2004 CONAC Strategic Plan

Vision:  “Building our Future through Community Partnerships.”

Mission:  “The Center of North America Coalition (CONAC) Rural Economic Area Partnership (REAP) exists to create our future through community partnerships, building regional organizational capacity, and fostering cooperative assistance to facilitate community development.

Goal 1 - Identify and encourage leadership in our communities.

Objective 1 - Conduct Training in community leadership.
TASKS-

1. Endorse Rural Leadership ND project efforts.
2. Create intergenerational leadership programs for youth.
3. Present CONAC information to county commissioner meetings.
4. Identify alternative strategies to deal with elected leadership.

Goal 2 - Create networks with partnering organizations.

Objective 1 - Coordinate and make more accessible the resources available inside and outside the CONAC Region.

Goal 3 - Assist CONAC communities in their efforts to enhance quality of life.

Objective 1 - Endorse community efforts to address housing needs

Objective 2 - Implement priority actions addressed in the 2002 Information Technology Plan   

Objective 3 - Identify and implement young people retention & attraction strategies.
TASKS-

1. Fund internship program in the zone matching students with business.  (Denise, JoAnn, Curt, Ken)

Objective 4 - Explore the possibilities for more health care collaboration inside and outside the CONAC region

Objective 5 - Assist communities in developing water systems and other infrastructure projects needed to improve the quality of life and attract new residents and businesses.
TASKS-

1. Support the efforts to secure an inter-modal shipping site in or near the zone.

Objective 6 - Encourage and endorse workforce and life long learning opportunities throughout the CONAC region.
TASKS-

1. Fund opportunities for work-force training.
2. Expand on-the-job training and apprentice program opportunities.

Objective 7 - Champion homesteading strategies.

Goal 4 - Increase the diversity and quality of economic opportunities in our region.

Objective 1 - Increase jobs available in CONAC communities.
TASKS-

1. Expansion of TechLink business into a CONAC community.
2. Create a strategy to attract government out-sourced jobs.  (George, Laura, Jim)

Objective 2 - Recognize tourism as the second leading industry in North Dakota.
TASKS-

1. Complete a regional tourism-marketing plan.  (Diane, Laura, Doc, Charlie)

Objective 3 - Encourage retention, expansion and start-up of entrepreneurial businesses.
TASKS-

1. Maximize the utilization of the capitol fund for the CONAC region.
2. Encourage the use of renaissance zone incentives.
3. Identify emerging industries/businesses.
4. Increase the availability of equity and venture capitol for new/existing businesses.

Objective 4 - Attract international investment to local businesses.