate Brokers
~Action 1:Maintain active membership in ICREA and
attend monthly meetings
Goal 2:Raise the City's Profile with the press
Action 1:Meet periodically with designated press
representatives to ensure that Waukee is receiving the
proper press coverage for all events
~Action 2:Work with the Business Record and the DSM
Register to increase articles about Waukee
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Key Strategy 3:Raise Waukee's Profile among Business Decision Makers
(continued
Goal 3:Build on City's relationship with the Greater Des Moines Partnership
(GDMP)and the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA).Use the
City's assets to strengthen the marketing efforts of both organizations.
~Action 1:Meet with the GDMP quarterly to align the City's and the GDMP's
marketing strategies
~Action 2:Meet with the IEDA annually to align the City's and IEDA's marketing
strategies
~Action 3:Provide the GDMP and IEDA with timely and direct information on
Waukee's development assets.
~Action 4:Attend monthly meetings hosted by the Professional Developers of Iowa
(PDI)
Goal 4:Use electronic media to strengthen the City's image and communication
with business
~Action 1:Develop an Economic Development department newsletter to
communicate community and business successes including project and
construction updates to existing and potential stakeholders.
~Action 2:Use electronic communication to solicit feedback from businesses.
~Action 3:Identify and communicate opportunities for business engagement in
community activities.
Goal 5:Review policies,fees and procedures related to development
~Action 1:Meet with the Community and Economic Development Advisory Council
(CEDAC)annually to review economic development policies,fees,and procedures
~Action 2:Ensure fair and consistent treatment of all customers of the City of
Waukee
~Action 3:Make development as quick and easy as possible while upholding the
standards set for Waukee
~Action 4:Ensure fees related to development are competitive with surrounding
communities
Goal 6:Involvement in national organizations
~Action 1:Active involvement in ICSC;attend annual conference and Midwest
conference
~Action 2:Active involvement in Urban Land Institute (ULI);attend one of two
conferences each year
Key Strate 4:Provide Development Options
The availability of sites and buildings are important to economic growth in Waukee.The
City has been active in working with landowners and developers to identify sites and
buildings within the City that are available for immediate development and yield
economic growth in Waukee.
Goal 1:Create easy paths for potential users to access information on Waukee
development options
~Action 1:Prepare in-depth information for each development site
~Action 2:Provide multiple avenues for accessing information on development sites
and available buildings
Goal 2:Identity business park areas that serve the need for the development of
future distribution facilities
~Action 1:Research sites with I-80 access and visibility along R-22 and sites west
of Waukee and north of Hickman
~Action 2:Develop concept plans for each area
Key Strate y 5:Build Relationships with Business Decision Makers
Developing business relationships with business leaders is a key way to get their input
into the development strategies being developed for Waukee.These relationships give
the City staff insight into economic trends and prospects looking at the market.
Goal 1:Develop a written relationship-building plan
~Action 1:Develop a written plan that defines who will be contacted,how often
contact will be made etc.
Goal 2:Strengthen relationships with Commercial Real Estate Brokers
~Action 1:Showcase Waukee at the annual iowa Commercial Real Estate
Association (ICREA)Expo
Action 2:Periodically present information on development opportunities in
Waukee to the staff of commercial brokers at their weekly staff meetings
Goal 3:Engage residents with strategic positions in business for their input in
industry trends and assistance in developing marketing strategies
~Action 1:Enhance the work of CEDAC to shape the economic development
strategies of the community
~Action 2:Coordinate meetings with CEDAC for input on what is happening with
business,industry and the general economy
~Action 3:Share information on economic activity in Waukee with members of
CEDAC
~Action 4:Report progress in the Economic Development Action Plan to CEDAC at
each meeting and quarterly meetings of the City Council.
Key Strate y 6:Provide Useful Information
Businesses that are considering a relocation or expansion in Waukee need relevant,
timely and accurate information on the community.The City of Waukee has committed
staff resources to gathering information that is important to businesses in their decision-
making process.GIS Planning site selection software provides easy access to
extensive information for business decision makers.City staff also provides useful
project specific information on Waukee through one-on-one conversations with business
prospects.
Goal 1:Gather and disseminate general information that is useful for developers
and businesses in making decisions to invest in Waukee.
~Action 1:Constantly improve the Community and Economic Development
Department section of the City website to enable businesses and developers to
acquire information necessary for development
~Action 2:Ensure that Waukee development land and building information is
accurate and complete on GIS Planning
~Action 3:Establish a key contact at each major commercial brokerage office in the
metro area to be a resource for listing information
Goal 2:Provide accurate and timely information in a format that utilizes the
strengths of the City of Waukee brand.
~Action 1:Develop and keep updated a repository of information useful to
businesses
Action 2:Respond to leads generated by the GDMP and IEDA
~Action 3:Execute responses in a manner that seeks to exceed clients'
expectations for timeliness and usefulness
~Action 4:Incorporate industry standards and emerging technologies into project
responses and inquiries
Key Strate y 7:Financial Incentives
The Gity has several financial incentives that can be customized to meet business
needs.The use of tax increment financing and other assistance has facilitated the
location and expansion of many businesses in Waukee over the past several years.
Goal 1:Offer financial assistance programs to new and existing businesses that
invest in Waukee and add taxable valuation and employment
opportunities.
~Action 1:Adopt a financial incentives policy that balances the needs of the
community with the assistance provided to businesses
~Action 2:Utilize Waukee's economic development programs to provide financial
incentives for the expansion and relocation of existing and new businesses.
~Action 3:Work with the iowa Economic Development Authority and the Greater
Des Moines Partnership to access state incentive programs for new and existing
businesses in Waukee.
Action 4:Develop new sources of assistance and refine existing programs to
encourage business growth in Waukee.
~Action 5:Use various communication methods to ensure that existing Waukee
businesses are aware of the City's economic development programs.