Economic committee formed

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 30,

The City of Vernon is hoping a team approach will broaden economic development in the community. An advisory committee is being formed to provide input for the city’s new economic development/tourism function, and the committee will include Community Futures, the Downtown Vernon Association and the Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce. “There’s a lot of experience there,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham of the three organizations. “Community Futures does a lot with economic development and job creation while the chamber and the DVA are good at knowing how to retain the businesses we have.” Currently, economic development and tourism are the responsibility of the Greater Vernon Advisory Committee but those duties will eventually shift over to the city.

The advisory committee has the endorsement of the DVA. “Given the potential impact of economic development and tourism marketing programs on the business community, the DVA believes there would be tremendous value in having the input of local business leaders brought into the initial planning process for these two city functions and that this involvement be continued as they become operational,” said Mary-Jo O’Keefe, president, in a letter to council. “Comprised of local business representatives, these advisory groups would be able to identify needs, pinpoint opportunities, refine goals and enable the individuals who eventually fill the new economic development and marketing positions to get off to a confident and well-founded start.”

Cunningham believes council’s economic development initiatives can only benefit from having businesses involved.“We are elected officials and council must make the final decisions, but it’s prudent to use the expertise we have in the community,” she said.