Economic Development: What It Means and Why It Matters
posted on Monday, May 6, 2019 in Economic Development
Written by Lisa Rivera Skubal, CEcD, VP of Economic Development
Economic development is the intentional execution of activity that support growth in communities, region and the state's economy. It's about making the connection amongst people, businesses, community and education.
At Grow Cedar Valley we do our part with collaborating with public and private sector partners to support the economy. This includes the retention and expansion of existing businesses; supporting a talent pool for existing businesses; supporting small businesses and entrepreneurship; and the recruitment of new complementing businesses.
Healthy communities have a strong and diversified economy. One measurement is by having healthy businesses that contribute to economy by bringing new money into the community through sales outside the area. This trickle effect spurs the spending power of people who live here affecting all aspects of the community from housing to main street.
Grow Cedar Valley's list of partners isn't exhaustive but do include our investors, existing businesses, higher and lower education, state and county officials, the cities and their staff, and elected leadership to name a few.
Everyone contributes to economic development whether you are an, educator, retailer, medical professional, restaurateur, elected official or even retired….it all matters and makes our community's economy stronger!
If you are still reading this, you are contributing to economic development in the Cedar Valley.
Lisa Rivera Skubal, CEcD
If you want to learn more about Grow Cedar Valley and the organization's economic development programming, contact Lisa Rivera Skubal, CEcD, Vice President of Economic Development at 232-1156 or lisa@growcedarvalley.com
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