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Cluster 2

Rural Commercial Centers

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Data on this page was collected from an AWC survey on economic development.

• 56% of cities in this cluster completed the survey
• Average population size, 2006: 4,851

Economic Development in Cluster 2 Communities

Economic Development Planning

• Percent of cities with economic development departments or staff members: 20%

  • Year city began to fund department or staff member: 1999 to 2007

  • Number of FTE designated for economic development purposes: .25 to 2 FTE

• Percent of cities with a written economic development plan: 40%

  • Percent of cities using the economic development element of the comprehensive plan as their economic development plan (reported percentage is of those answering yes to previous question): 80%

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS, STRATEGIES AND TOOLS

• Focus of city economic development efforts

  Industry Area	% of Cities in Cluster
  Tourism/Hospitality	90%
  Retail/Service	80%
  Manufacturing	50%
  Agricultural	20%
  Technology/Telecommunications	20%
  Institutional	10%
  Residential (commuters)	10%
  Warehousing/Distribution	0%

    

• Major city economic development strategies*

  Strategies	% of Cities in Cluster
  Quality of Life Improvements	90%
  Downtown Revitalization	90%
  Infrastructure Improvements	70%

   

• City services used to promote economic development*

  Services	% of Cities in Cluster
  Parks/Recreation Services	100%
  Zoning	100%
  Infrastructure	90%
  Streamlined Permitting Process	90%
  Marketing for Businesses, Business Area, Downtown, etc.	70%
  Special Event and Facility Services	70%
  Historic Preservation	70%
  Location Demographic and/or Other Data Provisions	67%
  Streamlined Business Licensing	63%
  Advanced Telecommunications Provisions	60%
  Arts/Cultural Services	60%

   

• Tools used to promote economic development*

  Tools	% of Cities in Cluster
  Community Development Block Grant	90%
  Community Economic Revitalization Board	80%
  Public Works Trust Fund Low Interest Loans	80%
  Rural/Distress County Sales Tax	67%
  Special Assessment District/LIDs	50%
  Comments made under “other” by one or more cities: Initialized trail scenic byway

BARRIERS TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• Major city barriers to economic development*

  Barriers	% of Cities in Cluster
  Limited Number of Major Employers	80%
  Lack of Private Sector Capital/Funding	80%
  Federal/State Mandates	80%
  Distance from Major Markets	70%
  Environmental Regulations	60%
  Inadequate Infrastructure	50%
  Lack of Skilled Labor	50%
  Lengthy State Permit Process	50%
  Comments made under “other” by one or more cities: Lack of tax base

   

• Infrastructure improvement and expansion needs that are barriers to economic development

  Industry Area	% of Cities in Cluster
  Sidewalks	50%
  Streets	50%
  Stormwater	40%
  Advanced Telecommunications	40%
  Water Availability/Quality	30%
  Bridges	10%
  Sewer	10%

   

* Items noted were indicated by 50% or more of cities within the city cluster

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