 
A Mayor's View of Economic Development
Thomas Flavin, Vice President & Senior Consultant
STELLAR Fundraising Executives, Inc.
Economic development in any community is a major public policy initiative with many competing and conflicting interests. As such a number of different groups will impact the overall community commitment and effectiveness of the economic development initiative. Understanding these stakeholder perspectives and their respective roles is important in building a strong community development program.
The most important player in the economic development landscape is the local government agency – the cities and/or counties in the focus area. These local land use authorities impact the success of economic development more than federal, state or regional entities because they are “in the trenches” determining whether and how economic development occurs. Local agencies are so critical because (1) the impacts associated with economic growth must be successfully “mitigated” at the local level; (2) with their day-to-day service delivery responsibilities and fiscal authority, local agencies impact the business climate more significantly than other levels of government; and, (3) the politics of “growth/no growth” plays out most intensely at the local level. While federal, state and regional entities each have their respective roles, economic development can be successful only if local stakeholders are fully committed to the effort.
There are many stakeholders in the local economic development picture: local elected officials and public agency staff; business leaders; community and neighborhood groups; local media; and, the general public. In order to build a successful economic development program, local elected officials must make it a clear public policy priority for the community and agency staff needs to be accountable for developing and implementing strategies and tactics to ensure that the policy objective is met. The local business community must take an “ownership” role in the future of their community and support the effort with both financial and human capital. Community and neighborhood groups must engage in a constructive and open-minded effort to find meaningful compromise to make these economic growth aspirations a reality. Finally, the local media needs to provide a thoughtful and balanced assessment of the community development initiative and avoid the temptation to focus only on the natural “conflicts” associated with these efforts. If these key stakeholders take this approach, the result is the general public is better informed and ultimately more supportive of the economic development initiative.
The core objectives of successful economic development programs are increasing jobs and tax base to sustain and enhance the quality of life for all who live and work in a community. Having an “under-performing” economic development program directly impacts the ability of a community to generate the resources it needs to provide essential services and quality of life amenities that all community stakeholders want.
In the end, communities without competitive economic development programs become “have-nots” and the downward economic cycle accelerates and becomes increasingly difficult to “turn around.” In some cases, this declining trend becomes a “decades-long” scenario carrying with it an overpowering lack of hope for the future.
STELLAR Fundraising Executives, Inc. and its staff of experienced economic development professionals can assist your community pull together all of the local and regional stakeholders to build a comprehensive and successful economic development effort. Engaging representatives of key local stakeholder groups – local elected officials, business leaders, community groups, and local media – are a key part of the STELLAR feasibility and campaign process. Building a consensus at the local and regional levels is the foundation of the STELLAR fundraising approach.
Thomas Flavin is former Mayor and City Councilman in Burbank, California recognized by the America Planning Association (APA) for his leadership its economic revitalization in the 1990s following the departure of Lockheed Corporation. He has also directed regional economic development organizations in Los Angeles and Denver and is currently Vice-President and Senior Consultant for STELLAR Fundraising Executives, Inc.
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