Century Gets Preview Of Haas Center Economic Development Plan

March 4, 2014

The Haas Center is well on the way to completing an Economic Development Strategic Plan for the Town of Century.

Monday night, Brice Harris from the Haas Center, the research and consulting arm of the University of West Florida, updated on the town council on their work over the past five months.

In addition to research, the Haas Center has solicited input from area businesses, residents and other economic development agencies in the region in developing the plan, funded by a $25,000 a Community Planning Technical Assistance Grant from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity

Under the grant requirements, the Haas Center is developing an economic and demographic profile report, local and regional market area analysis, accepted input from local and regional stakeholders and soliciting input from a steering committee.

During March, the Haas Center will work to identify challenges and opportunities for economic development that exist in the local and regional market area. That report will be presented to the town by March 30.

The center will continue to work closely with the steering committee during March and April to develop strategies aimed at achieving their goals and and objectives. An additional meeting will be scheduled with area residents to solicit input on the plan’s vision, mission, strategic goals and objectives as identified by the steering committee.

The final draft of the strategic plan is  due to the town by April 30, with an implementation plan and funding matrix to be submitted by May 30.

The proposed plan includes the following:

Vision: The Town of Century will be the model for rural economic redevelopment, excelling in cultivating its workforce, facilitating the growth of regional industry, and enhancing the quality of life for its residents and the surrounding communities.

Mission: The Town of Century will act as a regional hub for interstate commerce that is sustained and cultivated through collaboration with its surrounding communities to become a  transformative force for regional economic development

Goals:

  1. Lead the region in rural economic competitiveness.
  2. Lead the region in rural community revitalization.
  3. Lead the region in the development and delivery of innovative and relevant workforce training  programs.

Objectives:

  1. Cultivate and support sustainable employment opportunities for the residents of Century.
  2. Create an environment that is conducive for business/industry recruitment, retention, and expansion.
  3. Increase Century’s attractiveness to workers, residents, and visitors.
  4. Foster and support an entrepreneurial environment.
  5. Restore Century’s sense of civic pride.
  6. Promote Century’s cultural, historical, and recreational assets.

Pictured top:  Brice Harris of the Haas Center updates the Century Town Council Monday night. NorthEscambia.com photo, click to enlarge.

Comments

7 Responses to “Century Gets Preview Of Haas Center Economic Development Plan”

  1. Duke of Wawbeek on March 5th, 2014 8:33 am

    I admire Century as she just picks herself up, dust herself off and starts all over again.

  2. Matt Dobson on March 4th, 2014 4:27 pm

    This is a very broad and general outline. It can work, but I hope the report leads to some specific areas that can fall under these general goals. These things can happen but it’s going to take a collaborative effort from people in our town to lead the programs that will eventually achieve these goals. What’s going to happen is the Haas Center will present some programs that have worked in other places. But like most things that make a difference, there has to be support by the folks that really want to see things turn around for Century. Haas cannot wave a magic wand and say ok Century…it’s a new day! We’ve got to want positive change to get positive change. I want it!

  3. Robert S. on March 4th, 2014 7:18 am

    “Interstate Commerce” sounds like the same name game as Pensacola International Airport where the International part comes because UPS has planes bringing packages in from other countries or private planes from out of the USA can bring in passengers.
    Guess it means if a truck of produce goes across the state line that makes it “Interstate”.

    GREAT Goals and Objectives and hope there is something behind these words for the people of Century and the surrounding area.

    I still think the fish hatchery, planned for the Pensacola waterfront, would make a very good and very clean operation for Century. It could start small and expand as the needs increase and hire locals in real permanent jobs.

    The words of the Mr. Harris are a grand challenge to the City Council of Century, now it is time for them to step up to the plate and move this forward for those who they represent.

  4. john on March 4th, 2014 6:28 am

    Looks like an outline to me, not an actual road map to accomplish these things.

  5. cygie on March 4th, 2014 6:13 am

    Century as a regional hub for interstate commerce. Hmmmmmm. Just not seeing it, at least when the town is more concerned with farm animals than with real problems like drugs, poverty, and a lack of community pride.

  6. 429SCJ on March 4th, 2014 4:14 am

    Century should get into the business of selling pipe dreams to dysfunctional municipalities.

    That would appear to be where the profits are.

  7. Jane on March 4th, 2014 3:53 am

    Looks to me as if the County Commissioners could learn something from this….

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News