It’s 2021, and Economic Development Week (#EconDevWeek) has officially kicked off. Still, we would like to take a moment to reflect on what Economic Development is and what it does within the scope of the city’s growth, governance, and administration. Within the City of Schertz, economic development is a group effort that involves the City of Schertz Economic Development Corporation (SEDC), elected officials, boards and commissions, city staff & departments, and a variety of area partners. Together, we work to grow our economy by attracting & retaining Primary Jobs, pursuing infrastructure improvements, and providing workforce training that as a whole make the community a desirable place to work and live.
Below are a few questions that we get regarding Economic Development, and in promotion of #EconDevWeek we’re answering them to provide you, the reader a description of what we do to help make communities strong:
What is Economic Development?
We often get asked what exactly is Economic development? If you perform a Google search, you’ll find there are few definitions. Still, ultimately they all say the same thing, Economic Development is the intentional practice of improving a community’s economic well-being and quality of life. It includes a broad range of activities to attract, create, and retain jobs and to foster a resilient, pro-growth tax base and an inclusive economy. The practice of economic development comprises collaborative efforts involving industry, government, and myriad community stakeholders.
Who are Economic Developers?
Economic developers are professional practitioners of economic development. Economic developers have a code of ethics, profession-specific education & training, and professional certification. With varying backgrounds and specializations, economic developers frequently provide both leadership in policy-making and administering policies, programs, and projects in support of economic development. (IEDC)
What does an Economic Developer do?
Professional economic developers engage in several tasks to support their community’s economic development. As unique as the community is, so is each economic developer. While many economic developers may specialize in one or more areas, understanding the interactions of all is essential to success. Economic developers regularly engage with all aspects of business and development processes, whether it be in business retention & expansion, marketing & attraction, entrepreneurship & small business development, real estate development, technology commercialization, finance, workforce development, strategic planning, disaster recovery & resiliency, and international opportunities. (IEDC)
What are some local resources for Economic Development in Schertz?
The SEDC has several resources available for businesses looking to expand or relocate to Schertz. The SEDC Assistance Center is a one-stop resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners to find information on market information, available properties, development assistance, and information on connecting with our regional partners. The SEDC and City of Schertz also offer targeted local incentives to help spur investment in Schertz. In addition to the SEDC’s incentives, the City of Schertz has two incentive programs that target investment programs: the Schertz Main Street Local Flavor Economic Development Program and the Schertz Main Street Preservation Incentive Program.
Ultimately, economic development is the process of many individuals working to grow local communities. For more information on the SEDC’s efforts, explore our blog.