Commissioners move forward with separate economic development plan

El Paso County is looking to put a greater focus on economic development. County commissioners don’t want to leave the economic development partnership with the city, but are looking to pursue additional goals, like rural development and heritage tourism.

“We’re actually embarking on bigger things now, which is very exciting,” said County Judge Veronica Escobar. “One of those things is economic development.”

Escobar said opportunities can be seized now that the county has moved past the public corruption scandals that sent two of her predecessors to prison. The county currently funds two positions at the city’s economic development department to focus on rural growth. But commissioners want to reevaluate that situation.

“We have felt like we wanted to play a stronger role and a more prominent role in economic development,” Escobar said.

Earlier February, commissioners moved to create a downtown historic building survey. That’s something the city originally pursued, but then returned grant money over concerns restrictive regulations would result.

The county has also been more active in supporting development through public-private partnerships.

No action was taken Monday, but commissioners hope this will just the the first step in a more comprehensive plan. Some of the priorities discussed include extending the mission trail and covering other historical areas, as well as what to do with the County Coliseum when the city builds its downtown arena.

“We’re hoping to adopt a plan in March,” Escobar said. “It may be a little ambitious, and if in March we at least have some more solid direction, like if we all agree for example, yes, we want an economic development director, we can at least get HR to work on it.”

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El Paso County commissioners held a special meeting Monday focusing on a more detailed plan for economic development within county lines.

The meeting was one of the county’s first efforts to work on its own economic development priorities. The meeting included Market Street Services, a firm that was hired by the county last year on a $25,000 contract to help with a plan.

The county has been increasing its focus on economic development around the county, with public-private partnerships, activity around the Tornillo port of entry, and the recently approved downtown historic building survey.

Commissioners didn’t take any action Monday, but said the meeting was an important first step to developing a plan. The county has previously worked directly with city government on economic development.

The regular county commissioners meeting is scheduled for 1 p.m. Monday.