During the Nov. 8 Holbrook City Council meeting, council members lent their support to the formation of an economic development committee. Vice Mayor Wade Carlisle moved to form the committee that would number up to nine members, including up to three council members and one city employee.
To give the committee specific goals, the council asked that those who are selected to review the economic development portion of the city plan develop a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) analysis and a marketing plan.
In his motion, Carlisle noted that all of the goals will be completed by the end of March, “so the market plan is in the budget.”
The decision to form a committee came after Community Development Director Kathleen Smith gave a presentation regarding the current objectives of economic development.
Smith explained that although many people think that retail is key to economic development, “Retail will follow industry, and the city is actively pursuing industry.”
Outdoor industries, such as hunting, outdoor sports, and potentially gun manufacturing and ammunition, grocery stores and some retail are the city’s focus. “We want to entice new industry, but can’t lose the ones we already have,” said Smith.
She said that a critical role of property owners in Holbrook will be their willingness to keep up building maintenance and keep their rent reasonable.
It also involves what Smith called, “economic gardening,” which would create jobs by helping small businesses expand locally, an attractive asset that the city has worked to make a reality.
Northland Pioneer College and the Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology provide skilled labor instruction in the area. Even so, Smith spoke with local business owners who said the biggest issue they face is a skilled workforce.
“IEDC (International Economic Development Committee) research has shown that most new job creation will come from existing businesses within a community,” stated Smith. “Therefore, existing businesses are a critical focus for local economic development efforts.”
She noted that business owners need to participate in training, education and resource information to promote job retention within the community. “We need to educate our managers and they, in turn, will educate employees,” said Smith.
She explained that another important aspect of economic development is the quality of life. The city’s goal is to attract not just workers, but their families as well. Quality of life can be represented by many factors, including safety, education quality and opportunity, poverty reduction, cultural and recreational quality, and environmental quality.
Smith further stated that the city partners with public and private entities, as well as with various levels of government, in developing and promoting Holbrook’s potential. Some of the partnerships the city has formed include those with Navajo County, Navajo County Workforce Coalition, Real AZ Corridor, the Small Business Administration, Arizona Public Service Co., the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Foundation and the NPC Small Business Development Center.
She noted that Holbrook is working with marketing programs and partners, developing a website and making appointments with potential business relocatees, and has developed a marketing brochure. “I can’t sell anything I don’t love,” stated Smith, “and Holbrook’s an easy sell.”
People interested in taking part in the economic development committee are asked to call the city at 524-6225.
