Swain County has taken the first step towards mapping out a coherent, long-term economic development strategy.

County commissioners unanimously adopted an Economic Development Strategic Plan for the county at their March 12 regular session. Commissioners discussed the plan with Jason Walls, Swain County economic development coordinator, Frieda Livingston, chair of the Swain County Economic Development Commission (EDC) and Jerry McKinney, EDC vice-chair, before adopting it.

According to Walls, the model for this plan was researched and “put under the knife” at the Economic Institute at the University of Virginia and determined to be a valid and applicable strategic plan. The six chapter document is broad in scope and inclusive in theory, Walls said.

The two key components of the plan are “sustainable development” and “assisted self-reliance.” According to the plan, sustainable development “... maintains a complete and mutual balance between human-created and natural capital,” and meets, “... the needs of today without compromising the needs of future generations.”

Assisted self-reliance “... supports the principle that a community explores all possible outside resources to help diversify and expand the local capacity that is not specific to individual results.” This allows the county to gather resources which, in turn, can be used to the greatest benefit of the county.

The plan’s mission statement is: “Develop Swain County as a sustainable place with full capacity to serve its citizens in an economically healthy way to protect the resources of the county. Create an environment that is safe and prosperous for the citizens of the community and does not jeopardize the goals of the future generations of Swain County.”

Because the plan is long term, much of the language is sweeping and general in nature, which allows for flexibility. There are specific strategies to help the EDC achieve its objectives:

Chapter 1 deals with economic sustainability, and calls for:

° Developing a comprehensive listing of existing business and industry in the county.

° Creating a package of incentives that would help in the recruitment and retention of both large industry and small businesses.

° Creating a package of incentives that would help recruit and retain micro-enterprise.

° Contracting for a targeted industrial recruitment report which would identify the types of industry that would be most beneficial to the county.

The second chapter focuses on workplace development, and includes such goals as:

° Building on existing programs through educational institutions to better provide training and skills development to industrial partners in Swain County.

° Supporting Advantage West in its effort to create a comprehensive labor market study for all of Western North Carolina.

The third chapter suggests setting up community forums to address current projects and listen to concerns of citizens and their needs from the EDC; and to develop a strong “main street” association.
Chapter four deals with strengthening local government’s role, including:

° Contracting for an economic analysis study that will explore current outside resources and their impact on the county. Some of the resources that would be included are payments in lieu of taxes, tourism, state grants, private grants and sales tax revenue.

° Working with the Small Business Administration to establish a small business association sponsored by local government as a way to diversify small business opportunity.

° Working with Western Carolina University and Southwestern Community College to create a sustainable leadership program in Swain County.

Chapter 5 deals specifically with the county’s EDC, encouraging members to:

° Revisit the by-laws and ordinances that created the EDC.

° Create committees such as an economic diversification committee, social programs committee and a public relations committee.

° Implement a three-year progression for graduation from Economic Development Institute.

The final chapter deals with marketing and financing, and offers several proposals:

° Use interns through WCU and SCC to create and maintain a directory of grant programs.

° Explore possibilities for marketing in metropolitan areas for industry and tourism.

° Support regional tourism efforts of Smoky Mountain Host and State Chamber of Commerce.

Jeff Fischbach of the North Carolina Division of Community Assistance called the economic development plan thorough and ambitious. He said that Walls and Swain County were moving in the right direction and praised the diversification of the plan.

The plan acknowledges the strong partnerships between the county, Bryson City, SCC, the Fontana Lake Users Association and others.

“It has been through partnerships that Swain County has been able to do all that has been done, and together even greater things will be done,” states the plan.

“We have a good product,” Walls said. “Now is the time to set priorities and get to work.”

 

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