The economic development group Focus Watertown (Watertown SD) has announced that it has retained STELLAR Fundraising Executives Inc., to complete a Feasibility Study and funding campaign for continued business expansion and retention activities beginning in June, 2003.

Focus Watertown was formed in 1997 when the Watertown Development Company and the Chamber of Commerce met in an effort to re-tool economic development. The group looked at Watertown's future and the need to better prepare the community for a renewed approach to growth and development. The resulting multi-year plan began in 1999 and is funded by a blend of private and public sector sources. Its purpose is to deliver a dynamic and purposeful mix of business attraction, retention and community development services.

The primary objectives of the original five-year plan include the attraction of four new primary sector employers that complement the existing employment base, enhancement of Watertown's competitive position, and better use of the community’s strategic advantages. The program goal is to help create 1,000 new """"family wage"""" jobs.

The group’s President and CEO, Richard Benda, said Focus Watertown is ahead of schedule in meeting its objectives. “We are right on track for adding additional jobs and capital investment in Watertown and STELLAR is also assisting us with the development of a powerful new return-on-investment Report Card for our investors detailing our many successes” he said.

The addition of Forward Watertown to the client roster of STELLAR is another testament to the young firm’s quick rise to the top of its industry “In Watertown, I believe our economic development fundraising expertise, service and process flexibility and commitment to communities both large and small gave us the edge over our competition,” said STELLAR President and CEO Terry Cusack. “Our experience and added value we bring to the process has earned us the opportunity to serve communities that had previously worked with other fundraising firms. We look forward to assisting Watertown in improving their economic prosperity and commend them on their commitment to quality growth for their community and its residents,” he concluded.