Sonora – The Tuolumne County Economic Development Authority was honored recently by the state and federal development agencies for creating a model for rural economic development in California.

TCEDA Board Chair Hank Russell said a partnership was formed to create a model for economic development, under the leadership of Tuolumne CAO Craig Pedro and former Sonora City Manager Greg Applegate, with support from the Supervisors and the City Council.

“Unified with the same vision, the model of choice was a joint effort that established one entity under a Joint Powers Agreement,” Russell said. TCEDA is funded by both the County and the City, and current Sonora City Manager Timothy Miller has now joined the leadership team.

TCEDA is governed by its own board of seven members, including two Tuolumne Supervisors, Chairman John Gray and Vice Chairman Richard Pland; two City Council members are Mayor Bill Canning, and former Mayor Hank Russell; and three private sector members are attorney Jim Gianelli, broker Dennis Dahlin, and consultant Patricia Jones.

The first order of business for the new board was to select Executive Director Larry Cope, hired in March 2009 as Economic Development Director. Cope presented a 30-90-180-day plan to get the new agency up and running.

Russell said “Larry came in with a plan, and we told him to run with it.” Now “almost two years later, and with an extensive Work Plan as a guide,” Cope continues to accomplish the goals set for him by his Board.

Russell said Cope and staffer Beth Hartline were instrumental in forming the Business Alliance of Tuolumne County which provides free counseling and business classes, and a regional Central Sierra Economic Partnership, which includes Tuolumne, Calaveras, Amador and Mariposa counties.

TCEDA’s Strategic Work Plan 2009 was chosen to be highlighted in a new 100-page guide created by USDA Rural Development and the California Association of Local Economic Development. The publication, “Growing Thriving Rural Economic Development Corporations,” in part, said “Cope has created a five-year work plan that includes priorities for the first, third and fifth years. The priorities are categorized in the areas of business retention, expansion and attraction, infrastructure, administration and partnerships.”

“Each first year priority includes an action item, TCEDA role and measurable outcome. To encourage participation, (Cope) uses a retreat format to bring key stakeholders together for strategic work plan sessions. The planning session is used to create the action items and identify measurable outcomes…with accountability built into the corresponding actions. All priorities are subject to an annual review.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.