Back in the late 90’s California Governor Pete Wilson’s administration established what he called the state’s economic development RED TEAM. To this date I have not found a single person that can tell me what the “R” in RED stood for. No matter, the purpose of Governor Wilson’s newly created organization, made up of the state’s most powerful business leaders, was to address high-priority fast-turnaround economic development projects.
The concept of the RED TEAM approach to responding to opportunities and challenges caught on and since then hundreds if not thousands of communities, large and small, have created their own economic development RED TEAM. Although you can find differences in how they operate, there is one common theme among all red teams: Promote economic development by providing support to those charged with improving the economic well-being of the community.
The Copperas Cove EDC met on July 19th with a group of what we call “community stakeholders” to provide them with an overview of our proposed version of a RED TEAM. We also discussed the benefits of having such a team in place and offered them an opportunity to join us in our effort to attract new businesses to Copperas Cove and retain those that are already here. This was a recruitment meeting!!
So the first question the average citizen would have is: What is a “RED TEAM” and why do we need one?
Typically defined, a RED TEAM is a group of diverse stakeholders and major decision makers within and outside of government willing to contribute time, resources, talent and passion to economic development in their community. The RED TEAM serves in an advisory and support capacity to the Copperas Cove EDC Board of Directors and staff regarding the work to retain and expand existing businesses as well as attracting new businesses to the community. Members of the “RED TEAM” will be provided with educational training from economic development professionals on a regular basis.
The next question is: What will the Copperas Cove RED TEAM do?
Our RED TEAM members will be invited to assemble on a project by project basis depending on the circumstances presented by individual opportunities and challenges. The team will come together as necessary when news is received that a company is considering Copperas Cove as a place to do business. Also, the team may be assembled when news is received that a Copperas Cove business may be closing, considering moving out of town, or is having trouble doing business in our community. There will be times when it will not be necessary to bring everyone together. There will also be times in which a phone call or two will do.
The final question is: What will be the role of the Copperas Cove RED TEAM in the community?
As a collaborative body, its role will be to work with the Copperas Cove EDC to successfully create partnerships that will lead to attracting and retaining businesses. Very importantly, the RED TEAM will also address issues that connect Copperas Cove with other communities in our region.
The Copperas Cove EDC currently is working eleven active business attraction projects; seven of those coming to us in the last 40 days or so. That means that we have spent a lot of time researching, locating and verifying information about population, educational attainment, job related skills, housing, utility costs and availability and much more.
Having a Copperas Cove RED TEAM in place will allow us to reduce our response time, prepare better proposals, and present ourselves as a united community with a shared vision.
Polo Enriquez
Executive Director
Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation