2019-2024 Economic Development Strategic Plan

PHASE 3 The primary purpose of Phase 3 was to conduct a facilitated work session with the Grow Spencer Commission. This segment of the report covers that, as well as discussion of the Draft Working Vision & Mission. GROW SPENCER COMMISSION FACILITATED WORK SESSIONS Two facilitated work sessions were held with the Grow Spencer Commission on October 8 th and 9 th to present the findings of the economic development assessment (day 1) and initiate development of the vision, mission, goals and objectives for the economic development work plan (day 2). Minutes from the meeting are on file with the City. CREATING A VISION & MISSION A vision is the description of “what” you want to become, and the mission is the “how” you’ll make it happen. Except for a vision and mission that had been written for purposes of a grant, no current formal vision or mission exists for Spencer. Spencer’s vision and mission were discussed at the August 14 th Grow Spencer Commission and Consultant was directed to create “working” draft vision and mission statements for the Commission’s consideration. The Commission made selections during the August 30 th conference call and these were used in the Community Assessment.

VISION :

A vibrant, thriving center of the region’s growth

MISSION :

As a direct result of the community’s leadership and investment in infrastructure, quality of life and preservation of its history, Spencer enriches the lives of its citizens while attracting new business investments, high-quality jobs and a growing population.

In general, the open-ended responses to the vision and mission were favorable. However, three concerns (two in the form of questions) appeared in enough frequency to warrant further discussion. These concerns can be categorized as:

1. Is the vision and mission necessary? 2. The vision and mission are nice, but is it realistic? 3. It’s long and doesn’t have a “WOW” factor

Grow Spencer Commission Meeting #3 The third meeting of the Grow Spencer Commission on November 5 th focused on revisiting the Vision and Mission statements post community assessment, reviewing goals identified in the assessment, and establishing specific goals for Spencer’s economic development plan.

After discussion, the Commission decided to amend the vison and mission as follows:

VISION :

A vibrant, thriving center of the region’s growth

MISSION :

As a direct result of the community’s leadership and investment in infrastructure, quality of life and preservation of its history, Spencer enriches the quality of life lives of its citizens while attracting new business investments, high-quality jobs and a growing population.

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