SULLIVAN COUNTY, NY — In an effort to create a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan, Sullivan County is seeking input from potential members of an advisory committee. The potential members were drawn from the list of residents who attended public meetings in September 2012 regarding the future of economic development in Sullivan County.

Input from the potential members is being gathered from a survey on the internet service Survey Monkey at www.surveymonkey.com/s/scedasurvey. In the survey, 33 initiatives are listed and potential committee members are asked to rank their importance on a scale from one to 10, with one being the most important and ten being the least.

The initiatives cover a wide rage of subjects that could impact the future development of the county. Some sample initiatives are: continue to work to expand the local property tax base; ensure that the Center for Workforce Development staff and its partners are educated on economic development principles; seek to have improved broadband, cell service in rural areas; develop natural gas availability where feasible in areas where other infrastructure exist; develop a year-round farmers’ market & crafts center; create local dairy processing infrastructure and facilities; consider development of a food hub.

The email sent to potential advisory committee members asked that the survey be complete by April 1, and that members attend a progress meeting on April 3, at 6:30 p.m. at the CVI Building in Ferndale, NY.

The Comprehensive Economic Development Strategic Plan is being created by the consulting firm of Wadley Donovan GrowthTech, which has reviewed previous reports regarding economic development in Sullivan County and has conducted interviews with various individuals in the county.