Business Retention and Expansion An Economic Development Strategy to Work With Your Existing Businesses

NDSU Extension Service April 21, l998 What Is a BR&E Program? Technical training Management seminars Identify local sources of inputs Improve labor/management relations Reduce cost and improve quality of local services Improve school/work relationships Retaining youth in the community BR&E includes all efforts to encourage the retention and growth of a community’s existing businesses Kathleen Tweeten, 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

NDSU Extension Service April 21, l998 Why Implement a BR&E Visitation Program? Communities can’t do it all Identifies a planning process for setting priorities for other BR&E programs Prioritizes existing firm-related projects subject to the following types of criteria: The types of firms in the community The pressures they face Other local factors Kathleen Tweeten, 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

NDSU Extension Service April 21, l998 What is a BR&E Visitation Program? “…is an action-oriented process for learning about the concerns of local businesses and setting priorities for BR&E projects to address these needs.” By George Morse, UMN Kathleen Tweeten, 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

NDSU Extension Service April 21, l998 BR&E Visitation Programs Are Good Community Development Tools Locally Based Program The community plans and organizes the program Volunteers visit the firms The program builds linkages and networks People learn more about the economy of their community Follow-Up is Planned BR&E Programs plan for something to happen The program responds to the needs identified in the survey Implementation of projects or local initiatives Kathleen Tweeten, 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

This type of activity can move the local development office up the innovation pyramid Knowledge Information Data Source: Steve Deller, University of Wisconsin. NACDEP presentation, 2010.

Objectives of the BR&E Visitation Program Demonstrate to local businesses that the community appreciates their contribution to the economy Help existing businesses solve problems Assist businesses in using programs aimed at helping them become more competitive Develop strategic plans for long-range BR&E activities Build community capacity to sustain growth and development

NDSU Extension Service April 21, l998 From BR&E Visits to Jobs Pro-business Attitude/Appreciation New Jobs & Income BR&E Programs on: New Technology New Skills New Products New Markets Taxes Public Services Infrastructure BR&E Visits Profits Quality of Life Kathleen Tweeten, 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

NDSU Extension Service BR&E Visitation Process April 21, l998 There are Four Stages Stage 1: Firm Visits Stage 2: Immediate Follow-up Stage 3: Data Analysis and Recommendations Stage 4: Implementation Immediate Follow-up Firm Visits Data Analysis Implementation Essentially there are four models being used to do BRE Visitation programs. (describe models here in some detail but also explain that the models that we focus on in this certification program are the developer and volunteer led visitation programs because they involve a broad base of people. We’ll explain why we feel that is important as we go through the program. Kathleen Tweeten, 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

NDSU Extension Service April 21, l998 BR&E Visitation Process Firm Visits Stage 1: Firm Visits Organize Local Task Force Recruit Firm Visitors Train Firm Visitors Visit Firms Immediate Follow-up Let’s briefly review the volunteer and developer led visitation models Data Analysis Implementation Kathleen Tweeten, 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

NDSU Extension Service April 21, l998 BR&E Visitation Process Immediate Follow-up Firm Visits Data Analysis Implementation Stage 2: Immediate Follow-Up Review surveys Assist Firms BREI Kathleen Tweeten, 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

NDSU Extension Service April 21, l998 BR&E Visitation Process Immediate Follow-up Firm Visits Data Analysis Implementation Stage 3: Data Analysis and Recommendations Computerize survey results Analyze data Suggest issues for action Adopt projects to implement Review outside sources of assistance BREI Kathleen Tweeten, 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

NDSU Extension Service April 21, l998 BR&E Visitation Process Immediate Follow-up Firm Visits Data Analysis Implementation Stage 4: Commencement Meeting and Implementation Share results at community meeting Implement projects BREI Kathleen Tweeten, 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

NDSU Extension Service April 21, l998 Who’s Involved in a Visitation Program? LOCAL PLAYERS Overall Champion Task Force -Leadership Team Firm Visitors Firms RESOURCES BREI – BREP Universities Utilities State or Regional Economic Development Other Overall champion – you, local developer, volunteer – whoever is willing to take the overall responsibility to chair the program. The leadership team is four to five individuals within the task force that are responsible for major components of the program such as organizing and tracking the firm visits, facilitating the strategic planning process and organizing the community input, dealing with the media and organizing the red flag follow-up. The task force is made up of 12 to 24 people who have the knowledge and or power to address red flag issues, draft and implement a strategic plan for the business community. Firm visitors and the firms. Other resources that you can pull from…… Others may be packaged software programs like Eric Canada’s E-Synchronist BREI Kathleen Tweeten, 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

NDSU Extension Service April 21, l998 Factors Influencing the Degree of Program Success Adoption of strategic planning methods/process Listing of the individuals who will take responsibility Length of time between report completion and project implementation/completion Participation Have an adequate budget – at least $10,000 Presence of full-time professionals in community BREI Kathleen Tweeten, 514 E Thayer Ave, Bismarck, ND 58501

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