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HomeMy WebLinkAbout7711RESOLUTION NO. 7711 A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE SUBMITTAL OF AN APPLI- CATION TO THE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION (EDA) FOR PLANNING ASSISTANCE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF SECTION 302(A) OF THE PUBLIC WORKS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACT OF 1965, AS AMENDED, AND AUTHORIZ- ING THE PRESIDENT OF THE CITY COUNCIL TO EXECUTE SAME WHEREAS, the City of Pueblo supports the ongoing economic development process for Downtown; and WHEREAS, the Department of Planning and Development has prepared an application to the EDA for $60,000 in planning assistance under the authority of Section 302(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended, to build internal capacity for supporting local economic development; and that: BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF PUEBLO, COLORADO, SECTION 1 An application to the EDA for planning assistance under the authority of Section 302(a) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965, as amended by the City in substantially the same form and content as that on file in the Department of Planning and Development, is hereby approved. The President of City Council is hereby authorized to execute the application on behalf of the City. SECTION 2 The applicant the 1996 budget of the 111- 000 - 010 -0104. match of $40,000 is a cash contribution which will be paid from Department of Planning and Development, Account No. 001 -0100- INTRODUCED: SEPTEMBER 25, 1995 By Fay Kastelic COUNCIL PERSON APPROVED: ICE PRESIDENIVOF THE CITY COUNCIL ATTEST: CITY CLERK PURPOSE OF THIS APPLICATION The City of Pueblo is requesting $60,000, with a match of $40,000, in continuing financial assistance from the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration, through the 302(a) Planning Program. The purpose of the continuing assistance is to support the City's ongoing economic development planning process and specifically to continue the Strategic Economic and Physical Development Planning effort for Pueblo, funded in 1992 through the EDA's 302(a) Planning Program. The additional funding will continue this work by preparing guidelines for using the World Wide Web (WWW) on the Internet to make economic development information available to entrepreneurs both locally and out of the Pueblo area, and to encourage Pueblo businesses to make use of this marketing and public relations tool by developing their own Web pages. HISTORY The City's overall Economic Development Program is based on the 1985 Final Report of the Economic Dislocation Adjustment Strategy prepared for the City of Pueblo, Colorado and the U.S. Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration. This report was initiated in May, 1984 following a series of plant closures and severe economic dislocation. Four critical areas addressed within the adjustment strategy were: • downtown development • expansion and retention of existing firms • training options • Airport Industrial Park infrastructure needs Through the strategies developed within the 1984 plan, the community successfully addressed the second and third issues (expansion and retention of existing firms, and training options) and the fourth issue (Airport Industrial Park infrastructure needs). The City is now broadening its focus from the creation of primary jobs at the Airport Industrial Park to retail and service sector jobs in the downtown area and to the development of tourism in downtown. Although Pueblo has shown significant economic development in some geographical areas, other areas remain stagnant. The City of Pueblo's 1994Data Book exhibits some economic gains in sales tax revenue in some areas but not in downtown. In an effort to lower the community's unemployment rate and increase income levels, the City is creating additional economic opportunities through a diversification of its economic base. Much of what has been done in Pueblo to alleviate or eliminate economic problems has been part of a long- term, multifaceted, continuous planning effort with a large base of support from both public officials and the private sector. Because the process is broadly focused, it involves an overall approach to economic development rather than a "one project will solve all" approach. Despite signs of physical redevelopment in downtown, economic benefits cannot yet be seen in the City's statistics. We are laying a foundation for long -term economic development rather than aiming for a short -term upswing in our economic graph. As Pueblo begins to diversify and reposition itself, the public and private capacity for economic activity needs to be built up. In 1993 the City of Pueblo received assistance from the EDA 302(a) Planning Program to prepare the Strategic, Economic, and Physical Development Plan for Downtown Pueblo, Colorado. The plan, which constituted Phase I of the City's economic development planning effort, targeted tourism development in the downtown as a means of expanding its economic base. In Phase II, Economic Guidelines for Downtown Pueblo, we probe beyond tourism in downtown and look closely at ways to build public and private sector capacity to increase opportunities in downtown for small businesses, to broaden the employment base there, and to increase salaries for existing jobs. In this context, "capacity" is defined as those foundations on which successful economic development efforts and downtowns are built: entrepreneurial, leadership, organizational, financial, and physical resources. FINDINGS During the implementation of Phase I1 we recognized that the spectacular growth of the Internet and particularly of its graphical expression, the World Wide Web, presents us, not just in the downtown area but in the entire community, with economic development tools not previously available or even imaginable. While many business people are aware of the Web, having read about it or heard about it from customers or suppliers, few know how to take advantage of it. In the public sector, many agencies have economic development documents and other materials available but lack the resources to publish and distribute them widely; while the Web offers some answers to this problem, in this sector, too, unfamiliarity discourages their use. In May, 1995, the City of Pueblo joined with several other community agencies, among them Pueblo County and School District 60, in requesting funds from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission to be used for developing telecommunications applications in the community. The PUC did not fund the proposed project, but discussions held during its generative stage showed that Pueblo is eager to apply, even pioneer the use of, digital technology to better itself. The PUC request necessarily restricted the applications for which funding was asked; applications for schools, libraries, and public safety were selected. It was recognized, however, that these were just a portion of an interconnected, overlapping series of applications to which digital technology could be beneficially applied in the Pueblo community. Among these applications was the use of interstate and international communications via the Internet to increase the market area of local businesses and to attract new businesses, including "lone eagles ", to Pueblo. Pueblo is already one of a small but growing number of Colorado communities with its own World Wide Web home page (http: / /usa.net /pueblo). Although it was launched (in 1994)by Pueblo County, and its funding presently comes from the County government, Pueblo On- Line's volunteer development team includes staff members of the City Department of Planning and Development who provide Web -coded information and graphics for the City's page. RFQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE Pueblo has a strong industrial heritage which served it well for several generations. The industrial age has ended and we find ourselves, unprepared, in an age of service and information. Phases I and II of our economic development planning addressed our response to the market for services, including tourism. Digital information media are available to use as tools for economic development; indeed, we must use them in order to compete and realize the strategies outlined in Phases I and 11. Yet we lack the knowledge and skills to use them successfully, if at all. As an extension of the work done during the first two phases of this plan, we will produce Creating Economic Opportunity in Pueblo via the World Wade Web in this third phase. Guidelines set forth in this document will help agencies involved in economic development activities for Pueblo get their plans, data and forms out to a wider audience with a minimum of difficulty. Guidance will also be included for businesses wishing to "go on- line ". The funds from this planning grant will not be used to finance, or to provide technical assistance to, any individual project, nor will they be used to implement the recommendations made in the document or any portion of the recommendations. They will instead be used to increase the awareness and understanding of the Web's capabilities and to provide a course of action in the form of a "how to" manual for taking advantage of those capabilities. This is a project to which geographical boundaries cannot effectively be applied; although the focus will be on Pueblo, the guidelines and processes outlined will be applicable elsewhere. Thus, the funds' impact and value can be multiplied by making the results of this work available to other communities. An effort will be made to carry the Internet research into a type of business that has recently become viable because of the Internet: "lone eagles ". A plan to encourage these activities would aid local entrepreneurs and, perhaps more so, those considering relocation from elsewhere. The issue of advertising on the Web will also be considered in this project. PROPOSAL - OUTLINE The planning grant will be used to finance a three -phase effort resulting in a plan to develop Pueblo's prospects for using the World Wide Web as part of its effort to overcome economic setbacks, and a course of action for doing so. Here we briefly outline the phases and steps involved in each stage. On the next page we describe the steps in more detail. In the Work Program Summary we describe the tasks we expect to carry out. Phase I 1. Organize to carry out the project • recruit a group of advisors 2. Scan the overall WW environment • determine major trends, issues, problems, technology, and opportunities • determine the internal environment for Web applications Phase II 1. Audit internal resources in economic development agencies, businesses, and telecommunications infrastructure • what are our strengths and weaknesses? 2. Perform gap analysis in economic development agencies, businesses, and telecommunications infrastructure • what improvements in services, skills, staffing, software, hardware, and telecommunications infrastructure are needed? Phase III Develop an action plan • prioritized list of infrastructure improvements needed • "how -to" manual for economic development agencies and businesses PROPOSAL — MORE DETAIL Phase I Part 1: Organize to Carry out the Project • recruit a group of volunteer advisors Among the people we intend to recruit for assistance with the project are: 1. Jerry Carleo, director of Information and Computer Services at Pueblo County, and the developer of Pueblo On -Line; for questions on policy, philosophy, and future directions of Pueblo On -Line 2. Claire Bueno, South High School teacher who has pioneered the teaching and use of the Internet in the Pueblo public schools; for questions on training 3. Klaus Dimmler, president of Internet Express, a major Internet provider to Pueblo, or Danny Winokur, marketing director at Internet Express and a technically knowledgeable person; for technical questions 4. Chuck Sekera, entrepreneur and Internet writer for the Pueblo Business Journal; for questions regarding the business community 5. John Norton, business editor and Internet writer for the Pueblo Chieftain; for help with explanations of technical subjects In the organizing stage we will seek other sources of input and advice as needed. Part 2. Scan the Overall WWW Environment • determine major trends, issues, problems, technology, and opportunities We will examine the growth of the World Wide Web, especially its commercial and information - distributing applications. What unique capabilities does it offer people who conduct businesses or promote business growth? How does it affect Pueblo's market? What new businesses forms have developed because of the Web? How has the global business community responded to it and used it? How are other cities and towns using the Web to build economic prosperity? • determine the internal environment for Web applications More than a simple desire to apply the Web will be required if Pueblo is to do so successfully. An inventory of current factors will be made. How well- understood is the Web among the business and economic development communities? What are the attitudes toward Web use in particular and computers in general? What does it take to use a modem in Pueblo, and does this vary from one building to another? Do economic development agencies and business have enough staff, with enough knowledge, tools, and time, to carry out their desires for Web use? Phase II Part 3.• Audit Internal Resources in Economic Development Agencies, Businesses, and Telecommunications Infra- structure • what are our strengths and weaknesses? Observing other communities' Web pages, one concludes that it is not the size of the community that determines either the quality or the quantity of material that can be mustered, but rather the human resources like enthusiasm, leadership, and cooperation. Who in Pueblo is already at work on the Web? Do we have leaders willing to see that needed changes can actually occur? Are the affected organizations willing and able to coordinate with each other? If an agency or business runs into difficulties achieving their goals for using the Web, to whom can they turn for assistance? Part 4.• Perform Gap Analysis in Economic Development Agencies, Businesses, and Telecommunications Infra- structure • what improvements in services, skills, staffing, software, hardware, and telecommunications infrastructure are needed? Fortunate circumstance, initiative and love of the WWW, alone, have driven some respectable pioneering efforts in Pueblo, but most organizations will not be able to employ the Web without an improved environment. What, specifically, must be provided? What is highest priority? Who should provide it, and in what form? How soon? Are there any legal implications? Phase III Part 5.• Develop an Action Plan (the document, Creating Economic Opportunity in Pueblo via the World Wide Web) • summary of the findings from previous steps • prioritized list of infrastructure improvements needed Businesses and economic development agencies cannot themselves provide such infrastructure items as better telephone lines. This must be done by utility companies, with the encouragement of local government. In the document that will be the culmination of our study project, we will present a "want list" of improvements in the hope that City leaders will begin to implement them. • "how -to" manual for economic development agencies and businesses Creating Economic Opportunity in Pueblo via the World Wide Web will serve as a handbook for organizations who wish to put the Web to work for them. In it they will find: • a glossary of Internet terms • current Internet access providers serving the Pueblo area • helpful newsgroups, magazines, books, articles, and online service resources • Web sites and other Internet resources for business • Web search tools such as Yahoo, WebCrawler, and Lycos • examples of businesses using the World Wide Web for public relations or marketing • discussion of security issues • list of software tools and the tasks for which they are most suited • Web page development services in Pueblo WORKPROGRAM SUMMARY Phase I — 10 weeks 1. Organize to carry out the project • recruit a group of advisors 2. Scan the overall WWW environment • research on the Web, in books and periodicals, and in discussion groups • interview economic development agencies and representative businesses • using a laptop computer equipped with 14.4 bps modem or better, introduce the WWW to organizations not familiar with it so they can develop informed opinions • atted relevant conferences if any can be found • obtain and experiment with software tools such as HTML editors, Adobe Acrobat, and others to determine usability and applicability Phase II — 8 weeks 1. Audit internal resources in economic development agencies, businesses, and telecommunications infrastructure • frank discussions with businesses, government agencies, and community leaders • discussions with and among the project advisors • benchmarking with other communities 2. Perform gap analysis in economic development agencies, businesses, and telecommunications infrastructure • query project advisors for recommendations Phase III — 8 weeks 1. Develop an action plan • summarize the results of previous steps • with assistance of project advisors, prioritize infrastructure needs • research on the Web, in books and periodicals, in discussion groups, and elsewhere to prepare glossary and other lists • write the document, Creating Economic Opportunity in Pueblo via the World Wide Web CIVIL RIGHTS SURVEY DEPARTMENT OF PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT name position race /sex Janet Moore Planning Technician white /f Catherine Green Senior Planner /Downtown white /f Donald Vest Planner white /m Betty Gonzales Clerk/typist Hispanic /f salary/yr funding sources hiring date $29,648 Federal /EDA/City 10/08/92 $45,772 Federal /EDA/City 12/15/92 $36,810 City of Pueblo 01/01/85 $24,948 City of Pueblo 01/01/84 ADDRESSING THE CONCERNS OF MINORITIES AND WOMEN In addition to being a virtually non - discriminatory vehicle for business advertising and promotion, the World Wide Web has much to offer minority- and woman -owned businesses in the way of economic development tools. A "one -stop shop" for data on doing business in Pueblo would be advantageous for any business, but particularly one with minimal resources for data gathering. In this project we intend to look at the needs of a special, relatively new phenomenon in entrepreneurship: the "lone eagle" who works from home, doing business internationally via the modem. This style of business is an attractive alternative for those facing discrimination in more traditional settings. UNRESOLVED ISSUES OR NEGATIVE DETERMINATIONS There are no unresolved issues or negative determinations issued within the past two years arising from civil rights compliance review, complaints, lawsuits, or other allegations of discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age involving the applicant. Time Frame 1996 J F M A M T T A S O N D PHASE I 1. Organize 2. Scan the overall Web Environment PHASE II I. Audit Internal Resources 2. Perform Gap Analysis