The city's "Economic Development", as vague and undefined and last year's model.

The web site's only a year behind. In the context of New Albany, that's almost progress ... but of course, not really.

I'm no slave to mission statements like the one below, seeing as their default usage in modern times is designed to render inexact gibberish. However, I'll repeat my familiar theme of late: Isn't it possible, and in fact, preferable, for the city's economic development apparatus to be able to define and delineate its policies (if any) to distinguish between job creation in the industrial park and exurban settings (i.e., those receiving the lion's share of local government subsidy) and those in indie retail and services in the historic core -- you know, those receiving virtually no assistance from traditional economic "development" arms of local government?

Is there a plan? It isn't that we don't trust city hall ... but might we actually see the plan with our own eyes? Keeping it hidden under vests makes it difficult to discern shape and size.

And can it be next year's plan, and not the one from 2012 (below)? Perhaps the city's web site content provider for-hire has been too busy appending exclamation marks to every one-way social media utterance to have time for an update.


Economic Development

David Duggins
Director, Economic Development and Redevelopment
311 Hauss Square, Room 325
New Albany, IN 47150-3586
(812) 948-5333, phone
(812) 948-5329, fax
dduggins@cityofnewalbany.com

The City of New Albany’s Economic Development Department is committed to serving the community by aggressively pursuing new job opportunities and quality of life amenities for our citizens. We will accomplish this goal through both increased economic development and community development projects. Our department focuses on providing necessary leadership to our existing business community to ensure a vibrant business environment in all economic climates, while aggressively seeking new companies for our community.

STAFF

David Duggins, Director of Economic Development and Redevelopment

Community Development Block Grant Program & Schedule

The views of citizens, public agencies, and other interested parties are solicited to ensure reasonable and accessible involvement of the citizens of New Albany in the drafting, implementation, and assessment of the City of New Albany's Fiscal Year FY2012 One-Year Action Plan.

Participation shall be solicited through a Public Information Meeting, Public Hearings and the Department of Redevelopment. The full draft of the Citizens Participation Plan shall be made available at various community centers throughout the City, including the Redevelopment office and the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library.

The current schedule for 2012 public information meetings, public hearings and key dates is as follows. Annual meetings are scheduled thereafter. The Public information meetings are held at arious locations and all public hearings are held in the Assembly Room, Room 331 City-County Building, (unless otherwise noted)

Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 2:30 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
NARC meeting to conduct two Public Hearings to accept input into the development of the FY2012 One-Year Action Plan.

Saturday, March 10, 2012
Publish in Tribune the DRAFT FY2012 One-Year Action Plan.

Monday, March 12, 2012 through Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Thirty-day comment period commences and concludes.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 2:30 p.m.
NARC Meeting to ADOPT the Final FY2012 One-Year Action Plan.

Thursday, April 19, 2012 or Monday, May 7, 2012, 7:30 p.m.
New Albany Common Council will adopt a Resolution formally authorizing submittal of the FY2012 One-Year Action Plan to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Thursday, September 11, 2012, 2:30 p.m.
NARC will conduct a Public Hearing to report the Grantee’s performance for FY2011.

Please verify meetings due to possible dates, rooms and/or time changes. Questions and/or written comments shall be received in the Redevelopment Department, Room 325, City-County Building, New Albany, Indiana or by contacting 812-948-5333.