To: Honorable Mayor and Members of Town Council
Through: David L. Corliss, Town Manager
From: Frank Gray, Castle Rock EDC and the Partnership of Douglas County Government
Economic Development Sub-Committee.
Title
Resolution Authorizing the Execution of a Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Formation of the Douglas County Economic Development Collaborative
Body
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Executive Summary
In support of the Town of Castle Rock’s Economic Development objectives to further the creation of primary jobs for Castle Rock’s residents and in the spirit of collaboration with the Board of Douglas County Commissioners and our Douglas County municipal partners, the Douglas County Economic Development Organizations (EDO’s) are proposing the creation of the Douglas County Economic Collaborative to support economic development by increasing primary employment opportunities in Douglas County through a proactive, strategic and coordinated marketing initiative. This would effectively take the current Douglas County Partnership of Governments: Economic Development Sub-Committee to the next level of economic development collaboration and leverage our collective expertise and assets. The attached Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) serves the purpose of creating this next level partnership by establishing the Douglas County Economic Development Collaborative.
Council Request
Approval of the MOU to establish the Collaborative.
Description
The Collaborative is a collection of municipalities, special districts, and economic development groups led by Douglas County to actively promote and market the positive attributes of the County and all its municipal partners. The objective of the Collaborative is to actively engage and educate regional and national site selectors, brokers, developers, and business leaders through a variety of media and events as to the business opportunities and environment in Douglas County.
The Collaborative Board will include one elected official from: Douglas County, Town of Castle Rock, City of Castle Pines, City of Lone Tree, Town of Larkspur, Town of Parker, and Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District. The Board will meet on a quarterly basis and will be chaired by a Douglas County Commissioner. The Board will provide programmatic guidance to an advisory committee, make recommendations to the Douglas County Board of County Commissioners regarding funding requests, and provide updates to the Partnership of Douglas County Governments.
The Collaborative Advisory Committee will be established to develop proposals and recommendations for the Board’s consideration regarding programmatic priorities, funding opportunities, and events. The advisory committee will include a staff member from: Douglas County, Douglas County School District, Town of Castle Rock Economic Development Council, City of Castle Pines, Town of Larkspur, City of Lone Tree, Town of Parker, Highlands Ranch Metropolitan District, Douglas County Libraries, Denver South, and Northwest Douglas County Chamber and Economic Development Corporation. When appropriate, the Advisory Committee will engage subject matter experts from entities like the Aurora-South Metro Small Business Development Center and Arapahoe Douglas Works!
The effective date of the MOU will begin on the date all parties sign and will last one calendar year. The agreement will renew automatically on December 31st of each year for additional one-year terms unless earlier terminated by the parties. The Collaborative partners plan to conduct a signing ceremony in late September with each of the members represented.
Background
The ED Forum was established in 2009 as a subcommittee of the Partnership of Douglas County Governments to identify common objectives and collaborate on economic development efforts, specifically the attraction and retention of primary jobs. Since its formation, the ED Forum has met on a regular basis and will serve as the basis for the Collaborative advisory committee discussed above.
The jurisdictions and entities that make up the ED Forum have collectively worked together to support business needs, share resources and information, and promote Douglas County. The work of this group for over the last 10 years supports the transition to a more robust entity like the Collaborative. The Collaborative MOU is a natural next step for staff and elected officials to continue to work together to support economic development across Douglas County.
Recommended Action
Based upon resolution of the condition below, the attached MOU to establish the Douglas County Economic Collaborative may be approved by the Board of County Commissioners as it complies with all County approval standards and policies.
• Prior to final execution of the MOU, Town staff may make minor technical changes as requested by MOU Parties in consultation with the Town Attorney and Town Manager.
Proposed Motion:
“I move to approve the resolution as introduced by title.”
Alternate Motions:
“I move to approve the resolution with the following conditions: (list conditions)”
“I move to continue this item to (date) to allow time for: (list information needed)”
Attachments
Resolution
Memorandum of Understanding