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staff. The second was attended by a broader audience of approximately 100 people representing a cross-section of community leaders from business, education, government, politics and non- profits. The result of these community-wide planning sessions was a list of seven critical priorities and accompanying strategies to address these priorities. The success of the strategic planning session will be determined by the level of buy-in and ownership of the plan at all levels of community, from leadership to citizenship. PEDC is committed to promoting this plan throughout the remainder of this fiscal year and beyond. It is definitely a complicated and messy work in progress to create a world-class community of which we are all proud. Another important step to achieving a positive, pro-business climate for our area is staying informed on major legislative issues impacting Paris and Lamar County. To this end, PEDC is actively involved in several transportation related organizations in an effort to keep the 4-lane Highway 24 project on the forefront of all influential radars. With participation in the Sulphur River Regional Mobility Authority and TEX-21, the 1-30 Corridor Coalition, PEDC is up to date on all transportation legislative matters. PEDC Board and staff has also been involved in helping to create the Lamar County Chamber of Commerce's legislative agenda for 2011. We will be attending Lamar County Day in Austin to participate in meetings with key legislators and to help share Paris' needs with state leaders. Communication with elected officials at all levels is necessary for our needs and concerns to be heard. PEDC regularly communicates with our elected officials personally or through formal written communication to ensure that no issue goes unheard. Finally, a pro-business climate demands an available, trained, work-ready workforce. PEDC has provided support for the formation of the Paris Young Professionals (YP) group and staff frequently participate in or provide support for YP events. PEDC has also been working closely with local ministers, Workforce Solutions NE Texas and Paris Junior College to open communication between people who need jobs and the employers who need dedicated, hard working employees. PEDC has supported two employment-related fairs that resulted in job seekers honing their job search skills and even submitting resumes for open positions. PEDC is working closely with Workforce Solutions NE Texas, the City of Paris, and the Diversity Taskforce on an exciting slate of events and activities to proactively address diversity and inclusion issues in a positive and lasting way. Stay tuned for these efforts in the coming weeks and months. While many and varied, the goals of the PEDC 2010-11 Plan of Work are each vital to the health and growth of Paris' and Lamar County's business and industry base. No two days are ever the same and priorities can change at a moment's notice, but you can be sure that the ultimate goal of the PEDC board and staff is to daily seek those things that position our City and County to be a place where businesses grow and thrive, making our area irresistible to others who haven't yet discovered their home in Paris, Lamar County, Texas. 50