Mike Reding, President, MBR Training and Consulting, LLC

 Two major manufacturing companies closed their doors – 225 jobs lost  The large Industrial Park has 75 acres unused  No current demand for commercial development

 Many workers do not live in town  2-4 building permits per year over the last few years  Downtown is dead and not coming back

 14 building permits, so far  50+ lots are available right now  Population is up by people  1 st new subdivision in 10 years may be started in 2016

 Infrastructure – street, sewer, electricity, water etc. ◦ By the way, it’s very expensive  Apply for grants – planning and development  Annexation

 Jobs above production line level  Involvement by local businesses

 Small, rural ILEC  Losing land lines  Gaining Broadband lines  FTTH since 2007 ◦ 100M available for 2 years ◦ 72% 6m or lower

 Reducing staff  Looking for new revenue sources ◦ Security and automation ◦ IT and Network Support ◦ TV ◦ Business Systems

The Connection

 Chamber of Commerce  Business/Economic Development  Service organizations  Food bank

 Library  Swimming pool  Schools  Etc.

The Salesperson and the Tech

It’s about the people, not the technology