2008.01.22 EDA Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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BR & E • BR&E Visitation Program is do-able, and it a BR&E visit that the firm might be forced to close due gets results to a fire code problem. The BR&E Visitation program contacted the St.Paul Port Authority who worked with Citizens just like you and your neighbors have done this the firm and the fire department to develop a solution, program in all sizes and types of communities. saving 124 jobs. In reviewing the survey results,Task Excellent BR&E Visitation programs have been Force members in Harrisvi Ile,West Virginia, learned completed in rural,suburban,and urban areas and are that local firms were losing business and missing getting results. Naturally,it's more rewarding to work shipments because the road into town was poorly on projects that are both feasible and achieve results. marked. The Task Force worked with state government to correct the problem. • BR&E Visitation Program demonstrates that"we care about business" Help Firms Become More Competitive Just visiting firms demonstrates that your community Profits are essential for the retention and expansion of cares about its local businesses and appreciates their firms. For a firm to survive,it must make a profit—at economic contributions to the area. It's surprising how least over the long run. If your local firms can make many business leaders feel unappreciated and have not more profit in your community than in others,you been personally told that the community values them. won't have any trouble retaining them. Since profits increase with higher prices per unit and lower costs per • BR&E Visitation Program is low risk,but only if done unit,other things being equal,BR&E programs that correctly help firms reduce costs or increase values add to the firms'competitiveness. For example,when the Becker If you follow the guidelines in these manuals,the Otter Tail Dairy BR&E project in Minnesota found BR&E Visitation program is safe. As a local leader financing was a bottleneck for expansion of many local said,"How can you possibly lose?" dairy farmers,the Task Force set up a dairy financing conference,which attracted ninety local bankers. Already,over$3 million in new dairy facilities are in Benefits to Communities development. In Taylor County,West Virginia,the local BR&E Visitation Task Force found that workers • Improved Public Relations with Existing Firms lacked math skills,so they worked to establish a business and education partnership. This resulted in the Most BR&E Visitation programs send two community development of a new program,which provides math leaders to visit each firm;this results in improved training to workers. To give incentives to workers,a public relations with them. Research has shown that local greenhouse gave raises to workers who completed demonstrating a pro-business attitude was rated as one the math program. With their new math skills,workers of the greatest benefits of the program.' Many firm make fewer mistakes when they mix chemicals,which owners have said: "This is the first time anyone has saves the company money,and underscores concern for come to visit us and really listen to our opinion." environmental issues. • Help Firms Solve Problems De.elop Action-Based Strategic Plans for BR&E Visitation Often firms have concerns that require immediate attention. The BR&E Visitation approach outlined in Few communities can tackle all of the BR&E projects these booklets is an effective means of quickly that could benefit local firms. The BR&E Visitation addressing many of these concerns. For example,the process outlined here helps the Task Force use the data Portage County,Ohio,BR&E Visitation program to reach a consensus on high priority projects. A recent provided business incentive information to twenty-two study found that one hundred percent of the most of the sixty-nine firms visited in 1994. Four of these successful BR&E Visitation programs had written firms are planning investments of over$20 million and action-based strategic plans.' For example,the the addition of 117 jobs. Anaconda,Montana,BR&E Visitation program developed an action-based strategic plan,which In St.Paul,Minnesota,a firm owner mentioned during resulted in the following projects: 12 -- Is It for Our Community?