Colusa officials defend economic development approach

Economic development is the most coveted goal of counties and cities everywhere — and yet it has become the most dangerous phrase in Colusa, CA.

While debate in Colusa is largely focused on that high-end consultant's contract, and a less-than-veiled political campaign waged against City Manager Jan McClintock, the pace of economic development is also an issue. More here. 

Griffiss: Where to go from here

This article talks about the challenges and successes that one community has had in marketing a formal military base.  About 5800 people work at the former Griffiss Air Force Base, two aircraft maintenance companies are up and running and Oneida County is working to develop niche markets for commercial and cargo flights. More here. 

Selling Sioux Falls from the Big Apple

Sioux Falls is considering hiring New York-based Development Counsellors International to develop a $65,000 marketing strategy to tell their story on a national scale. 
Slater Barr, president of the Sioux Falls Development Foundation, said the aim is to recruit new capital investment by raising national awareness of what Sioux Falls has to offer.

“We’re looking at, how do we promote Sioux Falls, how do we carry Sioux Falls’ very strong message to the rest of the nation, or even internationally,” Barr said. More here.

CEO says ‘Wisconsin is good for business’

The head of the state’s economic development organization today said that not only is Wisconsin “open” for business, but Wisconsin is “good” for business. Paul Jadin, CEO/Secretary of the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC), told economic development professionals attending the Governor’s Conference on Economic Development today that the organization has set an aggressive and innovative agenda to spur business and job growth across the state.

“If we don’t support entrepreneurs we won’t create jobs. If we don’t expand exports, we won’t create jobs. And if we don’t retain businesses in Wisconsin, we won’t create jobs,” said Jadin. “We are focusing on all these fronts with other state agencies, local communities and economic development partners to be more aggressive and responsive to business and job growth opportunities.”  More here.