1. Presented for the E.F. Task Force Kickoff Meeting Date:

2. What makes a community Entrepreneur Friendly? Pro-business culture with long-term strategies Supportive, attractive to entrepreneurs Strong networks and business planning resources Gov’t compliance is efficient, clearly explained Helps navigate local and area capital sources Markets to business prospects Promotes local business success stories and Business- Government communication Business resource information is organized, readily available

3. How will the EF Toolkit help? A local public-private Task Force will produce: A 7-step strategic plan called the “Entrepreneur Friendly Action Plan” (long-term goals and strategies) Short Term: A local Business Assistance Guide A Small Business Resource Fair (ideally an annual event) A local/area “Capital Matrix” A local 12-Month Business Start-Up Timeline A local business survey on challenges, opportunities A SWOT Analysis on the local business environment Local Demographic and Market Data for prospects

4. The Process: 1 Full Task Force with 3 Subcommittees work on 4 Concurrent Projects Month 1Month 2Month 3Month 4Month 5Month 6Month 7 7-Step EF Action Plan (all Task Force members) Local Business Survey (Subcommittee, ≥ 3 members) Local Business Assistance Guide (Subcommittee, ≥ 3 members) Local Business Resource Fair (Subcommittee, ≥ 3 members)

5. 7 “Steps”(topics) that the full Task Force will work/plan through

6. The Entrepreneur Friendly Action Plan Task Force meeting for each of the 7 online “Steps” Discussion/Activities facilitated by the Champion A blank “Strategic Plan Table” found at the end of each Step. Includes space for: Goal(s) for that topic Supportive Findings (justification for the goal) Objectives (measurable initiatives to meet the goal) Recommended Actions (specific tactics) Strategic Partners & Timeline Task Force will fill in a table(s) at the end of each step

7. Simplified Example of an EF Strategic Plan Table Goal #1: Revitalize Downtown Supportive Finding: Business/Shopping activity is down Objective: Make downtown more economically attractive for opening a business. Recommended Action: Establish a local façade grant program as a business incentive. Strategic Partners and Timeline: Mayor/City Council, Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Property Owners. 12 Months. Step 6: Marketing and Promotion

8. Strategic Plan Tables for the 7 on-line EF Steps combine to form… The Entrepreneur Friendly Action Plan (automatically generated report at the end of the online process)

9. Other Notes on the 7 Steps Task Force will not always have time to finish a Strategic Plan Table at the end of each meeting. Champion or designated scribe will spend time between mtgs filling in the Tables based on mtg notes. Strategic Plan Tables will likely not be finalized until the end. This is expected. Why? New supportive findings will be discovered throughout (including Local Biz Survey results). Goals and strategies will evolve. There are Strategic Plan Table samples for each step found in Resources. Use them.

10. Why a long-term strategic plan? It provides a roadmap for continued progress after the EF Toolkit process is complete It provides legitimacy & leverage for future initiatives Generated in a public-private fashion Compiles credible supportive findings, including a survey of local businesses Demonstrates legitimate justification in grant applications and other efforts (e.g., National Main Street program) Helps inform elected leadership

11. Local Business Survey Subcommittee (≥ 3 Members) First Subcommittee to start, first to finish Purpose: to gather local business feedback about the community as a place to start/run a business Task: create, administer, & present results to Task Force Good Fits: analytical thinkers, at least one solid writer Using online survey program is highly recommended (Constant Contact, Survey Monkey, etc.) Why? It automatically gathers and compiles results; allows easier distribution; saves time and money. Examples and Guidance available in Resources; help available from ACOG Survey data will provide important Supportive Findings for the EF Action Plan

12. Local Business Assistance Guide Subcommittee (≥ 3 members) Task: research, write, format, & publish a local assistance guide for prospective & existing businesses Good Fits: creative, good writers, good document formatters, good researchers Examples and guidance available in Resources Good Idea: launch the Guide at the Small Biz Resource Fair, which is the EF Task Force’s culminating event Role of the guide is to inform plus market the community Resources aligned during the 7 Steps provide great content (market data, networks, compliance, etc.) Mentality: “When the prospect walks in the door, this Guide will give them what they need.”

13. Local Business Resource Fair Subcommittee (≥ 3 members) Task: plan a local business support event Desired Outcomes: Biz Resource-Connecting & Education, B2B Networking, Local Biz Showcasing The culminating event of EF Task Force Good Fits: good event coordinators; energetic, detail- oriented, media/social media savvy; knowledge of local venues, logistics, & sponsors Good Idea: make it an annual event Guidance and flyer examples available in Resources

14. Conclusion Becoming Entrepreneur Friendly takes time and hard work (a committed leader and task force) This process will get the community’s ducks in a row for small biz development. The Task Force does not have to reinvent the wheel; there are templates/samples for every task. Use this as an opportunity to bolster the economic development foundation of the community. Make it last by continuing to meet, update information, host events, etc., in the years to come.