|
Key Issue Area |
|||
|
Economy |
|||
|
Goals |
|||
|
EG-1 Maintain a viable, diverse economy for Highland County Citizens. |
|||
|
Objectives |
|||
|
EO-1 Diversify the employment base. EO-2 Support and expand the existing businesses and industries now operating in Highland. EO-3 Ensure that new business and industrial development occurs in suitable locations while considering the County’s environmental, scenic and rural character. EO-4 Strengthen agricultural infrastructure to maintain it as an important economic sector. Establish best strategies for farmland management. EO-5 Assist local businesses in promoting their products at the local, state and national level. EO-6 Identify and attract businesses that offer wages and benefits adequate to support working families with children. EO-7 Maintain the County’s high quality of life, which serves to attract new employers and employees. EO-8 Develop a strong telecommunications infrastructure. EO-9 Encourage value added enterprises. EO-10 Investigate ways of obtaining affordable, comprehensive health insurance for as many local residents as possible. EO- 11 Recognize tourism as a diverse and viable economic development opportunity with emphasis on regional heritage, eco-tourism, agri-tourism and outdoor recreation. |
|||
|
Strategies |
Timeline |
Responsibility |
|
ES-1 Encourage and strengthen partnerships between businesses and the public schools to improve the preparation of graduates for the workforce. |
Continuous |
School Board, Highland Occupational Mentoring Experience |
|
ES-2 Attract businesses that provide high-skilled jobs. |
Continuous |
Economic Development Authority |
|
ES-3 Monitor the potential for a County Enterprise Zone |
Continuous |
Economic Development Authority, Board of Supervisors |
|
ES-4 Continue to strengthen the County’s relationships with the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, Economic Development Administration, Appalachian Regional Commission and Virginia Department of Business Assistance. |
Continuous |
Economic Development Authority, The Highland Center, Chamber of Commerce, Board of Supervisors |
|
ES-5 Develop a business Call Plan to enhance relationships between the County and local businesses. |
2007 |
Economic Development Authority |
|
ES-6 Support Highland’s commitment to the Virginia Western Highlands Travel Council to promote local and regional tourism. |
Continuous |
Chamber of Commerce, |
|
ES-7 Continue to market the Staunton to Parkersburg Pike and McDowell Battlefield as valuable historic, cultural and economic assets for the County. |
Continuous |
Chamber of Commerce, |
|
ES-8 Create initiatives for bringing mid week |
2008 |
Chamber of Commerce, The Highland Center |
|
ES-9 Form citizens group to coordinate with the U S Forest Service and the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries to allow for more recreational development on public land. |
2008 |
Board of Supervisors |
|
ES-10 When zoned appropriately, encourage businesses to occupy existing vacant buildings, rather than constructing new ones. |
Continuous |
Economic Development Authority, The Highland Center, Chamber of Commerce |
|
ES-11 Explore tax structures that minimize the burden on agricultural operations. |
2008 |
Board of Supervisors, Virginia Cooperative Extension |
|
ES-12 Establish an Agricultural Center and animal processing facility. |
2008 |
Ag Center Committee |
|
ES-13 Continue to provide strong support for farm management planning and best management practices for local farms. |
Continuous |
Virginia Cooperative Extension, Mountain Soil and Water Conservation District |
|
ES-14 Continue to support efforts for reducing coyote attacks upon livestock. |
Continuous |
Board of Supervisors, U S Department of Agriculture |
|
ES-15 Encourage the timber industry to explore adding more local value to its products. |
2008 |
Economic Development Authority |
|
ES-16 Continue training opportunities for businesses. |
Continuous |
The Highland Center |
|
ES-17 Explore the creation of a Highland website where local businesses and craftsmen can market their products globally. |
2008 |
Chamber of Commerce, The Highland Center |
|
ES-18 Identify and support the providing of the latest technology to local businesses at all levels. |
Continuous |
Economic Development Authority, The Highland Center |
|
ES-19 Continue to identify and promote new destinations and activities that will support tourism growth in Highland. |
Continuous |
Chamber of Commerce |
|
ES-20 Monitor health care legislative initiatives and have businesses contact legislators to communicate the importance of being able to provide health insurance to their employees. |
Continuous |
Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Authority |
|
ES-21 Conduct feasibility study for a certified child care center. |
2009 |
Economic Development Authority |
|
ES-22 Develop a tourism-marketing plan that will support local tourist-related services and businesses while encouraging increased traffic to the County. |
2010 |
Chamber of Commerce |
|
ES-23 Budget a nominal amount of funding ($5,000) annually to seed local economic development efforts. If funding is not used in a particular year, carry it over to the following year. |
2008 |
Board of Supervisors |