Bringing the economic vitality plan to life

The fiscal new year brings a change in title and responsibilities for Lisa Granahan who has served for the past six years as assistant to County Manager T. Michael Brown.

On July 1, Douglas County commissioners approved a lateral change in Granahan's position. She is now the county's economic vitality manager.

Her former position has been eliminated, and Granahan stays at the same salary range of $64,020.10-$86,028.80.

"The real focus is to insure that the economic vitality project teams that are being identified are staying focused on goals and milestones," Granahan said. "I will make sure I am the central point of communication for all of them."

The economic vitality action plan focuses on three areas and 12 priority projects to create lasting economic, environmental, social and cultural capital.

Granahan said she would be the county's point person to work with business partners including the Northern Nevada Development Association, Nevada Small Business Development Center, and chambers of commerce on business retention.

She will incorporate her new role into ongoing efforts in strategic planning for the county.

"This position carves out a role to assist with the county's community relations effort, work more closely with the media and provide information on key issues available to the public via the county's Web site," Granahan said.

She will continue to work on the county's acquisition of the Seeman ranch and development of a lands bill until those projects are complete. Other projects will be reassigned to county staff.

Brown reminded commissioners July 1 they had been talking about a leadership role in the county's economic vitality plans for two years.

Last September, the county signed a $120,000 one-year contract with consultant Karen Craig with whom Granahan worked to review and consolidate the county's past economic projects.

"As we finish our action planning and move to implementation, we've got to have dedicated staff in place," Granahan said. "This has been a lot of my responsibility in the last couple of months."

Brown told the board that Granahan was the ideal candidate.

"This position is consistent with Lisa's skill set and the board's desire to support the economic vitality plan," Brown said. "Lisa is exceptionally organized and very personable."

Commissioner Nancy McDermid said Granahan had exceptional skills to bring to the new position, lauding the work she did as temporary town manager for Genoa.

"As we near completion of our economic vitality planning later this summer, it is important to have dedicated staff in place to ensure project teams are focused on goals and milestones," said Chairman Mike Olson.

Granahan said talking with community members has reinforced for the importance of the economic vitality plan.

"I am very excited," Granahan said. "It's really cool to be able to bring these developing plans to life. Soon we will launch an online effort to bring more outdoor recreation and lifestyle manufacturers to Douglas County, diversifying the business base in the county and bringing in manufacturers who value and appreciate our quality of life."

by Sheila Gardner

sgardner@recordcourier.com

Minden, with its "distinctive downtown" and historic charm, has a major role to play in Douglas County's Economic Vitality Plan.

Consultant Karen Craig brought the county's proposal to the town July 7 with an invitation to participate.

"People need to slow down and walk through your beautiful town because every brick, every sign deserves to be looked at," she said.

Craig is nearing the end of a one-year contract with Douglas County during which she distilled hundreds of pages from previous business plans into three focus areas and 12 projects for the county's economic development plan.

Lisa Granahan, formerly assistant to the county manager, has been appointed economic vitality manager to oversee the projects.

"We've got to get people to slow down." said board member Steve Thaler. "I can't tell you how many people drive through and say, 'I can't remember that being there.'"

"Minden momentum" falls in the plan's category of distinctive downtowns along with Genoa and Gardnerville.

"We can't deny how important our downtowns are," Craig said. "What do we want to do with Minden? You have an absolute gem."

Craig pointed out the recent investment of $8 million into the remodel of Carson Valley Inn, and the relocation of Tahoe Ridge Winery to Minden as examples of businesses reinforcing their commitments to the town.

"Carson Valley Inn spent $8 million in 58 days in the most tasteful upgrade of a casino I've ever seen," Craig said. "That's momentum."

Board chairman Bob Hadfield said an issue is the abandoned, weed-choked Minden Gateway project which is one of the first sights to greet visitors to the town.

"One of the challenges is we've got a lot of office buildings and we don't have much left of commercial. It just seems to me it may be beneficial to get government bodies together to discuss how do we mix and preserve the old and new, and how do we keep people here," Hadfield said.

"How do we make something happen at Gateway?" he asked.

Board member Dave Sheets said it was important for Minden to keep its identity.

"Minden is Minden," he said. "We don't want to be Gardnerville or Genoa."

He said he agreed with the concept.

"An overall plan is way overdue. It's necessary to survive," Sheets said. "The people already here need to hear from you and from us that we want them to stay, and how much we appreciate them."