The executive director of the Coeur d’Alene Area Economic Development Corporation wants to put you to work.

And you. And you. And you.

“I’m not asking you to take another job. I am asking you to take a little time and help us do ours,” Mysty Rusk said at the CDAEDC’s annual meeting Tuesday at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

Rusk, who recently took over leadership of the economic development organization, distributed hundreds of small boxes to those in attendance. Inside were a bumper sticker, window decal, deck of cards and even a CDAEDC prescription pad. Each item featured the slogan “Shape What’s Next” and a QR code.

Rusk described the contents as a toolkit and said she hopes to see the materials throughout the community.

“I’m asking you to put them to work,” she said.

In her first major public address since taking the position about two months ago, Rusk outlined a vision for economic development in North Idaho that depends on broad community involvement through the organization’s new “Shape What’s Next” campaign.

The effort encourages residents to share ideas and feedback through messages such as:

• “Economic development in North Idaho. Weigh in. We are counting on you.”

• “Help us get it right.”

• "Game On."

• “Keep thinking. Keep sharing.”

During her first weeks on the job, Rusk said she discovered an “extraordinary amount of love for this place.”

“In this room today, there’s enough knowledge, expertise and goodwill to help us discover what is best for North Idaho,” she said.

Also known as Jobs Plus, the CDAEDC has compiled an extensive list of accomplishments since its founding in 1987. The organization says it has assisted more than 125 companies, helped create more than 7,000 jobs, generated more than $62 million in property taxes, attracted more than $77 million in capital investment in Kootenai County and supported about $144 million in annual payroll.

According to its website, the organization serves Kootenai County, its rural communities and the region’s four largest cities: Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls, Hayden and Rathdrum.

“Our mission is to build a healthy economy for the region by strengthening the base, diversifying the economy, supporting the creation of new jobs and advancing workforce development in cooperation with local, regional and state partners,” the organization states.

Rusk said the EDC is a place where connections become opportunities and where people who care about North Idaho can share valuable insight and have a meaningful voice.

“That’s why we are launching ‘Shape What’s Next,’” she said.

Throughout her career, Rusk has led organizations through strategic planning, fundraising, organizational growth and governance improvements while building collaborative relationships across the public and private sectors.

She pointed to previous successes as evidence of what can be accomplished.

“The last thing I built helped 2,200 companies raise a billion dollars in seven days. And I’ve been blessed to build other really amazing things,” she said. “I have never built the same thing twice, and I’ve never built anything for myself."

In her short time with the organization, Rusk said she has met with business owners, community leaders and elected officials.

“Those conversations are helping shape some ideas about where we go from here,” she said.

Among those discussions, she said, are opportunities to help small businesses grow into major employers.

“To do this well, we need to build stronger relationships with the businesses that are already here,” Rusk said. “We need our small- and medium-sized employers to understand just how important they are to the future of this community, and they need to understand how we can help them reach their full potential.”

The EDC’s plans include recruiting companies that provide livable wages and benefits while strengthening the regional economy. It wants to focus on attraction, expansion, retention and startups.

"If that sounds good to you, let's go to coffee and talk about it," Rusk said.

The organization plans emphasize two sectors: advanced manufacturing and bioscience, while continuing to explore opportunities in other industries.

“Our goal isn’t growth for growth’s sake,” Rusk said. “It’s attracting quality contributors to our economy, businesses that create jobs, pay their own way when it comes to housing, healthcare and food, and contribute to a vibrant, healthy regional economy.”

Rusk said she hopes to hear from residents throughout the region.

“Above all, please help us shape what’s next,” she said.

    Steve Griffitts, past executive director of the CDAEDC, listens during Tuesday's annual meeting at The Resort.