CDC gets updated strategy
The Community Development Corporation of Butler County is updating itself to work better to bring development and jobs to the county.
Jerry Andree, president of the CDC board of trustees and the Cranberry Township manager, said the organization has a new strategic plan that includes changes to the group’s vision and mission statement.
Both the vision and mission statements more clearly outline what the organization, headquartered in Butler, is about, said Ken Raybuck, CDC executive director.
“People think we are a government agency, but we are a private, nonprofit corporation supported by public and private funds,” he said.
As for the strategic plan, it has seven goals including increased help for established businesses, increased communication to recruit new businesses to the county and increased revenue while selling property the group has.
Both Andree and Raybuck focused on two new board committees, the Economic Development Committee and the Butler County Economic Response Team Committee or CERT.
“These committees will address specific goals in the strategic plan to bring new businesses to Butler County and to help those that are already here,” Raybuck said.
Andree said these committees are “tools” for the CDC to use to keep the county economy growing.
As for added communication with businesses and the public, the CDC has partnered with the Butler County Tourism and Convention Bureau to bring in a manager of communications for the CDC.
While Marcie Barlow’s paycheck is signed by the tourism bureau, she works solely for the CDC as its communications manager.
“We hope all of these efforts will help Butler County’s economic status continue to grow,” Andree said.
