09-Paris Economic Development Corporation's Quarterly Report

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Invitation to Participate To: Projeci Advisory Committee From: Pike Burkhari; Chairman; Paris EDC Board Steve Gilbert, Executive Director, Paris EDC RE: Paris Regional Manufacturing Initiative June - September 2011 You are invited to participate as a member of the Project Advisory Committee far the Paris Regional Manufacturing Initiative. This is a short-term commitment and is critically important to our economic future. Below is information about the Advisory Committee and the Initiative: Background on Proiect and Initiative The Paris Regional Manufacturing Initiative, through the initial funding from the Paris Economic Development Corporation, has retained the services of Richard Seline, from Washington DC-based Regionnovate LLC. The Initiative is focused on identifying assets, infrastructure, capacity of workforce and skills, and the near-term scenario for our region to become a national hub of sustainable, advanced manufacturing in food and consumer goods. In this scenario, we would leverage our existing relationships with five consumer brands, partner with regional and state interests around the emerging Corporate America focus for more efficient and profitable manufacturing, and become a state-leader in the recruitment and attraction of new brands, increased market-share, and ultimately the transformation of our economic development future. The goal is to position the Paris Region as a state test-bed and then to connect with other regions around the U.S. in driving manufacturing in rural America as a place of choice for national and global brands. Further, our initial goal is to ensure our people, assets, and infrastructure are prepared now to engage with and respond to the expectations of Corporate America's selection of locations that "get it" - that understand why sustainable and advanced manufacturing are vital to their bottom-lines and the communities in which they thrive. Role of the Proiect Advisory Committee The members of the Project Advisory Committee are viewed as civic stewards and in turn civic "investors" - suggesting that you will examine the Initiative through a lens that encourage hard questions, assessment, and specific implementation tactics - along with vital performance and outcome metrics. Very similar to how an investor would examine a business plan and their own investment in an opportunity. 53