2015.05.20 Council Agenda Item 01

Summary

Discussion of the Economic Development Strategy Report as recommended by the Falmouth Economic Improvement Committee (FEIC)

A public comment period will not be included with this item.

ACTION: Council action is not anticipated

Description

Following the completion of the 2013 Comprehensive Plan, the Town Council charged the Falmouth Economic Improvement Committee (FEIC) in 2014 with preparing an economic development strategy to guide the community’s growth over the next 10 years.

The FEIC and its consultants Camoin Associates and Innovation Policyworks conducted data collection and analysis, reviewed existing documents, conducted stakeholder interviews, did market research, and held public forum discussions. All of this work culminated in the development of a specific vision for the future of economic development in Falmouth, four strategic goals for achieving this vision, twenty-three targeted strategies, and sixty-six actions for implementation.  Each action comes with a priority level, timeframe, relative cost, and performance metrics.

The plan has been designed so that, when it is fully implemented, it will increase economic activity, improve quality of life, and create a more diversified tax base for Falmouth.

Attached are the 26-page Economic Development Strategy Report and a 51-page Appendix with back-up material.