By John R. Schirmer
News-Leader staff
The Developing Howard County board of directors plans to set up four focus groups in early 2025.
The groups will deal with topics such as industrial and business recruitment and retention, tax education, housing, and community life.
A meeting with those interested in participating is tentatively planned for Jan. 14 at UA-Cossatot in Nashville.
Board chairperson Paul Britt said the meeting will include a review of last fall’s community survey. After the presentation, attendees will have the opportunity to select one of the four focus groups and begin their discussions.
Information from the groups will become part of the county’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), an essential component of industrial recruitment.
The DHC board discussed the focus groups and other topics at their meeting Thursday, Nov. 21.
Changes in the panel’s bylaws were approved. Members must attend 8 of 12 meetings during the year and must reside in Howard County.
The DHC annual meeting was changed from January to October. “That will give us the opportunity to review what we’ve accomplished during the year and go over the budget for the next year,” Britt said.
Economic Development Director Vanessa Weeks reviewed the financial report. She said Husqvarna has paid the $10,000 it agreed to give for Developing Howard County.
After payments to UA-Cossatot and other expenses, the development group will have a balance of about $28,720 to end 2024, the report said.
The board will not meet in December.
Members will return in January for the focus groups meeting and the regular January meeting.
