Editor’s Note: “The Economic Development Side” originally appears in the Pine Bluff Regional Chamber of Commerce’s weekly member e-newsletter. It is written by Rhonda Dishner, the Economic Development Alliance’s executive assistant.
As with many career fields, there is an established curriculum and some standard operating methods for individuals who want to become professional economic developers.
In addition to skills that might be learned at college or on-the-job, there are national and state courses and seminars designed to convey the basic — and more advanced — information needed to be knowledgeable about how economic development is “done” in a constantly shifting economic environment.
Members of the Economic Development Alliance’s economic development team make it a point to build on their decades of experience by attending select classes and meetings that keep them abreast of the latest trends in the profession. That includes regional, nation-wide and international trends because competition for projects can be, and is, world-wide in scope.
For economic developers to be community “sales” people, they must have an understanding of sites and zoning, available buildings, industrial financing and incentives, utilities, transportation, workforce, construction methods and costs, local and state government, and taxation, among other things. They must have expertise in marketing, business development, long-rang planning, redevelopment, and entrepreneurship. The list really could go on and on.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
Along with this training and knowledge of industry standards, each economic developer also has a personal style and approach to doing the job.
It’s been noted in previous columns that, to be successful, economic development locally must be a collaborative effort that includes the officials, educators, business leaders, members of the community, etc. It’s also been mentioned that several grass-roots initiatives in Pine Bluff currently are building support for implementation of community betterment plans.
Another new forum joined the ranks here last Thursday when the city’s new mayor hosted her first Mayor’s Unity Breakfast at the Pine Bluff Convention Center. Over 500 folks bought $10 breakfast tickets and gathered to learn about “getting involved with activities to build a better Pine Bluff.” It was announced that proceeds from the event would be used to support seven priority areas, including economic development.
The Alliance’s president, Lou Ann Nisbett, and its director of economic development, Caleb McMahon, attended the breakfast, too, and appreciated the positive atmosphere of a community coming together. Afterwards they reported having experienced a few elements not typically found in economic development course work. That would be singing and preaching.
There was also some praying at the breakfast meeting. But that was not an uncommon economic development activity for Nisbett. She uses that advantage every day.