Members of the Pulaski County Community Development Commission recently updated a strategic plan that had been in the working stages for some time.
Executive Director Nathan Origer stated that economic development has changed significantly in its focus, and the Community Development Commission members set several goals that deal with quality of life and quality of place.
“Here we are with a plan that still does leave plenty of room for aspects of traditional economic development, especially workforce development, business retention, business expansion, and small business start-up, but with a much more substantial and fleshed-out focus on quality of life and quality of place.”
Origer noted some of the topics included in the new strategic plan, which deal with housing, broadband development, and community leadership development.
“Something 10 years ago I would have never imagined I would be talking about – childcare. In the last year or so, we’ve seen work from home issues, and virtual school issues, and changes in the workforce landscape – recognizing what a factor the lack of sufficient childcare can be toward economic development.”
A revival of Main Street groups and focus on tourism are also a part of the plan in the next few years.
He said the Community Development Commission will be working on the goals and keeping the strategic plan as a living document to check on progress, or to make changes to keep it relevant.
He commented that Pulaski County has a lot of potential and they will focus on what can be done to capitalize on the county’s assets.
