On June 24th, 2010 SEAGO created and e-mailed to its membership, a survey to determine how our Economic Development (ED) program has assisted its member entities in the past, or if it has failed to provide useful information. The survey was sent to a total of forty-five individuals; twenty-one Administrative Council members (or alternates) and twenty-four members of the Executive Board. Of the forty-five individuals receiving the survey, sixteen completed most questions, resulting in and overall response rate of 35.6%. Below is a summary of the responses to each of the questions in SEAGO ED survey:
Question 1
The SEAGO region consists of Graham, Greenlee, Cochise, and Santa Cruz Counties, all incorporated municipalities within those counties, and a portion of the San Carlos Apache Reservation. Please rate the following statement: “The SEAGO region could benefit from a regionally focused, coordinated Economic Development Program that would address REGIONAL economic issues.”
Response:
Of the sixteen individuals responding –
Nine of them, or 56.3% ‘Strongly Agreed’ with the statement.
Seven of them, or 43.7% ‘Agreed’ with the statement.
None of them ‘Disagreed’ with the statement.
Other Comments: None.
Analysis:
Based on this response, SEAGO believes that there may be strong support from our membership for strengthening/reorganizing our ED program and possibly making it the core function of our planning efforts.
Question 2
Please rate the following statement: “I have experience with the SEAGO Economic Development Program and understand the purpose and efforts of the ED Program.”
Response:
Of the sixteen individuals responding –
Four of them, or 25% ‘Agreed’ with the statement.
Nine of them, or 56.3% ‘Disagreed’ with the statement.
Three of them, or 18.7% ‘Didn’t know SEAGO had an ED Program.’
Other Comments:
a) “I was involved in initial discussions about the program but did not see a final plan.”
b) “Very little however, attended 2 or 3 meetings in the past year and was becoming informed of possible benefits and programs, I will really be interested and involved in a concentrated effort by SEAGO in an organized ED Program.”
Analysis:
SEAGO’s ED program has failed to effectively engage its membership and has done a poor job communicating the purpose of the program, our efforts to secure funding for projects, and potential benefits its membership could derive from the program.
Question 3
In my opinion, the greatest obstacle to regional economic development efforts in the Southeastern Arizona region is:
Response:
Fourteen individuals, or 88% of the participants completed the question. Their answers appear below:
a) “No coordinated effort. Over the last year, I have been asked to participate in three different regional plans, all of which seemed to duplicate effort.”
b) “Lack of an agreement by regional governments on the importance of regional development along with no real connection with Mexican govt/business leaders.”
c) “Lack of a strategic plan to coordinate efforts on a regional basis.”
d) “Coming up with the right ideas to assist in the economic turmoil that we are currently in.”
e) “Lack of focus on what economic development should be.”
f) “A total lack of communication with either of the two member entities I have worked for.”
g) “Bringing the communities together and working toward a common goal.”
h) “Diversity of needs.”
i) “Coordinated communication between entities. No one takes the lead to have meetings, get information, share information, etc. An effort started for awhile with Cochise County, but faltered. It’s not up to the cities and towns to do this, it is up to the regional agencies/government. And that’s not happening.”
j) “Diversity of the economies in each of the Counties.”
k) “Personnel.”
l) “Rural transportation system. Fear of industry using water.”
m) “Laziness.”
n) “The diverse interests and lack of coordination/shared vision between the region’s ED professionals.”
Analysis:
SEAGO’s ED program should take the lead in coordinating economic development efforts and facilitating discussions to strategically focus the diverse interests on common goals for the region.
Question 4
In my opinion, the greatest opportunity for regional economic development in the Southeastern Arizona Region is:
Response:
Fifteen individuals, or 94% of the participants, completed the question. Their answers appear below:
a) “Tourism.”
b) “Tourism? Mining? Retail? Manufacturing? Ranching/Agriculture? I don’t know.”
c) “Tourism and import export.”
d) “Don’t know.”
e) “Getting the big companies to look at the small rural communities as a way to stimulate the local economy.”
f) “Solar industry and other green technologies.”
g) “Its vastness; great natural resources and a rural area that can benefit from agriculture, tourism and other industries that are rural.”
h) “The same, working toward a common goal and supporting ED in rural southern Arizona.”
i) “Sharing ideas, thoughts and needs.”
j) “Continued focus on attracting businesses related to the defense industry because of the Fort. Other high-tech firms are possibilities, but not necessarily going after the “big fish.” Also, growing existing businesses is a HUGE opportunity that is being missed.”
k) “An information base of data and ‘strike teams’ to respond to opportunities.”
l) “Coordinated training of leadership.”
m) “Look for industries that support each areas economy, mining, agriculture, Ft. Huachuca, tourism loops.”
n) “More funding.”
o) “Improved coordination/communication and creating a shared vision between the region’s ED professionals and groups.”
Analysis:
These responses underscore the need for SEAGO‘s ED program to take the lead in coordinating economic development efforts, facilitating discussions to reach regional consensus and strategically focusing the diverse interests on common goals for the region.
Question 5
SEAGO produces and updates a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) funded by the Economic Development Administration designed to “bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic roadmap to diversify and strengthen regional economies”. Please select from the following:
Response:
Of the fifteen individuals responding:
NONE of them, or 0% indicated “I have read the SEAGO-region CEDS and used it as a planning tool.”
Two of them, or 13.3% indicated “I have read the SEAGO-region CEDS but have not found it useful.”
Seven of them, or 46.7% indicated “I know about the regional CEDS but have never read it.”
Six of them, or 40% indicated “I did not know such a document existed.”
Other Comments:
None.
Analysis:
SEAGO’s ED program has failed to effectively communicate the need and purpose of the CEDS, how it may be used as a planning tool and the potential benefits its membership could enjoy from a strategy to address the ED needs of the region.
Question 6
Please rate the following statement: “If a regional website and database were available containing demographics, GIS information, economically distressed zones, funding opportunities, regional statistics (income, unemployment rates, etc.), I/my organization would find it to be a useful tool and visit the site often.
Response:
Of the thirteen individuals responding:
Nine of them, or 69.2% indicated that this is a “True” statement.
NONE of them, or 0% indicated that this is a “False” statement.
Four of them, or 30.8% indicated “I don‘t know.”
Other Comments:
a) “Some of this is already available through the Center for Economic Research.”
b) “Some of this already exists.”
c) “Not often but would use.”
d) “Cochise College provides some of this information for Cochise and they would probably contract to do it for the region if asked and paid.”
Analysis:
SEAGO’s ED program may benefit from a partnership with Cochise College CER and other organizations in the region that maintain this type of data, and establish a regional website and database as described in the question above.
Question 7
If a regional economic summit was held annually, offering relevant speakers, training, funding information, and an opportunity to hear other communities in my region present their projects:
Response:
Of the sixteen individuals responding:
Eight of them, or 50% indicated that “They would definitely attend.”
Six of them, or 37.5% indicated that “Someone from my organization would attend.”
Two of them, or 12.5% indicated “I don’t know if I would attend.”
NONE of them indicated “I would not attend.”
Other Comments:
None.
Analysis:
An annual regional economic summit may be well received and beneficial to SEAGO”s member entities.
Question 8
The one most important thing SEAGO could be doing in the region with their Economic Development Program is:
Response:
Fifteen individuals, or 94% of the participants completed the question. Their answers appear below:
a) “Coordinating efforts.”
b) “?”
c) “Make the case for regional economic development by showing its benefits.”
d) “Help find and apply for Federal funding for economic development projects.”
e) “Training.”
f) “Provide staffing and assistance within the limits of the EDA grant.”
g) “Coordinate with members.”
h) “Bringing various entities to the table and having a strong concentrated effort.”
i) “Assist communities with strategic planning, assisting in identifying funding opportunities, and shepherding through the federal morass.”
j) “Pull cities, towns and counties together to have REGULAR discussions, and facilitate action. Also, be the conduit for economic development funding, developing a formal, written strategy, but most importantly…making sure that there is follow-through. Plans cannot just sit on the shelf. There needs to be outreach. “How can we help you?” And then actually DO something.”
k) “Information base — A search for opportunities, like with the State Dept of Commerce and then provide leads — help with availability of grants, not just with in EDA — developing regional marketing tools and methods.”
l) “Training local leadership.”
m) “Start with getting a good data base that could be given to prospects on line with who to call for further information. Find organizations you could link to on web.”
n) “Hire quality staff.”
o) “Providing information and technical assistance/application preparation services to secure project funding.”
Analysis:
These responses indicate that SEAGO’s ED program has done a poor job focusing on the Scope of Work submitted to the EDA, which includes tasks indicated in many of the opinions expressed above.
Question 9
Last question… Is there any other information on Economic Development strategies, opportunities, obstacles, or efforts you feel the SEAGO staff should be made aware?
Response:
Ten individuals, or 62.5% of the participants completed the question. Their answers appear below:
a) “CER already compiles a lot of this information and should be a major resource.”
b) “I have had no interaction with SEAGO’s ED program. My predecessor, Randy Heiss, may have greater insights regarding the value of such a program to Patagonia.”
c) “Sent separate email.”
d) “Cochise County and six cities in the county are undertaking a strategic planning effort for economic development.”
e) “Not to my knowledge.”
f) “No.”
g) “Diversity, distrust between organizations, lack of training, lack of information, failure to market the area.”
h) “Rural Development Council.”
i) “Have to think about it.”
j) “It may take considerable time and effort to overcome the dismal performance of the past ED program, but by building on small successes, SEAGO could take a leading role in coordinating and facilitating ED efforts.”
Analysis:
SEAGO’s ED program has a number of resources, including the expertise of the member entities themselves, which have not been properly utilized to the benefit of the region and could be tapped into for economic development purposes.
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