1. Economic Development for Villages
E. Rod Davisson, Esq., LEED-AP

2. Why Did You Run for Office?
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Why Did You Run for Office?
What is the Main thing you want to accomplish?

3. Economic Development Explained3
Economic Development Explained
What is Economic Development?
Definitions are inconsistent
More jobs
More income
More business
Community specific

4. Be A Champion Be a Champion for your town Know your story History
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Be A Champion
Be a Champion for your town
Know your story
History
Character
Aspirations
Be Relentless
Work
Promote
Communicate
Reputation + Relationships = Business

5. Develop a Strategy Plan for Success General Strategic Plan
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Develop a Strategy
Plan for Success
General Strategic Plan
A written, formalized program of work / business plan
Stand-alone E.D. Website
A written, formalized Business Retention and Expansion Program
Product and infrastructure strategies (short- and long-term)
speculative building program
Formalized local incentive policy
A written, formalized Small Business and Entrepreneur Program

6. Economic Development 6
Develop Your People
No one will come if there are no qualified available employees
Preparation Partners
High Schools
Trade Schools
Colleges/Universities
Public Private Partnerships
Obetzjobs.com example

7. Know your Brutal Reality
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Know your Brutal Reality
Good plans start with realistic and targeted introspection
Know who you are
Know what you want to be
Don’t chase pipe dreams…evolve smartly
Make your plan attainable
What is your brutal reality?

8. Embrace the Envy We are the same (kind of) Same powers Same people
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Embrace the Envy
We are the same (kind of)
Same powers
Same people
Same opportunities
Same dreams
Different execution
Steal liberally

9. Make Development a Priority
Economic Development 9
Make Development a Priority
Development is Critical to Dreaming
What do you want to do?
How much will it cost?
What are your sources of income?
How can you increase income?
How can you decrease expenses?
Focus on Development
Don’t be pennywise and Pound Foolish

10. Understand your Toolbox
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Understand your Toolbox
Incentives for Attraction
State
JobsOhio
Six Partners
Find Yours
County
Search your county

11. Local Incentives Toolbox
Economic Development
Local Incentives Toolbox
CRA Community Reinvestment Area. Allows you to abate property taxes. Pre 1994 and Post-1994 have different rules.
TIFF Tax Increment Financing. Allows you to capture other governments’ tax money to build new infrastructure like roads.
Land Acquisition Helping companies to get land for locating. Do you have a Community Improvement Corporation? If no, why not?
Income Tax Incentives Programs to lessen or eliminate the Company’s corporate tax liability. Typically measured by withholdings.
Utilities/Infrastructure Do you have utilities? The Constitution of Ohio allows you to develop them. Do you have broadband? Do you have a plan to get it?

12. Build Inviting Infrastructure
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Build Inviting Infrastructure
Why does anyone want to come to you?
Is your downtown nice?
Are your roads passable?
Do you have a location advantage?
Do you have a benefactor?
Can you shop in town?
Do you have recreation?

13. Develop Relationships
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Develop Relationships
What is your status with…
State
County
Port Authority
Township
School District
Neighboring Cities or Villages
You need them!

14. Anytime, Anywhere Easy ways to lose the competition…
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Anytime, Anywhere
Easy ways to lose the competition…
Fight in Front of the Kids
Showboat
Ring Kissing Exercises
Refuse to Work
No message discipline

15. Have Processes that Win
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Have Processes that Win
Evaluate your Processes
How long does it take to get zoning clearance?
What are your fee structures?
How long for a building permit?
How long for an inspection?
Impact fees?
Return phone calls?
How fast are your partners?

16. BRE—Business Retention and Expansion
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BRE—Business Retention and Expansion
Overwhelmingly, new growth comes from within.
What are you doing to keep them?
Regular Meetings
Formalized Programs
Business Liaisons

17. Where to Go For Help Training and Information Available at:
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Where to Go For Help
Training and Information Available at:
Ohio Municipal League
JobsOhio
Your County Government
International Economic Development Council
Local Development Agencies (Mid-Ohio Development Exchange)
Other Municipalities
E. Rod Davisson, Esq.