Upper Cumberland TN Path to Becoming an Intermediary Presented by Lillian Hartgrove Highlands Economic Partnership

Framework Highlands Economic Partnership: 4 Counties – Programs of Work: Economic Development, Health and Wellness, Workforce Development and Education – WFD & E Goals Established: Preparing citizens for jobs now and in the future Evolution: small committee to full program of work – Steering Committee established – Chair and committee members chosen 2

Assessment Conducted Drop Out and Labor Studies Identified Goals to Address Studies Created Sub-committees for each goal Selected Sub-committee Chair and members – Employers, K-12, higher education – Meeting frequency and dates – Reporting results and challenges to steering committee, leadership and investors 3

Funding Streams Campaign: every 4 years Cash and In-kind (Public and Private Sectors) Workforce Development Funding – Phase 1 Two grants funded studies ($140,000) and $3,000 in kind – Phase 2 Two grants ($47,500) and $3,000 in kind – Phase 3 A larger grant ($101,850) for 2 years and $3,000 in kind 4

Staffing First Funding Campaign: – No dedicated staff – 1/8 FTE allocated Second Funding Campaign: – Part time fte allocated 3.5 years – 1.5 ftes allocated for.5 years Current Funding Campaign: – 1.5 ftes allocated for 1.5 years (grant) – Remaining 2.5 years uncertain – Future revenue streams uncertain 5

Employer Engagement Began with Board Members and Investors – Business and Industry Leaders – Hospital CEOs – University President Grew from Program of Work Goals and Objectives – Committee members – Advisory boards – Associations (Manufacturing, Human Resources, etc.) Expanded by Asking/Inviting Participation – Presentations to associations, civic organizations, and elected officials – Outlining engagement opportunities 6

Intermediary Challenges Funding – Stakeholders agree its a high priority – Leave no stone unturned! Strategic plan implementation – You can be in the hot seat – Get out of it! Stakeholder alignment – Keeping it – Move it forward! Long Term Commitment – Results not immediate – Keep the passion! 7

Intermediary Challenges Meetings and attendance – You can build it but will they come? – Do not give up! Group dynamics – Ever changing with new players – Work it! Commitment to deadlines – Intricate and often a slippery slope – Whose in the hot seat now? Analogy of flying the plane while building it 8

Collective Rewards Success breeds success Contagious passion Collaboration and team work A lasting difference – Children – Economy – Future 9

10 Questions and Answers