AREA OVERVIEW  

PLANNING AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES  

RESOURCES  

REGIONAL NEEDS  

VISION AND GOALS  

EVALUATION PLAN  

ABOUT GCEDD

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Evaluation Plan
The evaluation plan is a crucial element in the CEDS. It allows the District to review the activities of the year, determine the effectiveness of the activities, and revise the work plan appropriately for the upcoming year. The evaluation plan for the 1999 Gulf Coast CEDS is based on a list of four performance measures. The performance measures are scored by the CEDS Committee and the results will be used to determine which activities to keep, which activities to modify, and what possible new activities should be developed.

The CEDS performance is to be measured at the completion of the program year: June 30, 2000. This will require the evaluation to be conducted around May 2000. The evaluation is to be on scale of 1 to 5, with 5 indicating the ideal.

1. Quality of the Regional CEDS
  •  Usefulness of the economic analysis
  •  Appropriateness of Vision Statement
  •  Relevance of the goals in support of the Vision Statement
  •  Completion of the work plan

2. Extent of participation by government, business, and community leaders
  •  Board of Directors meeting attendance
  •  Establishment of effective committee structure
  •  District Communication and dissemination of information

3. Number of EDA grants awarded based on CEDS strategy.
  0 = 0 points
  1-2 = 2 points
  3-4 = 4 points
  5+ = 5 points

4. Hours of non-EDA-funded staff/volunteer activity in CEDS process.

2000 CEDS Evaluation

1. Quality of the Regional CEDS
  •  Usefulness of economic analysis
  •  Appropriateness of Vision Statement
  •  Relevance of the goals in support of the Vision Statement
  •  Completion of the work plan

Rating: 5

Comments: several additions and revisions to economic analysis recommended by CEDS committee for inclusion in next CEDS. There is general satisfaction with the Vision Statement and the goals appear to remain valid. Required work plan elements will be completed by conclusion of grant year. Additional work plan items still under development and may not be entirely complete by grant year end.

2. Extent of participation by government, business and community leaders
  •  Board of Directors meeting attendance
  •  Establishment of effective committee structure
  •  District communication and dissemination of information

Rating: 3

Comments: attendance at Board of Directors meetings has improved; executive committee meets monthly, with good attendance; CEDS committee established, no other committees currently in place; Web site upgrade and electronic communication capabilities under development, not yet completed; extensive work done to develop regional economic development contacts mail/e-mail list.

Recommended Actions: work to ensure that meeting programs are relevant and will stimulate interest and attendance. Explore ways to get more board members directly involved, through additional subcommittees, special project, events, tours, or other functions. Continue to utilize e-mail to provide faster communications.

3. Number of EDA grants awarded based on CEDS strategy
  0 = 0 points
  1-2 = 2 points
  3-4 = 4 points
  5+ = 5 points

Rating: 4

Comments: three projects authorized for funding (one refused by the applicant), one other application invited, likely to be authorized for funding. One more application is in development.

Recommended Actions: continue to promote EDA grant program throughout the region. Continue to provide technical assistance to applicants to help strengthen proposals and applications.

4. Hours of non-EDA-funded staff/volunteer activity in CEDS process

Rating: 4

Comments: 60 e-mail and fax responses to CEDS needs assessment, estimated 40 hours expended. 24 hours expended by participants in CEDS committee meetings. Eleven issues of GCEDD News e-newsletter published.

Recommended Actions: Continue to hold meetings to invite input into CEDS process. Continue to expand economic development contact lists and utilize e-mail surveys to gain input from the widest spectrum possible of stakeholders in the region’s economic development.

Overall rating: 16 out of 20

Comments or questions about GCEDD.org Web Site? Please submit your comments and/or questions to phorton@h-gac.com