Pumping economic vitality back into Douglas County

Consultant Karen Craig lifted the 6-inch-thick binder over her head.

Ten business plans for Douglas County from 1998 to 2009; 600 recommendations; 125 suggested projects.

"You have 10 fabulous plans," she told Douglas County commissioners Thursday. "These plans have been viewed through a variety of lenses, over hundreds of hours."

Craig ought to know.

She spent the last six months distilling the hundreds of pages of information into three focus areas and 12 viable projects designed to pump economic vitality into Douglas County.

Commissioners' task Thursday was to determine whether the projects were on target and in accord with the economic vitality goal of the county's strategic plan adopted in 2008.

"This is really an important process. We've been working on it for just under a year," said County Manager T. Michael Brown.

Craig was given a one-year, $120,000 contract in September to develop the Economic Vitality Action Plan.

"What is the best role for Douglas Count to play in that process?" Brown asked.

He said Craig was charged with gathering information, streamlining past plans and talking to people in the community to focus on where the county is today.

"One thing is really critical," Brown said. "We are spending money on a consultant and what are we getting out of it? At the end, this cannot be a document that sits on the shelf."

Craig has a September deadline to mobilize action plans.

"We have a commitment to be actively involved in the community's development," Brown said. "Once a project pops out, it's critical the board give direction as to what do we focus on and where we will be in 10 or 15 years."

The focus areas include: Outdoor recreation and lifestyle, distinctive downtowns and education and workforce.

Four priority projects were assigned to each category.

The downtown projects would include Lake Tahoe revitalization, historic Genoa, Main Street Gardnerville and Minden momentum.

Craig saluted the Tahoe Ridge Winery for its new Minden facility and the $8 million-$10 million that Carson Valley Inn poured into remodeling in just over two months earlier this year.

"Look at what people already doing. They're building partnerships to benefit all," she said.

The plan sets a goal of 2022 for Douglas County to be recognized nationally as a "best place to live, work, and play because of our community commitment education, recreation and innovation."

That's the year that the Reno-Lake Tahoe area hopes to host the winter Olympics.

"We don't know if we're going to get it, but you have to be ready for the world's eyes, cameras and feet," Craig said.

About a dozen business leaders and community activists attended the workshop.

Former County Commissioner Don Miner, a veteran of similar studies, urged the board not to overlook the past.

"Your direction is not new," Minor said. "These same proposals were addressed 15 years ago. I applaud what Karen Craig and Michael Brown presented, but you can't overlook what's happened in the past. A hell of a lot has happened."

Brad Nelson, chief executive officer of the Edgewood Companies, said the company had surveyed 1,000 people about why they visited Lake Tahoe.

"They come here because of the Lake, they like to ski and the resorts," Nelson said.

After the initial visit, however, he said people weren't as eager to return.

"If there was something new, or more to do, they probably would stay here," Nelson said.

If they viewed the Lake as "hodge-podge" or declining and no fun, they would probably elect to go someplace else, Nelson said.

"They're not seeing the renewal like Vail," he said.

Nelson said he expected the survey to be complete in about three weeks.

Former Commissioner Jacques Etchegoyhen said Douglas County is "absolutely at the tipping point and one point goes to hell."

"These are the most difficult economic times in our county in 70 years," he said. "I'm one of the biggest no-growthers in Douglas County and it doesn't work. People don't care about trails or outdoor recreation if they are poor and hungry."

Etchegoyhen urged the board to go after new businesses.

"Let's warmly welcome them to our Douglas County family. We need some game changers," he said.

Brown said the next five months would be devoted to creating action plans.

"The county can play a very strong leadership role in looking way out ahead," Brown said. "Let's pick a few of these and go after them.

He used a multi-generational community center as an example.

"You want it in two years? We'll have it. You'll have to prioritize it. Five years would be more realistic no matter what the economic situation is. You just have to make it a priority, we'll go after it," he said.

Craig said the economic vitality plan would have tangible results including better paying jobs, workforce expansion across all skill levels, national competitive school system, local access to higher education.

"If you don't start today, the next generation will have to do it," she said. "If you don't start today, you'll be back having this conversation in 10 years."

The next steps are to create an action plan for each project with a project coordinator and team to pinpoint a goal, set milestones, identify resources, timeframe and measures and get the projects underway, Craig said.

"The challenge of this board is to see what we can accomplish on this list," said Commissioner Mike Olson.

Craig said Friday she came away from the meeting with the sense that commissioners appreciated how crucial the plan is.

"The most exciting thing for me was to see the board eager for the challenge. That the group is honoring the process and honoring the responsibility makes for a really high degree of likely success," she said. "It's a good moment also for me to reflect how many voices there are."

Brown said he walked away from the session with confirmation that the county is on-target with the three focus areas and 12 projects.

"I am excited that we have the opportunity to work on a project like this that will have such a positive impact on the economic future of Douglas County," Brown said.

ON THE WEB

Douglas County Economic Vitality Action Planning

http://www.douglascountynv.gov/sites/Main/index.cfm

FOCUS AREAS AND PRIORITY PROJECTS

Outdoor recreation and lifestyle: 22 types of year-round trails; outdoor recreation and lifestyle, manufacturing and tourism; aviation sports, aviation mecca; people moving attractions;

Distinctive downtowns: Tahoe revitalization; Minden momentum; Genoa destination; Main Street Gardnerville;

Education & workforce: Maximize Western Nevada College facility; energy science park; experiential K-12; multi-generational community center.

Source: Douglas County Economic Vitality Workshop