More Accountability and Results Demanded

I find these types of stories in many places across the country. This is from a recent news article in the Hilton Head, SC area pointing to accountability problems and the need for more results from the area ED group. My advice is that EDO's need to advance their efforts aimed at becoming more performance-based. Despite some progress in this area, everyone has a long way to go. What is happening in the Hilton Head area could happen to your organization!

"Beaufort County hasn't gotten much bang for its buck in economic development, and County Council should reconsider its approach.

The county paid $270,000 this year to a public-private organization that is not producing results. It has paid $805,000 to the Greater Beaufort-Hilton Head Economic Partnership over the past three years. On top of that, a number of other public bodies put lesser amounts into the partnership, which has not brought any companies here and has not raised income levels.

In fairness to the partnership, there are not a lot of success stories nationally. A slow national economy, a shift to more global competition, the increase in outsourcing and the stiff competition for jobs nationally have made it hard for anyone, particularly those in small markets, to hit home runs.

But that doesn't entitle the local partnership to a blank check. There needs to be more accountability."

Here for more.