Garland, Mayor Ron Jones, and the Garland Economic Development Partnership are spotlighted in a publication, The Role of Local Elected Officials in Economic Development: 10 Things You Should Know, recently released by the National League of Cities. It advises officials to "become informed and strategic decision-makers who can connect the policy 'dots,' be effective communicators and take a leadership role in economic development."
 

From The Role of Local Elected Officials in Economic Development: 10 Things You Should Know:"

1. Your local economic strengths and weaknesses.
2. Your community’s place in the broader regional economy.
3. Your community’s economic development vision and goals.
4. Your community’s strategy to attain its goals.
5. Connections between economic development and other city policies.
6. Your regulatory environment.
7. Your local economic development stakeholders and partners.
8. The needs of your local business community.
9. Your community’s economic development message.
10. Your economic development staff.

 
Five cities provide examples of best practices. Garland is used to illustrate "know your local economic development stakeholders and partners."
 

 
Garland, Texas (population 238,651)
 
A critical objective of the Garland Economic Development Partnership (GEDP), a collaboration of government, school and business leaders, is the retention of key businesses in the local community. A suburb of Dallas, Garland has been characterized as a major manufacturing city since the 1950s and is home to numerous Fortune 500 corporations such as Kraft Foods, General Dynamics and Raytheon.
 
In 2006, the city recognized the “Garland Top 100” businesses based on their tax value, number of employees and electric usage. The city estimates that the “Garland Top 100” represent 13 percent of the local tax base and employ 17 percent of the total workforce. City of Garland Mayor Ronald Jones and GEDP staff has visited nearly all of the top 100 manufacturing companies in Garland to hear their concerns and challenges directly.
 
According to Jones, these visits were intended to make sure that elected officials understand and recognize business needs, and that the businesses understand that the city appreciates they are part of our community. During the meetings, the mayor and GEDP staff discussed a variety of key issues, including workforce training needs, utility costs, and public safety. As a result, the city developed the Dallas County Manufacturers’ Association in collaboration with Richland College to provide specialized workforce training.
 
Contact:
Garland Chamber of Commerce
Phone: (469) 326-7444
 

 
Three of those five cities are represented on the steering committee of NLC's First Tier Suburbs Council, which recently held its summer meeting here in Garland. As the chairman, I was pleased to see the positive recognition for member cities, all of which have been working actively for years to promote economic development.
 
Even if you don't plan to be an elected official, it's a good guide to knowing what to expect of your elected officials.