HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007 - Economic Advisory Commission - Annual ReportEconomic Advisory Commission
2007 Annual Report
2007 was the first year of the Economic Advisory Commission (Ordinance No.021,
2007) functioning to advise Council on matters pertaining to the economic health in Fort
Collins.
9 members appointed by City Council, representing a cross section of the economics,
business or finance sectors of the community include Christophe Febvre, Sarah Hach,
Beena Bawa, Bill Timpson, Jim Clark, Blue Hovatter, Stu MacMillan, Rick Price, Kevin
Shaw.
2007 Year in Review:
Defining a Fort Collins Healthy Economy Executive Summary:
As part of its mission, EAC members have agreed to maintain a high-level focus on the
interaction of the City's economy within the City's environmental and social
infrastructure. Within the framework of its mission and objectives, EAC members have
agreed to review ideas, policies, practices and regulations that impact the City's economy
based on the five following characteristics:
• A Vibrant Business Environment
• Local and Regional Collaboration
• An Innovative Learning Community
• Quality Workforce
• Diverse Economy
The EAC sees reviewing these definitions over the coming years to assure it is still
relevant in relation to the work of the commission.
NCEDC funding support:
The EAC recommended to City Council their support to provide funding to NCEDC in
the 2008 budget for services and programs that support the further implementation of the
City's Economic Action Plan. The EAC specifically recommends that the City funding
be provided to support the projects, services and programs including the regional
economist, Fort Collins Cluster development, Fort Collins Technology Incubator,
Business retention and expansion, and Industry data collection and surveys.
Climate Task Force:
Blue Hovatter is the Economic Advisory Commission representative to the Climate Task
Force created March 6, 2007. The Climate Task Force is made up of representatives who
are willing to work collaboratively with community members and who are committed to
recommending an updated plan with measures that Fort Collins could implement to
achieve its existing greenhouse gas reduction goal. The commission heard a presentation
by Lucinda Smith, senior environmental planner, on climate protection that provides
strategic opportunities to enhance Fort Collins economic health and sustainability. The
EAC recommended to the Climate Task Force that they further analyze the present
cost/benefit trade-off information and report back to the EAC in 2008.
Mason Corridor:
Mike Freeman presented to the EAC the Mason Corridor Economic Analysis overview
covering the Revised Population and Household Forecast, Corridor development
Potentials, Economic Impacts and Public Finance Options.
Regional Economy:
After review of the EAC Position Statement, CSU Regional Economist Martin Shields,
presented to the Economic Advisory Commission. The EAC invites professional
economic input in order to study the economic ideas on trends in the region.