The Fort Bend EDC is a 37-year-old organization that has stood the test of time and remained impactful and relevant. However, as the communities have grown and challenges and opportunities are redefining, the organization and the county need a fresh look to determine strategy, target markets, assets and opportunities, and structure between the Fort Bend EDC, the cities within Fort Bend, and the Fort Bend County economic development department (created this fiscal year).
Fort Bend County and the FBEDC engaged economic development consulting firm TIP Strategies, based in Austin, to assist with the preparation of a strategic plan. This work will result in a blueprint for guiding the county in driving long-term economic vitality.
Scope of Work
Solutions to the area’s economic challenges, Strategies to recruit new businesses, Plans to best attract and retain talent, Strategies to develop a best-in-class local workforce, Target industries based on assets and opportunities
The strategic plan will also focus on an organizational assessment and (re)alignment for both the county and the FBEDC. Looking at all the resources in the county, TIP Strategies will develop recommendations that provide feedback on how to structure an economic development model for the county that best utilizes professional resources.
The FBEDC Executive Committee and the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court will each receive a series of recommendations for consideration regarding the individual organizations and the larger model and where each entity fits. Delivery of recommendations as part of the larger strategic plan is expected by the end of October.
Schedule
The Strategic Plan was initiated in FY2023 and will conclude and be presented to the FBEDC Board of Directors in Q2 of FY2024
Stakeholder Roundtables
Development community, education leadership, elected officials, large land owners, economic development directors and others
Interviews
With key stakeholders, FBEDC staff, Fort Bend County elected officials and staff
Phases
Discovery, Opportunity, Organizational, and implementation
Spend
Split between the EDC and Fort Bend County
As Fort Bend County repositions resources, most notably creating a Department of Economic Development and Opportunity, the FBEDC took a critical look at staffing and priorities as well. Understanding the county and cities have specific priorities, we adjusted the structure and duties this fiscal year.
The ongoing strategic plan will deliver feedback and recommendations in October 2023 on how to position the organization moving forward, but we received feedback from the public sector via contract negotiations this year that indicate roles and priorities. Therefore, the FBEDC re-examined existing priorities and staff and adjusted our resources to support those new priorities defined by the public sector while maintaining our commitment to focus on those areas of opportunity driven by the private sector.
Refocusing on marketing, public policy, workforce, infrastructure, and business climate, we added a new staff member to assist with marketing and are positioned to add a second new resource on July 1, 2023, to focus on data, research, and public policy support. We redefined roles within our existing staff, and given the county’s focus and feedback, as an organization, we shifted away from incentives and deal negotiations. In doing so, we will lose a resource on July 1.
The team remains committed to ensuring Fort Bend County remains an economic powerhouse and looks forward to considering the recommendations drafted in the strategic plan.