ARTICLE
Date	ArticleType
6/15/2005	Economic Development
Economic Development Restructuring Proposal Now Complete
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 15, 2005; 6:30 p.m. EDT Economic Development Proposal Now Complete Restructuring Committee Unanimously Endorses New Plan (Cleveland County, NC) – The vision of an endeared county leader is being carried forward today as public and private sector officials are unveiling their proposal for the restructuring of economic development that will provide a voice for the private sector for the first time in county history. Prior to 2002, the economic development department was part of county government. At the time, then-commissioner Charlie Harry saw new possibilities for Cleveland County by moving economic development to the Cleveland County Chamber. Although Commissioner Harry passed away before seeing the results of his vision, other community leaders recognized the importance and wisdom behind the idea. The economic development department officially became part of the Chamber in the fall of 2002 with a plan to pursue private funding for economic development within two years. While the process has been evolving since economic development was moved under the Chamber’s organizational umbrella, those involved in the most-recent restructuring unanimously approved the new composition for economic development to include public and private sector partners. The proposal will be voted upon by the Cleveland County Chamber Board of Directors and Cleveland County Commissioners during separate meetings on June 21. “We have been moving in uncharted territory,” said County Commission Chairman Ronnie Hawkins. “We knew that the partnership was right for Cleveland County and that given the chance, Commissioner Harry’s idea could flourish. We have been on a road that has had some bumps along the way, but we feel confident that the new economic development composition will meet the needs of all county citizens, whether their support comes through public dollars or through private investment.” The Cleveland County Chamber unveiled a private-sector fundraising campaign in October of 2004 and succeeded in generating private-sector pledges of $225,000 a year to assist in funding a five-year economic development strategy known as “Cleveland 20/20: A Clear Focus on Economic Prosperity for Cleveland County.” The plan was developed in part from the 2002-2003 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), Focus: Cleveland, the 2003 Fall Planning Conference, and interviews conducted by Resource Development Group during the feasibility assessment phase of the fundraising campaign. Officials suspected that changes might need to be made to the way economic development was structured, but wanted to wait for more collaboration before any final decisions were made. “The scope of this undertaking has been much larger than many people realize,” said Chamber Board Chairman Mark Carter. “Each person involved has had the best interests of the Cleveland County community at heart. Of course, determining what is best for a community as diverse as ours is always a challenge. We are extremely pleased to be able to say that we are now all in one accord, ready to move forward with a new structure and to accept the new challenges we know are coming our way.” Meetings held in the early part of 2005 revealed that public sector officials desired a more gradual, less aggressive pace for economic development restructuring. A committee of 12 members was assembled with representation from Cleveland County, City of Kings Mountain, City of Shelby, Town of Boiling Springs, Cleveland County Sanitary District, Cleveland County Chamber, and Cleveland 20/20. This group participated in four work sessions during the months of May and June that resulted in their unanimous endorsement of a new structure for economic development which they say is more inclusive of public and private sector investors. The restructured group is divided into four sections. The largest group is the “Cleveland 20/20 Economic Development Partnership.” This group is comprised of anyone and everyone who contributes any amount to economic development. From the general taxpaying public to private investors, the Cleveland 20/20 Economic Development Partnership is open to all citizens and will meet annually. From this group, a “Cleveland 20/20 Advisory Council” will be formed. This group will meet quarterly and participate in the annual meeting of the larger partnership. Currently, 35 people are at the Cleveland 20/20 Advisory Council “benefactor” level, including all municipal partners. A “Cleveland 20/20 Advisory Council Executive Committee” will be formed from the Advisory Council level, and that group will consist of seven people (three public sector representatives and four at-large representatives.) Of the four at-large representatives, three must represent the private sector. Three members from this group of seven would also serve on the Board of Directors for the Cleveland County Chamber. The Cleveland 20/20 Advisory Council Executive Committee members will meet monthly, quarterly (with full Advisory Council), and annually (with full Economic Development Partnership). The Cleveland County Chamber Board of Directors will continue to serve as the governing body for economic development. The Chamber Board meets monthly and will also meet annually with the Cleveland 20/20 Economic Development Partnership. “We firmly believe we have found a wonderful balance with this proposed plan,” said Hawkins. County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the proposed restructuring plan during their regularly scheduled meeting on June 21 at 6 p.m. “We believe citizens will recognize these efforts stem from a sincere desire to make this county more prosperous,” said Carter. “We have shared the vision of a great county leader and hopefully will one day also be remembered as courageous, committed, caring, and compassionate.” ###