Elevate Douglas Economic Partnership Welcomes New Partners to Join our Efforts in Pursuit of Economic Sustainability
As a member of Elevate Douglas Economic Partnership, you will be engaged in advising our organization as it pursues its strategic plan. Our main focus in this strategy is marketing the assets of the community internally and externally; investing with intention in way-finding, the arts, business parks, and infrastructure; cultivating a talent pipeline that serves our target sectors; and building business success through recruitment of target sectors, implementing a robust business and retention program, and growing entrepreneurs and small businesses.
Talent is the most critical consideration in today's site selection process.
Communities across the country and including ours are working diligently to solve our talent shortage problem.
An annual survey of economic development professionals revealed a near-unanimous response that availability of skilled labor has become more important in the site selection process and a greater focus of their activities. Douglas County has experienced an influx of educated talent over the past two decades, which is a competitive advantage. Despite this influx, a majority of residents do not work in Douglas County.
Through workforce development, we are developing strong collaborations among education and local business, expanding educational programming and generating awareness of job opportunities.