April 20, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tombstone Mayor Announces Economic Development Task Force

Today Mayor Jack Henderson has announced the formation of the Tombstone Economic Development Task Force. This group is charged with the task of formulating recommendations for a new and much needed focus on Economic Development. The group will make recommendations to the City Council on:

1. Identify the type of organization to create

             a. City economic development commission

b. Independent organization in which the city participates and/or provides funding (e.g., nonprofit economic development foundation)          

2. Establish mission; will be affected by type of organization established but should include:

a. Identification of regional economic development assets that can be shared/tapped into (e.g., site selection leads, economic development software, etc.) 

b. Establish partnerships with state and regional economic development organizations (AZ Commerce Authority, SVEDF, SAEDG, SEAGO, etc.)

c. Identify funding needs/sources (e.g., city general fund revenue, outside grants)

d. Establish a web presence for Tombstone economic development (e.g., link from city website, separate website if independent organization)

e. Develop an economic development plan for the city that takes into account current city boundaries and annexation potential

             f. Establish a one-stop center for economic development matters for the city

             g. Identify and pursue leads for potential new businesses

             h. Identify and implement existing business retention and expansion goals

 

The members of this task force have been identified:

--Robert Carreira, Director of the Center for Economic Research at Cochise College

--George Scott, former Benson mayor and current Executive Director of the Southeast Arizona Economic Development Group

--Akos Kovach, Economic Development Planner for the Southeast Arizona Governments Organization

--Mignonne Hollis, Executive Director of the Sierra Vista Economic Development Foundation

--Susan Wallace, Tombstone Chamber of Commerce Board President

--Barbara Highfield, Tombstone Real Estate

--J. R. Botts, Tombstone Chamber of Commerce Executive Director

Mayor Henderson commented, “We are very pleased this group of economic development specialists and community leaders have offered to help us with this critical mission. It is said that every great journey starts with one first step and I am confident  that our first steps in this endeavor will be so much better with their advice and counsel.”