1. Analysis of local economic demographics, conditions, trends and opportunities. 2. Focus groups and interviews with key stakeholders and additional public outreach 3. Review and analyze current documents and incorporate them into the final Strategic Plan 4. Diverse community and partner engagement to understand the ideas and concerns of the community 5. Development of Economic Development goals and implementation strategies. 6. Complete a SWOT analysis of the City related to its Economic Development Prospects. 7. Prepare an Economic Development Strategic Plan for the City of Hickory for the next five years. This plan will set forth goals and objectives on existing economic opportunities and suggest potential solutions to the economic challenges our city faces. The final plan should include a mission and vision for economic development and will provide data and other information that allow the City to determine an overall direction of for the City’s Economic Development efforts. The final plan will include recommendations for the implementation of the goals and objectives stated in the plan. It should also include basic performance measures to evaluate and track progress towards achieving the goals and objectives stated in the plan. Specific topics to be covered by this plan may include but are not limited to: a. Impacts of Bond Projects/Future Trails b. Innovation District and Higher Education c. Business Retention and Expansion d. Small Business and Entrepreneurship Development e. Staffing/Workflow Analysis
