Economic Development Timeline and Analysis Phase

The following is what County Council was sent regarding Vieste's timeline and analysis for economic development:


Feb. 28, 2007

From:
Dick Robertson
Vieste LLC
Dearborn Co. Project Manager

Subject: Economic Development Timeline and Analysis Phase

Dear Councilmember

Enclosed is the Dearborn County, Indiana Economic Development Approach Timeline and Analysis Phase for your review prior to the next Council Meeting. This is the timeline and analysis that we are submitting to you from our discussion with Councilmember Mark Mitter and Charlie Fehrman and the County Working Group.

If you have any questions between now and the Council meeting please feel free to give me a call.

Cell no. 317-460-4910



Dick Robertson
Vieste LLC



Dearborn County, Indiana
Economic Development Plan – Analysis Phase

Existing Condition Analysis/Positioning – TIF Districts

Infrastructure Analysis
Further evaluate existing transportation and utility infrastructure for location, sizing and capacity to support development in each of the TIF Districts. Obtain schematic mapping of existing infrastructure. Assess needs and approach to infrastructure expansion.


Parcel Identification/Positioning

Identify all parcels existing in each TIF District, documenting ownership, size, dimensions, and characteristics.


Market & Economic Analysis

Analyze market values, comparables and real estate trends for each sub-market. Tie potential submarket alternatives to parcels available in each TIF District to begin assessing market viability. Evaluate compatibility of available parcels to potential uses.


Planning & Zoning Analysis

Analyze existing planning requirements and zoning categories available for use in each TIF District. Evaluate possible enhancements to ensure proper planning and zoning conformance while maximizing marketability.


Inter-local utilities negotiations

Hold discussions with local municipal jurisdictions and utility providers to fully understand infrastructure availability for potential economic development within the existing TIF districts.

Existing Conditions Analysis – County Wide


Preliminary Engineering Analysis

Evaluate topographic characteristics, resources, existing infrastructure, drainage, and other engineering related issues that would contribute to economic development. Identify those areas most conducive to development throughout Dearborn County based on these characteristics.


Preliminary Environmental Analysis

Identify any environmental concerns within the county that might present obstructions to development and that should be protected during development.


Market & Economic Analysis

Evaluate the regional market to fully understand real estate values and sub-market conditions, employment trends, demographic trends as well as competitive economic development initiatives.


Planning & Zoning Analysis

Compare and contrast the County’s Comprehensive Plan, Planning, Zoning processes to others within the region.


Developer Tours/Interviews

Interview master developers within the three state area to solicit independent input and opinions into the economic development initiative within Dearborn County.


State of Indiana Interviews

Meet with various State of Indiana departments that would have a role in any economic development initiative within the County and solicit input from these agencies with respect to their areas of concentration.
Vieste LLC will oversee all aspects of this analysis phase at the direction of the County Administrator. The solicitation, procurement and oversight of all independent consultants will be approved through the County Commissioners. The program management team will partner with the Planning Director and Plan Commission to ensure that there is consensus and collaboration throughout the process. The role of the Commissioners and Council through this process is to maximize opportunities for growth of the tax base and fiscal growth. The role of the Planning Director and Plan Commission through this process is to implement appropriate planning & zoning to support proper growth.

The progress of this phase will be regularly discussed in the biweekly team meetings. The final deliverable resulting from this phase will be an interim economic development plan report that will recommend further direction. This plan will be distributed through the County Administrator to the County Commissioners and County Council at its conclusion.

A series of public information meetings will be held to regularly inform the general public as to the intent, direction and progress of this program. These meetings will be led by the county staff, including the County Administrator, Planning & Zoning Director and members of the County Plan Commission.

The Program Management Team will collaborate with the Dearborn County Plan Commission and the Dearborn Economic Development Initiative throughout this phase.


Dearborn County Economic Development Approach Timeline
(Disclaimer: Vieste’s original was a bar chart; however, this list is an exact reflection of Vieste’s timeline.)


Public Informational Meetings – Monthly from March to July

Progress Meetings – biweekly from March to July

Existing Conditions Analysis/Positioning – TIF Districts

Infrastructure Analysis – March 1 to April 15
Parcel Identification/Positioning – March 1 to March 31
Market & Economic Analysis – March 1 to April 15
Planning & Zoning Analysis – March 1 to April 15
Inter-local utilities negotiations – April 1 to April 30

Existing Conditions Analysis – County Wide

Preliminary Engineering Analysis – March 1 to April 15
Preliminary Environmental Analysis – March 1 to April 15
Market & Economic Analysis – March 1 to April 15
Planning & Zoning Analysis – March 1 to April 15
Developer Tours/Interviews – April 1 to April 15
State of Indiana Interviews – March 16 to April 15

Interim Report/Recommendations – end of April

Marketing & Promotion – April 16 to June 30

Developer Solicitation – May 1 to June 30

State Level Transactions
Indiana Department of Natural Resources – May 1 to May 31
Indiana Department of Environmental Management – May 1 to May 31
Indiana Department of Transportation – May 1 to June 30
Indiana Economic Development Corporation – April 16 to June 30

Local Transactions
City of Lawrenceburg – June 1 to June 30
Ripley County – June 1 to June 30

Engineering Studies/Scoping – June 1 to July 15
Financial Due Diligence/Planning – June 1 to July 15
Public Private Partnership Modeling – June 1 to July 15