Staff presented a draft economic development framework emphasizing South Town Center redevelopment, reducing $140M in retail leakage, business retention/outreach, code simplification and public‑private partnerships as ways to diversify revenue and support quality of life.

The committee asked staff to draft an RFP for a countywide economic development study to map small-business capacity, recommend tools (incentives, loans, grants), and propose strategies to reduce retail leakage; staff said a draft RFP will be provided within two committee meetings.

EDC and council members prioritized capturing retail leakage and developing youth/tournament sports fields on a 60-acre site as short-term strategies to attract visitors, hotels and restaurants and increase sales tax revenue.