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staff. The second was attended by a broader audience of approximately 100 people representing <br />a cross-section of community leaders from business, education, governmenL politics and non- <br />profits. <br />The result of these community-wide planning sessions was a list of seven critical priorities and <br />accompanying strategies to address these priarities. The success of the strategic planning session <br />Nvill be determined by the 1eve1 of buy-in and ownership of the plan at all ]evels of community, <br />from leadership to citizenship. PEDC is committed to promoting this plan throughout the <br />remainder of this fiscal year and beyond. It is definitely a complicated and messy work in <br />progress to create a world-class community of which we are all proud. <br />Another imporiant step to achieving a positive, pro-business climate for our area is staying <br />informed on major legislative issues impacting Paris and Lamar County. To this end; PEDC is <br />actively involved in several transportation related organizations in an effort to keep the 4-lane <br />Highway 24 project on the forefront of all influential radars. With participation in the Sulphur <br />River Regiona] Mobility Authority and TEX-21; the I-30 Corridor Coalition, PEDC is up to date <br />on all transportation legislative matters. <br />PEDC Board and staff has also been involved in helping to create the Lamar County Chamber of <br />Commerce's legislative agenda for 2011. We will be attending Lamar County Day in Austin to <br />participate in meetings with key legislators and to help share Paris' needs with state leaders. <br />Communication with elected officials at all levels is necessary for our needs and concerns to be <br />heard. PEDC regularly communicates with our elected officials personally or through formal <br />written communication to ensure that no issue goes unheard. <br />Finally, a pro-business climate demands an available, trained, work-ready workforce. PEDC has <br />provided support for the formation of the Pari.s Young Professionals (YP) group and staff <br />frequently participate in or provide suppori for YP events. PEDC has also been working closely <br />with local ministers, Workforce Solutions NF; Texas and Paris Junior College to open <br />communication between people who need jobs and the employers who need dedicated, hard <br />working employees. PEDC has supported two employment-related fairs that resulted in job <br />seekers honing their job search skills and even submitting resumes for open positions. <br />PEDC is working closely with Workforce Solutions NE Texas; the City of Paris, and the <br />Diversity Taskforce on an exciting slate of events and activities to proactively address diversity <br />and inclusion issues in a positive and lasting way. Stay tuned for these efforts in the coming <br />weeks and months. <br />While many and varied; the goals of the PEDC 2010-11 Plan of Work are each vital to the health <br />and growth of Paris' and Lamar County's business and industry base. No two days are ever the <br />same and priorities can change at a moment's notice, but you can be sure that the ultimate goal <br />of the PEDC board and staff is to daily seek those things that position our City and County to be <br />a place where businesses grow and thrive, making our area irresistible to others who haven't yet <br />discovered their home in Paris, Lamar County, Texas. <br />- 38 <br />