Jim Damicis gave a presentation on organizational strategic planning for economic development. He discussed the role of economic development organizations in implementing strategic plans through tools like business retention, workforce development, and quality of place initiatives. Damicis explained that major economic development efforts are usually led by one organization with partners providing secondary support. Assessing an organization's capacity, developing implementation plans, monitoring progress, and adapting strategies are important parts of the strategic planning process. The goal is for economic development organizations to be efficient, collaborative, results-driven, and responsive leaders in their communities.

1. Jim Damicis
Senior Vice President
Camoin Associates
March 7-8, 2019
Phoenix AZ
1
Economic Development
Strategic Planning

2. Organizational Strategic Planning
2
Organizational Responsibilities
for Making it Happen
Agenda:
Role of the Economic Development Organization
Assessing Institutional Capacity
Leading & Supporting the Effort
2

3. Economic Development is Accomplished
Through…
Tools and techniques:
 Business retention and expansion
 Business attraction
 Global trade and foreign investment
 Workforce development
 Business technical assistance
 Innovation and entrepreneurial support
 Quality of place/place-based development
 Community development
As well as:
 Planning
 Organizing
 Implementation
 Resource development

4. The Role of the Economic Development Organization
4
Economic developer as point guard – able to distribute work and responsibilities to
those best able to act
Able to function regionally
Reliance on information, knowledge, and intelligence
Higher demand for transparency, nontraditional civic engagement/involvement –
crowdsourcing, and social media
Demand for metrics
Adaptability – comfort with complexity

5. Potential
Implementation
Resources
Competencies
To Take On
Additional Tasks
Strengths &
Weaknesses
5
Assessing Institutional Capacity

6. Factors to Assess
Leadership
support
Staffing
Volunteer
network
Existing
programs &
services
Organizational
policies &
plans
Financial
resources
Real estate &
equipment
resources
6

7. Keep in Mind:
Many major economic development
initiatives are implemented by partnering
entities.
Implementers can be described as having
lead or secondary responsibility.
Identifying & seeking endorsement of the
lead responsible entity is critical.
7

8. Lead Responsibility
 May be agency, organization, or group
 Key implementer & primary coordinator
 May call for expansion of current operations
8
Business
retention &
expansion goal
Local chamber
of commerce
(similar entity)
IMPLEMENTATION
LED BY

9. Taking the Lead
 Action plans
 Assume responsibility for appropriate action steps
 Oversee & advise on progress
 Submit progress reports
 Carry out other necessary responsibilities
9

10. Secondary/Active Support Responsibility
 Design necessary action steps alongside lead
agencies
 Assume responsibility for appropriate action
steps
 Report to lead agency/organization
 Progress, challenges, key findings
10

11. Adoption & Endorsement
process
• Inform
organizations
1
• Gather
feedback
2 • Request formal
adoption &
formally
endorsement
3
11

12. Meeting/Presentation Should Include:
 Review of strategic planning process
 Public input, draft plan development
 Lead & secondary organization roles
 Specific responsibilities
 Action plans
 Monitoring implementation
 Next steps
12

13. Next Steps/Going Forward Timetable
 Integration of input from various organizations
 Development of action plans
 Development of plan brochure/document
 Public unveiling of plan
 Ongoing monitoring of plan implementation
13

14. Duties of the Monitoring Body
• Assist in action plan development, if needed
Obtain initial implementation action
plans
• Quarterly or semiannual basis
Obtain formal status reports
• Leadership team, implementing organizations, &
community
Provide periodic (typically annual)
updates
14

15. Efficient
with
Funding
Strong
Alliances
&
Networks
Creative
Risk Takers
Measure
Results &
Adjust
Strategic
Plan
Driven by
Customer
Trust &
Respect
Respond &
Adapt
Leadership
& Capacity
Communicate
High Performing EDOs

16. Jim Damicis
Senior Vice President
• Immediate Past President, Northeastern Economic Developers
Association (NEDA)
• IEDC, Economic Development Research Program, International
Economic Development Council & Course Instructor
• Collaborator – Communities of the Future
• 25+ Years Experience in Economic and Community
Development
Email: jim@camoinassociates.com
Website: www.camoinassociates.com
Twitter: @jdamicis
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/jdamicis
Blog: www.camoinassociates.com/navigator