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businesses so that when it becomes time to expand they look inward at opportunity in <br /> Oakdale, as apposed to opportunities elsewhere. By conducting these visits Oakdale has <br /> found that a number of business where simply unaware of the opportunities for growth <br /> that was present in their community, as well as some of the financial assistance tools the <br /> City had to offer. <br /> Business Retention Visits are an essential tool for the Hugo EDA to utilize, made <br /> particularly important by their dual nature. With the reformation of the EDA, and its <br /> intended goal of creating business development and growth in the City of Hugo, has <br /> come trepidation from the local business community and the fear that they will be <br /> forgotten or wiped out. Business retention visits will go along way to relieving this fear <br /> by allowing the local business community to be heard, but more importantly to know that <br /> they come first. The goal of the EDA is to see growth in business in Hugo, this does not <br /> simply mean new business growth, but more importantly the growth of business already <br /> located in the City. Business retention visits have a dual nature because not only do they <br /> seek to create awareness of growth opportunity in Hugo, but they do it by putting existing <br /> business owners first. <br /> Economic Development Newsletters <br /> Cities can very successfully advertise business growth opportunities through the <br /> use of newsletters. These newsletters can be distributed not only to existing community <br /> members, but to people outside the community as well. By utilizing existing mailing lists <br /> from the community itself and neighboring Business Associations and Chambers of <br /> Commerce, Cities are more equipped to advertise the opportunities available in their <br /> communities. <br />