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Our PRIORITIES & INITIATIVES have been developed to bring the county closer to our Vision of the Future.
Priority I - Build Active Partnerships with Stakeholders
In order to be successful in economic development, we must take advantage of community resources. Working together, we learn from each other and ultimately, we all accomplish more. This priority is built on a foundation of trust and respect, and on a recognition that we must continually look for ways to expand our knowledge about the resources available to support economic and community development.
Activities:
Community Economic Development Team Training Program, with an emphasis on prospect handling, business retention, and community resources Community Economic Development Team Manual Community Leader Orientation Template for GCDC Stakeholders GCDC Annual Meeting and Recognition Dinner to recognize outstanding community achievements in community and economic development Community Development Finance Seminar for community and government leaders to summarize government grant and loan programs available to local units of government Annual mid-year investor reports for each member community Provide technical economic development expertise GCDC newsletter Green County School-to-Work Consortium support Green County web site and database
Priority II - Develop a Diverse Future Business Base Through Carefully Targeted Marketing
This priority encompasses recruitment of new business and supporting entrepreneurial endeavors in order to move the county toward our vision of a "Flexible, Fully-Utilized, Well-Paid Workforce" and "Diverse Evolving Businesses". An essential element of this priority is community pride and positive support for future development.
Activities:
Monitor new business and job creation in County Niche Industry Study Groups to become "experts" on attracting specific niche industries Develop an advertising and PR plan Starting/Growing a Small Business package Business Finance Seminar for financial institutions to improve access to government financing Partner with Alliant Energy and Forward Wisconsin to attend trade shows Study existing Green County businesses to identify companies most likely to grow and which compliment the existing business base. Demographic profiles on the county workforce, population characteristics, and other economic factors Inventory of sites and buildings available for industrial development Meet with entrepreneurs interested in locating in Green County to facilitate their ability to access resources available to start-up and growing small businesses.
Priority III - Assist Existing Large and Small Businesses
Studies continue to support the fact that over 80% of the new jobs are created by existing business. In addition, the satisfaction of existing business is directly related to an area's ability to attract new business. This priority seeks to provide a business climate in which businesses can thrive and grow.
Activities:
Annual Business Achievement Awards during annual GCDC meeting Business Retention Program - survey & interviews Develop an inventory of "Best Practices" for employee retention - based on retention visit Countywide information/referral center for business and community assistance Market job matching program-GreatJobsWI Provide leadership support to the Green County HR group.
Priority IV - Act as a Catalyst to Create Awareness and Resolution of Issues Affecting the
County's Economic Future
Successful economic development is affected by many issues - land use, housing, crime, transportation, tourism, workforce, education, etc. It is important that the issues be addressed in a proactive manner and resolved in a timely fashion.
Activities:
Host a meeting with representatives of the Wisconsin Dept. of Transportation and other the Transportation Planner form the Regional Planning Commission to discuss Green County transportation issues. Work with Green County Housing Partnership to update the county rental housing inventory. Work with Green County Housing Partnership and MSA consultants to administer a Community Development Block grant to housing rehab. Host a joint meeting of the GCDC and the Green County Planning Committee to discuss the status of countywide land use policies. Provide leadership to conduct an Economic Impact Study of the Healthcare Industry. Work with UW Extension to organize and hold a County Leadership School.
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