A c t i o n P l a n
TECHNICAL TWINNING PROGRAM FOR TECHNICAL COOPERATION BETWEEN:
MUNCIPALITY OF ROUSSE, BULGARIA
AND
CITY OF DULUTH, USA
INTRODUCTION
In order to implement the activities described in the Memorandum of Agreement, the Municipality of Rousse and the City of Duluth have agreed to the following seven point strategy. This will serve as a framework for the on-going relationship between our two cities. The Action Plan looks at both short-term objectives and long term goals. The short-term objectives are items, which can be successfully accomplished in the next ten months. The long-term goals will take our relationship forward into the future.
The seven major points of this strategy, in priority order, are as follows:
I. Center for sustainable development
II. Finance/bonding/assistance
III. Public/private partnership for economic development
IV. Educational development relationships
V. Arts & cultural exchanges
VI. Public Library development and cooperation
VII. Develop transportation
I. CENTER FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
OBJECTIVE
To provide technical assistance to establish a center for sustainable development including organization, public participation and funding.
ACTION ITEMS
A. Assist in identifying community development needs
B. Develop strategies to respond to needs
C. Select programs/projects to implement strategies
TIME:
- Visit to identify needs - Jan. 98
- Strategy paper - March 98
- Program selection - April 98
- Final plan document - June 98
II. FINANCE/BONDING/ASSISTANCE
OBJECTIVE
To assist Rousse in identifying and pursuing financing/bonding sources for public projects
ACTION ITEMS:
A. Identify types and costs of projects the city desires to pursue
B. Investigate and examine funding alternatives available to be utilized
C. Match projects to financing methods
D. Assist preparing financing pro-formas
TIMELINE
1. Visit to identify projects/costs - Jan. 98
- Funding paper - Feb. 98
3. Prepare pro-formas - May 98
III. PUBLIC/ PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
OBJECTIVE
To establish an economic development partnership which will implement programs and projects, to create new businesses and to help existing businesses expand.
ACTION ITEMS
A. Identify the key public and private partners
B. Create the structure for a partnership
C. Develop a marketing strategy and plan
D. Refine local loan and venture capital programs
TIME
A. Visit to identify needs - Nov. 97
- Create structure - Jan. 98
- Develop plan - March 98
- Refine programs - June 98
IV. EDUCATIONAL DEVELOPMENT RELATIONSHIP
OBJECTIVE
Pursue the development between institutions of higher education, as well as between secondary education, to include both student and instructor exchanges.
V. ARTS AND CULTURAL EXCHANGES
OBJECTIVE
Pursue active exchanges of the cultural and art resources of the communities.
VI. PUBLIC LIBRARY DEVELOPMENT AND COOPERATION
OBJECTIVE
Establish a unique relationship between the libraries of the two cities to include exchange of information, staff, technology and collections.
VII. DEVELOP TRANSPORTATION
OBJECTIVE
Provide assistance to evaluate the needs and opportunities for the fully utilization and development of Rousse's transportation resources including the port, rail, trucking and air.
