Early in its existence, the Ketchum Community Development Corporation is continuing to define itself, adding a subcommittee and revising others.
The CDC is a nonprofit entity with 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status whose board is the Ketchum mayor and City Council. The first meeting of the year was held Jan. 2.
The CDC opted to increase the number of committees from six to seven and rename two committees to better reflect their missions.
"Alternative transportation" will become "transportation," and "resource development" will become "development." A new committee, "village technologies," was added.
Another topic of discussion was establishing a line of demarcation between municipal functions and CDC functions.
"We should be very mindful as we begin to roll this out, where the line is," said Councilman Steve Shafran. "As these committees begin to take life, we should ask each committee, 'What do you think you're doing?'"
Implementation of a jitney service, which could shuttle people around downtown to help ease traffic and parking woes, could be a function of either. But since the city is wrapped up in a number of other larger issues—and has a small staff to begin with—such a project could be a good fit for a CDC subcommittee.
Once it fully develops, the Ketchum CDC could oversee management of a number of other entities, or it could partner with quasi-governmental agencies such as the Blaine-Ketchum Housing Authority and the Urban Renewal Agency to work on specific issues, such as affordable housing.
"The most important thing about the CDC is synergy," said Tom Hudson, CDC executive director. "We're looking for ways to collaborate."
The CDC in the future also could establish a community development financial institution and other funding mechanisms to help further the goals of the city's downtown master plan.
The CDC's next meeting has not yet been scheduled.
