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Healthy communities have healthy businesses. Business retention and expansion programs assist small businesses to prevent relocation and help them survive difficult times.
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1. An economic development strategy Business Retention & Expansion
2. Healthy communities have healthy businesses Business retention and expansion programs
assist small businesses to prevent relocation and
help them survive difficult times.
#1 economic development activity in US.
REAL JOB GROWTH OVER TIME COMES FROM LOCAL BUSINESS EXPANSION.
3. Purpose Establish relationships
Strengthen existing companies
Establish early warning signs to flag at-risk businesses that require assistance
Ensure that public programs meet business needs
4. Advantages Local businesses have strong community ties
Less expensive than recruitment, attraction
Yields more jobs
Identifies and directs resources to growth companies
Defines clear role for economic development organization
5. Outcomes Link expanding businesses with public programs to mitigate growing pains and regulatory issues
Improved communication and partnerships
Strong public image for economic development
Strategic plan for improved business climate
Improves infrastructure, making communities more attractive for future investment
Business cluster strategies
Success stories documenting company and economic growth
6. Economic Impact Average community derives 76% of new jobs and capital investment from existing business
Business attraction = 15%
Entrepreneurship = 9%
In a rural area, the contribution of existing businesses is likely to be 86 - 90% because both business attraction and entrepreneurship will contribute less.
Looking at the source of jobs in a community gives insight into the importance of business retention
7. Assessment of business climate Form steering committee
Develop business list
Invite broad cross-section to serve on task force
Train the task force
Interview businesses in teams of 2
Address immediate needs
Review survey results and strategize
Implement projects
Follow-up visits
8. Task Force Members Inclusive, broad representation geographically and by sector Economic development
Chamber of commerce
City, county, state government
Schools, college
Cooperative extension service
Utility companies
Workforce center
Nonprofit leaders
Business community
volunteers
9. Synchronist Survey System Provided by our friends at the Wyoming Business Council Microsoft Access system
e-Synchronist System® and Synchronist Business Information System® from Blane, Canada Ltd.
Team interviews company
Enter data online
Generate reports with local, state info
WBC pays local ED for surveys of primary industry
10. Survey design Questions designed to gather predictive data
corporation’s growth plans
community problems if any
need or desire for assistance
perception of place in the community
perception and level of awareness the company may have of the officials themselves
Interview strategy leads to an understanding of
value of the company to the community
satisfaction levels
growth potential
potential risk of the firm leaving the community or downsizing
11. Improving the Business Climate Support and services to help companies increase sales and grow in the community Finance
Incentives
Taxes
Real estate
Workforce issues
Regulations
Technology
12. The degree to which business retention and expansion programs are linked to other community programs such as loan funds or workforce training initiatives can have a significant impact on program effectiveness. Evaluation
13. Quantitative Measures # jobs created/retained
# retained businesses
Cost per job created/retained
# businesses visited
# businesses surveyed
# at-risk businesses assisted
% jobs held by local residents/low-income persons
Average salary of jobs created
Spinoff private investment
14. Qualitative Measures Business perceptions of local government
Business perceptions of the community
Relationship between business retention programs and city services available to businesses
i.e. workforce initiatives
Involvement of assisted businesses in community activities
15. 85% of new jobs come from Business Retention and Expansion McAllen, Texas The McAllen Economic Development Corporation has taken a new approach in recruiting new investment to our region. Since 2001, MEDC has been actively working with companies …which allows the staff to stay informed with the needs of local businesses. Due to the different obstacles and opportunities for growth among each company, the MEDC staff is able to help identify what challenges may lie ahead and are able to react to meet industry needs. Through the implementation of the BRE Program, Workforce Solutions, South Texas College, The University of Texas Pan America and the MEDC staff are working as a team to help our existing companies grow.
16. Janie Ramos Vice President of U.S. Recruitment and Business Retention and Expansion “Our economic prosperity thrives on revenues generated by local businesses. As a company grows, we understand they need more than gratitude.
Our goal is to identify a company’s needs and concerns and foster expansion opportunities by tapping into potential local resources which could increase the company’s competitiveness and improve our community’s quality of life.”
17. Ralph Garcia Vice President of Business Recruitment for the McAllen Economic Development Corporation “As an economic development organization we have the responsibility to attract new investment and also take the initiative to invest in our existing business by providing them with the necessary solutions and support needed to help them grow.”
18. Eric Canada Economic development consultant, IL
Blane, Canada Ltd. “Progressive communities are looking at the existing business base as a portfolio. The value of the portfolio is the sum total of the value the individual companies bring to the community. Similar to an investment portfolio, the community’s portfolio provides future security. But, insuring future security means managing the portfolio…The goal of community economic portfolio management is to better manage public resources and increase the return on investment in economic development policy and programs by maximizing the future economic value of the business base.”
19. A competitive advantage Business Retention & Expansion