Economic Development Informational Series

From March to November 2023, Lorie Vincent of Acceleration by Design came to Smithville to provide informational sessions on a wide breadth of topics related to economic development. These sessions were funded by the City of Smithville and the Smithville Workforce Training Center (now SWTC - Career Tracks) and were intended to help community members understand best practices and learn from case studies to help determine the best route to "smart for us" growth. All but one of these sessions were recorded and can be viewed through the links listed below. The City and SWTC-Career Tracks are grateful to Lorie for bringing her nearly 40 years of experience and super programming to Smithville.

Acceleration by Design -- Lorie Vincent sessions:
• Kickoff (March 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_n94SeHgsU&t=63s
• Retail & Trade (April 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B8V9wOtHoPM&list=PLtfE8jJHfkzn7v0GlD7dz9aMNYFlnnFXW&index=3
• Telling Your Story (May 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLkxJUKjtDk&list=PLtfE8jJHfkzmufvLM55vyGPLcqgJyiv2i&index=2&t=48s
• Attainable Housing (June 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fX9Trh55RKw
• Workforce (July 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fe0ddPdNHls&list=PLtfE8jJHfkzn7v0GlD7dz9aMNYFlnnFXW&index=4
• Tourism (August 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGCOKIcikcQ
• Downtown Renaissance (October 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IC-pm6pTiFw
• Wrap Up (November 2023): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qT6ksdp7AFw&t=14418s – scroll to 1:28:30
• Resource website: https://www.accelerationbydesign.com/smithville

Economic Development Workshop Schedule Details
Kickoff Meeting (3/18/2023, 5-6PM @ City Hall): Council Workshop: Introduction
Meeting 1 (4/18/2023, 6-7PM @ Smithville Community Gardens): Hot Topic Huddle: Retail
Meeting 2 (4/25/2023, 11AM-1:30PM @ First National Bank FNB): Bank/Finance Organization Lunch & Learn
Meeting 3 (5/16/2023, 11AM-1:30PM @ Fat Cat): Telling Your Story Lunch & Learn
Meeting 4 (6/20/2023, 6-7PM @ Rec Center): HTH: Attainable, diversified, workforce housing
Meeting 5 (7/18/2023, 6-7PM @ Rec Center): HTH: Workforce/Talent Development
Meeting 6 (8/8/2023, 6-7PM @ FNB): HTH: Tourism/Parks/Recreation
Meeting 7 (10/18/2023, 5:30-7PM @ City Hall): Council Workshop: Downtown Renaissance
Meeting 8 (11/13/2023, 6:00PM (agenda) @ City Hall): Council Report: Wrap Up / Lessons Learned / Next Steps

During this time, Council member Tom Etheredge also presented on the topic of Home Rule: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le611k7D7Vs&list=PLtfE8jJHfkzn7v0GlD7dz9aMNYFlnnFXW&index=2