On Friday, 20 community leaders met for the first time to discuss the greater Ogden-area economy. The agenda was to consider the current business environment, the selection of significant goals to be achieved over the next five years and projects in progress.
Executives represented Weber State University, Ogden-Weber Applied Technology College, developers, bankers and angel investors. Others involved were local business owners and city and county elected officials.
The group met for an hour and a half with two facilitators, who asked the group to answer the following questions:
* What economic accomplishments, five years from now, would make you proud?
Some of the answers were: 3,000 new jobs, higher wages, greater safety, less crime, 90 percent high school graduation rate, all local companies qualifying for bank loans, college graduates who are employment ready, improved air quality and cooperation among all community civic organizations.
In addition to being known as an outdoor recreational hub, Ogden would also be recognized as a high-tech and aerospace center and be known as the place to start a technology business.
* What business capabilities and resources does the community possess that can impact the local economy?
Categories are talent, idea generation, support services and financial funding. The group scored each resource. On average, across the four categories, the grade was a B-. In future meetings, the gaps will be addressed and filled with the needed resources.
* What significant initiatives should be implemented to attract firms to Ogden, create new businesses and grow existing businesses?
As we thought about this set of questions, a spokesman from the city raised his hand. "Folks," he said. "I have painstakingly written a 500-page strategic economic development plan that addresses each of these points. Did you receive it?"
We looked around the room at each other. Except for one person, nearly everyone responded with a definitive no. With frustration in his voice, he agreed to email the document for our review.
There was another disturbing statement from a few community participants.
Over the past several years, they said, there has been very poor communication and cooperation among city and county governments, among government and businesses and among government, businesses and educational institutions.
This information came toward the end of the meeting, once participants were more at ease and trusting. Although troubling, such frankness evoked a desire by everyone to remedy the problem sooner rather than later.
A spirit of cooperation and better communication filled the room. I overheard participants proclaiming, "It's time for a new era of openness and partnership."
I should note that, without such a significant change, where all parties align in a common cause, the hope of economic prosperity is greatly diminished.
I wondered what might happen at the first meeting of these high-powered leaders. To my delight, there was candor, excitement, high interest and a sincere desire to work together.
I'm grateful that these terrific people are willing to volunteer their time and share their exceptional talents with one another. I anticipate that a great plan will be developed, one that can be executed with excellence.
We decided to invite additional committee members from Hill Air Force Base, Ogden Chamber of Commerce, Ogden School District, Ogden Economic Development Corporation, Weber Economic Development Corporation, and a representative from a Latino and African American business.
The committee will meet again in two weeks to continue the process of discovery and the development of a terrific economic development plan. Stay tuned for future updates.
Please share your thoughts about this project at alan@doobizz.com.
Alan Hall is founder and chairman of Grow Utah, a not-for-profit entity with a mission of stimulating economic development through entrepreneurship.
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