Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout051115_ca08Consent Agenda Commissioners Office JEFFERSON COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST TO: Board of County Commissioners i FROM: Philip Morley, County Administratgr DATE: May 11, 2015 SUBJECT: Authorization to Designate the Economic Development Council (EDC) Team Jefferson as the Associate Development Organization (ADO) for Jefferson County; Washington State Department of Commerce STATEMENT OF ISSUE: The Board of County Commissioners is requested to authorize re- designation of EDC Team Jefferson as the Associate Development Organization (ADO) for Jefferson County. The designation of the ADO is pursuant to state law for the upcoming state biennium and would be submitted to the Washington State Department of Commerce. ANALYSIS: The Washington State Department of Commerce requests that Jefferson County designate an Associate Development Organization (ADO) by June 15, 2015. Designation of the county's ADO is necessary every two years for the new state biennium. EDC Team Jefferson and its prior iteration under Jefferson County Extension as Team Jefferson, has been designated as ADO every two years since 2007 and has ably performed the ADO responsibilities during that time. EDC Team Jefferson is registered in Washington State under the name "Economic Development Council of Jefferson County," and is registered as a 501(c)6 with the United States IRS. EDC Team Jefferson's work as the Associate Development Organization is defined by RCW 43.330.080, by its Strategic Plan, and by contracts with the Port of Port Townsend and the County. EDC Team Jefferson briefed the County Commissioners of the organization's activities, strategic plan and priorities on April 20, 2015. FINANCIAL ANALYSIS: To perform its core ADO duties, EDC Team Jefferson presently receives $25,000 per year of support from Jefferson County, appropriated in the county's 2015 adopted budget. It also receives support from the Port of Port Townsend. A grant from the Washington Department of Commerce is anticipated to be about $30,000- $42,500 for each year of the state biennium, depending on what budget is adopted by the State Legislature in its upcoming Special Session. Consent Agenda Commissioners Office EDC Team Jefferson has requested that the County consider increasing its annual support up to $50,000 per year, and to make a multi -year funding commitment to the organization through an updated County contract with EDC Team Jefferson. Staff is presently evaluating funding options within County resources and other service and program needs, and will develop a recommendation for future consideration by the BOCC. In the meantime, the County can re- designate EDC Team Jefferson as Jefferson County's ADO now, without any financial impact to the County. RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the Board of County Commissioners pass a motion authorizing the BoCC Chair to sign the form designating EDC Team Jefferson (Economic Development Council of Jefferson County) as the Associate Development Organization (ADO) for Jefferson County, and submit the designation to the Washington State Department of Commerce. REVIEWED BY: s1��5 P i orley, o ty Administ Date STATE OF WASHINGTON DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE 1011 Plum Street SE • PO Box 42525 • Olympia, Washington 98504 -2525 • (360) 725 -4000 www commerce. wa.gov May 1, 2015 The Honorable David Sullivan, Chair aY Jefferson County Board of Commissioners P. O. Box 1220 Port Townsend, WA 98368 Dear Chairman Sullivan: Every two years, the Department of Commerce begins the process of contracting with Associate Development Organizations (ADOs) by sending a letter to the Board of County Commissioners or County Executive in each county requesting designation of an ADO. Commerce is directed by RCW 43.330.080 to contract with county- designated ADOs to increase the support for and coordination of community and economic development services in communities or regional areas. As part of the contracting process, please complete the enclosed ADO Certification /Designation Form for the 2015 -17 Biennium, returning to Commerce by June 15, 2015. Your county can choose to re- designate the current ADO or make a new designation. Please see the enclosed Eligibility and Designation Guidelines. Thank you for your consideration in helping to move the contracting process forward in a quick manner. I look forward to working with our ADO partners during the next biennium. Sincerely, Brian Bonlender Director Enclosures cc w /enclosures: Economic Development Council Team Jefferson 0 Associate Development Organization Certification /Designation Form (For use by County officials.) affirms/ designates the (Name of County) (Name of ADO) as the Associate Development Organization to coordinate economic development services for the county under contract with the Washington State Department of Commerce. Consistent with statutory requirements: The prospective ADO is a non - profit organization. m A public entity that has formed an authority or committee with full operating authority to carry out the duties of the ADO. It is important to recognize that this group would have its own authority and budget, not just the power to recommend actions /plans /expenses. 2 Economic development is the primary mission of the prospective ADO, and not just a secondary activity. This can be demonstrated with a written mission statement in a brochure, web - page, newsletter, etc. It may also be documented in the organization's by -laws. 3. For economic interests in the county, this organization serves as a networking tool and resource hub for business retention, expansion, and relocation in Washington. 4. This organization has /will have the capacity during the period under contract with Commerce to carryout work activities as detailed in RCW 43.330.080 This designation is effective on the date signed below, and shall remain in effect for the 2015 -2017 biennium. Signature ritle PLEASE SUBMIT TO: Kathy Carlson, Contracts Coordinator Business Services Division Washington State Department of Commerce Post Office Box 42525 Olympia, WA 98504 -2525 Print Name Date Associate Development Organizations Eligibility & Designation Guidelines as u Overview Washington's Department of Commerce (Commerce) maintains a contracted partnership with 34 Associate Development Organizations (ADOs), serving 39 counties, through both technical assistance and funding for local economic development activities. Each county in the state has designated an organization as their ADO to partner with Commerce and serve as the lead on local economic development activities in their county. This guide is provided to assist county leaders in the process of designating the most effective organization to serve as the ADO for their county. The criteria that Commerce uses to approve and negotiate a contract with a county- designated ADO is also covered. The origins of ADOs date back to Governor Booth Gardner's Team Washington strategy that was initiated in 1985 to develop a public- private, state -local partnerships across the state. At first the Local Economic Development Assistance Program (LEDA) provided administrative grants to 33 ADOs that served the state's 39 counties. ADOs were to become the principal contact for the department and all county economic development elements (chambers, towns, ports, businesses, etc.) would coordinate their efforts through their local ADO. Expectations of ADOs The broad role of an Associate Development Organization is that of advocacy and leadership, serving as the point of contact for local economic activities, recruiting /hosting new businesses, and coordinating business retention and expansion efforts within its service area. The ADO serves as the principal contact for Commerce regarding economic activity in their area. ADOs help Commerce gather data about community profiles, industrial sites, plans for business development and retention, reports on business activities, and proposals for other economic activities in their service areas. ADOs are described in more detail in RCW 43.330.080, and a copy of that code is provided in the reference section of this guide. Specific expectations of the ADO, as assessed by Commerce for contracting purposes include: Partner with Commerce: The designated ADO organizations shall partner with Commerce as the lead local economic development organization in their service area to deliver economic development services at the local level. Through a contracted partnership, Commerce determines the scope of services delivered under the ADO grant/contract in collaboration with the ADO. The ADO works closely with Commerce to develop and carry out strategies and show potential for long -term sustainable growth. 2. Contracting Organizations (ADOs) in each Community or Regional Area Must Be "broadly representative of community and economic interests... capable of identifying key problems... and mobilizing broad support for recommended initiatives." The code lists key players as: • local governments • chambers of commerce • workforce development councils • port districts • labor groups • institutions of higher education • community action programs • other appropriate private, public, or nonprofit community and economic development groups. Best Practice Sharing: ADOs must meet and share best practices with other ADOs at least two times a year. Resources and Services Provided to Local Businesses: ADOs shall provide direct assistance, including business planning, to companies throughout the county who need support to stay in business, expand, or relocate to Washington from out of state or other countries. Assistance must comply with business recruitment and retention protocols established in RCW 43.330.062. 4. Regional Planning: Support for regional economic research and regional planning efforts to implement target industry sector strategies and other economic development strategies including cluster -based strategies. 5. Reports to Commerce: ADOs report quarterly on activity outcomes; i.e., Business Retention and Expansion assistance; Business Recruitment, Entrepreneurial Business Start-ups, etc. They also provide information on how they coordinate and collaborate with other organizations and jurisdictions in their counties, as well as other significant accomplishments. Timelines for reporting are in each grant/contract. Formal designation by County: The County's Board of Commissioners must formally designate an organization to serve as its ADO, providing Commerce with a signed statement of designation along with a certification of eligibility. References RCW 43.330.080 Coordination of community and economic development services — Contracts with county - designated associate development organizations — Scope of services — Business services training. (1)(a) The department must contract with county- designated associate development organizations to increase the support for and coordination of community and economic development services in communities or regional areas. The contracting organizations in each community or regional area must: (i) Be broadly representative of community and economic interests; (ii) Be capable of identifying key economic and community development problems, developing appropriate solutions, and mobilizing broad support for recommended initiatives; (iii) Work closely with the department to carry out state - identified economic development priorities; (iv) Work with and include local governments, local chambers of commerce, workforce development councils, port districts, labor groups, institutions of higher education, community action programs, and other appropriate private, public, or nonprofit community and economic development groups; and (v) Meet and share best practices with other associate development organizations at least two times each year. (b) The scope of services delivered under the contracts required in (a) of this subsection must include two broad areas of work: (i) Direct assistance, including business planning, to companies throughout the county who need support to stay in business, expand, or relocate to Washington from out of state or other countries. Assistance must comply with business recruitment and retention protocols established in RCW 43.330.062, and includes: (A) Working with the appropriate partners throughout the county including, but not limited to, local governments, workforce development councils, port districts, community and technical colleges and higher education institutions, export assistance providers, impact Washington, the Washington state quality award council, small business assistance programs, innovation partnership zones, and other federal, state, and local programs to facilitate the alignment of planning efforts and the seamless delivery of business support services within the entire county; (B) Providing information on state and local permitting processes, tax issues, export assistance, and other essential information for operating, expanding, or locating a business in Washington; (C) Marketing Washington and local areas as excellent locations to expand or relocate a business and positioning Washington as a globally competitive place to grow business, which may include developing and executing regional plans to attract companies from out of state, (D) Working with businesses on site location and selection assistance; (E) Providing business retention and expansion services throughout the county. Such services must include, but are not limited to, business outreach and monitoring efforts to identify and address challenges and opportunities faced by businesses, assistance to trade impacted businesses in applying for grants from the federal trade adjustment assistance for firms program, and the provision of information to businesses on: (1) Resources available for microenterprise development; (II) Resources available on the revitalization of commercial districts; and (III) The opportunity to maintain jobs through shared work programs authorized under chapter 50_60 RCW; (F) Participating in economic development system -wide discussions regarding gaps in business start-up assistance in Washington; - (G) Providing or facilitating the provision of export assistance through workshops or one -on -one assistance; and (H) Using a web -based information system to track data on business recruitment, retention, expansion, and trade; and (ii) Support for regional economic research and regional planning efforts to implement target industry sector strategies and other economic development strategies, including cluster -based strategies. Research and planning efforts should support increased living standards and increased foreign direct investment, and be aligned with the statewide economic development strategy. Regional associate development organizations retain their independence to address local concerns and goals. Activities include: (A) Participating in regional planning efforts with workforce development councils involving coordinated strategies around workforce development and economic development policies and programs. Coordinated planning efforts must include, but not be limited to, assistance to industry clusters in the region; (B) Participating with the state board for community and technical colleges as created in RCW 28B.50.050, and any community and technical colleges in the coordination of the job skills training program and the customized training program within its region; (C) Collecting and reporting data as specified by the contract with the department for statewide systemic analysis. In cooperation with other local, regional, and state planning efforts, contracting organizations may provide insight into the needs of target industry clusters, business expansion plans, early detection of potential relocations or layoffs, training needs, and other appropriate economic information; (D) In conjunction with other governmental jurisdictions and institutions, participating in the development of a countywide economic development plan. (2) The department must provide business services training to the contracting organizations, including but not limited to (a) Training in the fundamentals of export assistance and the services available from private and public export assistance providers in the state; and (b) Training in the provision of business retention and expansion services as required by subsection (1)(1b)(1)(E) of this section. [2014 c 112§ 111; 2012 c 195 §1; 2011 c286§ 2; 2009 c151 §10; 2007 c 249 §2; 1997 c 60 §1; 1993 c280 §11.] Notes: Findings -- Intent — 2007 c 249: 'The legislature finds that economic development success requires coordinated state and local efforts. The legislature further finds that economic development happens at the local level. County - designated associate development organizations serve as a networking tool and resource hub for business retention, expansion, and relocation in Washington. Economic development success requires an adequately funded and coordinated state effort and an adequately funded and coordinated local effort. The legislature intends to bolster the partnership between state and local economic development efforts, provide increased funding for local economic development services, and increase local economic development service effectiveness, efficiency, and outcomes." [2007 c 249 § 1.] RCW 43.330.082 Contracting associate development organizations — Performance measures and summary of best practices — Remediation plans — Reports — Information for the comprehensive statewide economic development strategy and progress report. 1)(a) Contracting associate development organizations must provide the department with measures of their performance and a summary of best practices shared and implemented by the contracting organizations. Annual reports must include the following information to show the contracting organization's impact on employment and overall changes in employment: Current employment and economic information for the community or regional area produced by the employment security department; the net change from the previous year's employment and economic information using data produced by the employment security department; other relevant information on the community or regional area; the amount of funds received by the contracting organization through its contract with the department; the amount of funds received by the contracting organization through all sources; and the contracting organization's impact on employment through all funding sources. Annual reports may include the impact of the contracting organization on wages, exports, tax revenue, small business creation, foreign direct investment, business relocations, expansions, terminations, and capital investment. Data must be input into a common web -based business information system managed by the department. Specific measures, data standards, and data definitions must be developed in the contracting process between the department and the contracting organization every two years. Except as provided in (b) of this subsection, performance measures should be consistent across regions to allow for statewide evaluation. (b) In addition to the measures required in (a) of this subsection, contracting associate development organizations in counties with a population greater than one million five hundred thousand persons must include the following measures in reports to the department: (i) The number of small businesses that received retention and expansion services, and the outcome of those services; (ii) The number of businesses located outside of the boundaries of the largest city within the contracting associate development organization's region that received recruitment, retention, and expansion services, and the outcome of those services. (2)(a) The department and contracting associate development organizations must agree upon specific target levels for the performance measures in subsection (1) of this section. Comparison of agreed thresholds and actual performance must occur annually. (b) Contracting organizations that fail to achieve the agreed performance targets in more than one -half of the agreed measures must develop remediation plans to address performance gaps. The remediation plans must include revised performance thresholds specifically chosen to provide evidence of progress in making the identified service changes. (c) Contracts and state funding must be terminated for one year for organizations that fail to achieve the agreed upon progress toward improved performance defined under (b) of this subsection. During the year in which termination for nonperformance is in effect, organizations must review alternative delivery strategies to include reorganization of the contracting organization, merging of previous efforts with existing regional partners, and other specific steps toward improved performance. At the end of the period of termination, the department may contract with the associate development organization or its successor as it deems appropriate. (3) The department must submit a final report to the legislature by December 31st of each even- numbered year on the performance results of the contracts with associate development organizations. [2014 c 112 §112; 2012 c 195 §2; 2D11 c286 §3; 2009 c518 §15; 2007 c 249 §3.1 Notes: Findings -- Intent — 2007 c 249: See note following RCW 43.330.080.