Agenda Package - 02-11-11 Retreat

Home Browse Search

What We Do I Chatham EDC Page 2 of 2 [l OJ GiiX G5IXW NCEDA? What We Do ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT The Chatham County EDC works across the county with local government and partner organizations to provide business assistance that improves the economic well -being and quality of life for Chatham County by creating and retaining good jobs that facilitate growth and provides stable tax base. Successful econo development strategy includes three components: attra retention and entreoreneurshi I business Oeveloome Together, these components form a comprehensive approach to economic development to meet Chatham County's needs, including diversifying workforce opportunities, supporting the county's tax base, and improving quality of life for all of Chatham County's residents. The EDC dedicates extensive time and resources to developing active programs for each of these components; while the EDC staff works cooperatively to meet the needs of every Chatham County business, a dedicated staff member for each program can provide specialized attention for clients with specific business development needs. ATTRACTION BusinesgrohLractipn efforts target established businesses located outside of Chatham County and encourage them to move into the local community, where they can create new jobs for local citizens and increase the local tax base. Dianne Reid, EDC President, spearheads the business attraction program; Reid works with city, county, and state officials to showcase Chatham County as the ideal location for growing businesses that are looking to locate in North Carolina. Reid's greatest success during her short tenure was to help recruit Uniboard USA LL C , a wood products manufacturer that will create over 100 jobs and invest $142 million in Measure, Nbrking with a nationally acclaimed commercial property natter, Reid • is working proactively to attract emerging growth companies from seven target industry dusters to the Central Carolina Business Campus. In addition, Reid is currently working with the To of Siler Ci ty and UNC's Center for Cgmpe(i(ive Eco nomies on a Golden LEAF Fou - funded project to create local incentive policies that will help Slier City recruit companies that can fully utilize the local workforce. For more information about the EDC's attraction program, please contact Dianne Reid at (919) 542 -8275 or dreid hatherna RETENTION Bu naps reten[on efforts focus on keeping and expanding local businesses within Chatham County, in order to maintain existing jobs and encourage Chatham County businesses to create new jobs for local residents. Jennifer Nelson, the Business Development Coordinator, oversees the EDC's retention program; Nelson works with local and state partners to operate an annual visitation program for Chatham County's established industries. In addition, Nelson and EDC staff can assist business owners by locating business expansion financng, finding the ideal site or building for expanding operations, facilitating the pemiitting process with local government officals, navigating local incentive policies for existing businesses, and providing up to dale market research to plan for future expansion. For more information about the EDC's retention program, please contact Jennifer Nelson at (919) 545 -8380 or inelson ath .org. EN BUSINESS DEVE Small businesses are a primary source of job creation In most economies small businesses and entrepreneurs stimulate job creation, develop crucial innovations in products and production processes, and promote the diversification of the economic base. The EDC fully recognizes the important role that Chatham County's entrepreneurs and small business owners play in the local economy. Mari Howe, the Research and Innovation Manager, regularly works with entrepreneurs and small business owners to get their start-ups and fiedal inn businesses up and running. With a network of local service providers, Howe helps small businesses locate the resources they need IS, make their business a reality, including start up training, financing sources, and technical and marketing assistance. Howe is also creating a comprehensive online directory of business resources that will position the EDC as the one stop center for starting a business in Chatham County. For more information about the EDC's entrepreneur and small business development program, please contact Mari Howe at (919) 542 -8277 or mhoweraDchatha ora • http: / /www.cliathamede.oi-g /who -we- are /what -we -do 2/17/2010