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Positive Influence on Industry Attraction <br /> Local businesses can also be the community's best salesforce.It's much easier to attract new businesses <br /> if a city can demonstrate that existing companies are successful, expanding, and feel positive about <br /> being located in that community.In addition,when a prospect hears from existing businesses that local <br /> conditions are favorable and that the local government supports its industry, half the attraction battle <br /> is won. <br /> "Industry will go where it is wanted and stay where it is well treated,market conditions permitting."' <br /> Interdependence of Local Businesses <br /> No business is an island. The web of businesses in a community is like a living organism in that the <br /> success or difficulty of one company can have strong affects on another. <br /> A commodities company in a town of 700 provides a good example of how interdependent many <br /> businesses are. The company is a market for numerous specialty crops from Midwestern farmers. It <br /> buys milo,millet,sunflowers,safflowers,oats and corn from farmers and through local elevators.The <br /> company also rents 4,000 square feet of storage warehouse space from a local seed company. Its <br /> success and growth have brought economic opportunities to the area and helped area businesses <br /> succeed as well. <br /> Keep in mind it's important to be concerned with all the businesses in your community and their <br /> linkages. <br /> Consistent Philosophy Toward Businesses <br /> The retention of existing businesses and the recruitment of new ones need to be handled consistently. <br /> Clear policies on incentives should be developed and adhered to. Local businesses may feel slighted <br /> if prospects are offered incentives not available to them. They should be offered equal, if not better, <br /> development incentives. Having your policies documented prevents any such criticism, and also <br /> prevents you from the temptation to give away too much in the heat of negotiations with a prospect. <br /> For all these reasons, a consistent and organized BRE program is very important to the health of the <br /> local economy. <br /> 1 Miles K Luke,'Now to Implement Local Industry Development and Retention,'Economic Development Review,Winter, 1991, <br /> Vol.9,No. 1,p 16.) <br /> • <br /> 3 <br />