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HomeMy WebLinkAbout23 April ICG Intent Mapping TrackerICG Intent Mapping Workshop Conversation Tracker for April 23rd ICG Workshop Context The North Olympic Development Council (NODC) facilitated a workshop at the April 23rd, 2026, meeting of the Intergovernmental Collaboration Group (IGC). The IGC consists of the boards and commissions of Jefferson County, WA; the City of Port Townsend; the Port of Port Townsend; and the Jefferson Public Utilities District. This tracker shares the high-level outputs of the workshop activities. Context The workshop focused on sketching an Intent Map for the ICG’s work together. The focusing question was, “How can the ICG member governments work together to create an economy that works for all current and future residents of Jefferson County?”Participants co- created descriptions of the current and desired future states of their shared economic development work. They then brainstormed “How might we…” questions as a first step in planning how to move from the present to the desired future. ICG Workshop Participants •Carol Hasse •David Ballif •Eron Berg •Fred Obee •Greg Brotherton •Heather Dudley-Nollette •Heidi Eisenhour •Jeff Randall •Jeremy Williamee •John Mauro •Kenneth Collins •Libby Wennstrom •Monica MickHager •Owen Rowe •Pam Petranek Format of Workshop The workshop consisted of three primary tasks: •Task 1: Co-create a description of the current state •Task 2: Co-create a description of the desired future state •Task 3: Generate “How might we…” questions Participants worked in pairs or trios for each task and moved between stations representing major themes that emerged in the February 19th workshop. Theme: Template •Multiple “How might we” questions will be a representative selection from those offered during the workshop •As you read, think about which HMW questions feel like ICG work and which may be important work, but for someone else How might we Current State: For most themes, the description of the current state will be a single-sentence summary of the statements offered during the workshop. These are DRAFTS to be refined by the ICG. Desired Future State: Like the description of the current state, this will be a summary of what emerged during the workshop. These are also DRAFTS to be refined by the ICG as needed. Theme: ICG Shared Vision How might we Current State: We each have separate plans and vision for economic development, but we have the will and a fledgling structure to create a joint vision and plan. Desired Future State: After creating a joint economic development strategy in 2026, in 2045, we have implemented our strategy to create a vibrant, sustainable economy based on our natural and cultural assets and are planning the next 20 years together. •HMW work through our EDC? •HMW reduce legislative boundaries? •HMW [prioritize ICG work] through more frequent meetings and a budget to have a staff person? •HMW encourage and include all voices? •HMW make all decision with a lens of climate adaptation and mitigation? Theme: Business Development and Support How might we Current State: We have strong industries rooted in natural resources and the marine trades, but local businesses face challenges ranging from local regulation to global economic forces without a unified strategy to support them. Desired Future State: Thriving businesses are supported from inception to succession by shared strategies, infrastructure, and policies. •HMW welcome more voices to the table, including businesses? •HMW lean into our sector strengths? •HMW engage businesses in this conversation? •HMW create conditions for business incubation and growth? •HMW minimize permitting and fees for start-ups? Theme: What’s Working Well How might we Current State: We are a community of creative and engaged people living in a place of natural beauty and abundance. Desired Future State: We have built on the good things already here to make a good life sustainable and accessible to all residents. •HMW get economic development onto this working well list? •HMW make sure these good things continue for the next generation? •HMW capitalize on what is going well? •HMW focus on where we agree, not where we diverge? Theme: Workforce How might we Current State: We have too few jobs with ‘family wages’ to attract and retain a prepared workforce who can afford to live here. Desired Future State: We collaborate with schools and employers to train a secure home-grown workforce and attract outside talent to create a vibrant workforce in good jobs. •HMW engage youth in finding or creating meaningful work? •HMW encourage apprentice/on-the-job-training opportunities? •HMW start workforce training/options in kindergarten and public schools, including CTE programs? •HMW address behavioral and mental health needs that can be barriers to employment and affordability? Theme: Climate Change and Environment How might we Current State: We are a rural community with brilliant and accomplished residents threatened by climate impacts on our natural environment and resources. Desired Future State: We are a resilient and caring, energy-independent community with dispersed micro-grids; protected and protective coastlines; and smart growth that clusters density and jobs. •HMW fund new clean energy development? •HMW incentivize drought-tolerant landscaping and infrastructure? •HMW plan for reduced water in the future? •HMW move low-lying properties or abandon them? Theme: Permits and Zoning How might we Current State: Unpredictable timeline and cost of permitting has led to a perception that it’s ‘hard to build’ in Jefferson County, restricting economic progress. Desired Future State: Landowners and business start-ups know what to expect in a simple, streamlined permitting process aligned across city, county, and state. •HMW pre-approve simple plans? •HMW work across jurisdictions to align policies and permitting? •HMW make the GMA work better for us? •HMW better support owner-builders creating housing? Theme: Infrastructure How might we Current State: Our infrastructure is aging; doesn’t connect key parts of the county; isn’t resilient in the face of climate impacts; and is expensive to upgrade/expand. Desired Future State: We have well-maintained infrastructure adequate for future business and residential needs, with plans to maintain and expand as needed. •HMW encourage energy independence through new infrastructure and reduced usage/demand? •HMW prepare ourselves and our infrastructure for sea level rise and other climate impacts? •HMW decrease costs to build and maintain/repair infrastructure? •HMW include infrastructure planning in comp plans and practice? Theme: Housing How might we Current State: We don’t have an adequate or income-matched housing supply and some areas lack infrastructure needed for housing expansion. Desired Future State: We have a healthy housing continuum for the full diversity of Jefferson County residents’ financial, cultural, and demographic needs. •HMW streamline the permitting process? •HMW embrace contractor efficiencies and alternatives? •HMW incentivize multi-generational living or similar alternatives? •HMW embrace contractor efficiencies and alternatives? •HMW encourage simple structures, humble living? Theme: Food and Agriculture How might we Current State: Our local farms and farmers need additional support to produce enough of our food supply for a resilient food system in the face of climate change. Desired Future State: The local food system is resilient and thriving, with support for farmland preservation, succession planning, and farmworker housing. •HMW reduce barriers to local agriculture? •HMW preserve ag jobs and land? •HMW adapt to a changing climate and strengthen food resilience? •HMW strengthen community financial support for local ag? •HMW leverage agriculture to support broader opportunities? Theme: Funding How might we Current State: We have critical infrastructure and service needs with an inadequate tax base and a changing landscape of federal funding and grants. Desired Future State: We work with state and federal partners as a team to secure funding that supports economic development and for-profit businesses to create a stable and adequate tax base without over-burdening residents with taxes. •HMW encourage energy independence through new infrastructure and reduced usage/demand? •HMW prepare ourselves and our infrastructure for sea level rise and other climate impacts? •HMW decrease costs to build and maintain/repair infrastructure? •HMW include infrastructure planning in comp plans and practice? Next Steps: Homework (Everyone’s Favorite Thing!) At our first workshop, you brainstormed a lot of ideas across many topics. At the second, you narrowed down the topics to ten through your intent mapping exercises. For your homework, we’ve created a five-question survey that will: •Narrow down the topics further,including identifying which are in the ICG’s influence •Start generating ideas about how the ICG can work on the top issues Taking time to do this survey now will keep moving the ICG’s work forward before the next meeting (Thursday, June 18th). Please take a few minutes to take the survey! Thank you!