...To promote, encourage and enhance the creation of jobs and expansion of the local tax base through projects which assist in the retention and expansion of existing primary employers and which attract new primary employers and aid their development and growth.
Development Goals
- To increase the number of jobs available for citizens
- To maintain and expand the tax base
- To strengthen and diversify the primary industrial and service sectors of the local economy
Action Areas
I.
Existing Primary Employer Retention and Expansion
Objective: Provide assistance to existing primary employers to create new jobs, retain existing jobs and increase capital investment.
This objective encourages growth from within. Nationally, employment surveys show the majority of new jobs created by industry come from expansion of existing firms.
Strategy A. Provide Manufacturing Assistance Services
Task 1. Identify and document state and local resources
Task 2. Provide information on and facilitate access to the following:
- Financial Programs
- Financial Packaging
- Job Training
- Tax Incentives
- Government Contracting
- Export Assistance
- International Trade
- Technical Assistance
- Permit & License information
- Other general information
Task 3. Employ the services of the Center for Entrepreneur and Economic Development (CEED) and other services from the local college to provide, among other things, assistance for:
- Modernization
- Product diversification and development
- Building competitive advantage
- High technology development
- High technology training
- Marketing development
Strategy B. Maintain Communication Link with Existing Primary Employers
Task 1. Support the Chamber of Commerce and Industrial/Business related committees.
Task 2. Continue regular meetings with representatives of primary employers to identify discuss and address common issues such as: shared resources, education and training needs, recruiting technical skills, cost of business items like health care, workers compensation and taxes.
Task 3. Visit existing primary employers to assess needs, express appreciation and give information on services of the CADC.
Strategy C Match Local Products and Services
Task 1. Complete a directory of suppliers and make it available on the Web page.
Task 2. Maintain primary employer directory and make it available on the Web page.
Strategy D Support a Primary Employer Recognition Program
Task 1. Host employer appreciation meeting
Strategy E. Provide Financial Incentives for Development
Task 1. Provide and or support incentives as follows:
- Tax abatements for expansions with capital improvements and job creation
- Financing for off site improvements, i.e., water, sewer and drainage.
- Purse other incentives from the city of Alton if available
II.
Primary Employer Attraction and External Marketing
Objective: Create New Permanent Jobs and Increase Tax Base Through Primary Employer Attraction.
Strategy A. Operate an Economic Development Incentive Program
Task 1. Continue with local tax abatement program
Task2. Access the Texas Department of Economic Development, the Small Business Development Center, or local financial institutions for support.
Task 3. Identify and maintain information or sources of capital
Task 4. Act as liaison to state and federal financing and incentive programs.
Task 5. Assist with financial packaging
Strategy B. Continue with One Stop Shop for Business Assistance
Task 1. Act as facilitator for local permitting
Task 2. Provide information on state program and regulations
Strategy C. Develop Target Geographical Areas and Target Industries List
Task 1. Maintain and update list of industries using current regional and State studies.
Task 2. Develop relations with architects, engineers and real estate developers responsible for new projects.
Task 3. Determine new methods of acquiring targeted company names.
Strategy D. Develop a Long Term Primary Employer Site Strategy
Task 1. Review and evaluate all existing sites.
Task 2. Maintain database of current information on all sites
Task 3. Prepare sites for marketing
Strategy E. Have Trained Recruitment Team
Task 1. Provide training to recruitment team in the form of workshops, seminars and conferences.
Task 2. Use trained team as volunteers for prospect presentations
Strategy F. Market the Local Community
Task 1. Update marketing materials
Task 2. Network with and provide pertinent information to state and regional developments allies to generate prospects.
Task 3. Respond to prospect request and conduct prospect visitations.
Task 4. Implement marketing plan
III.
Primary Employer Diversification and Development
Objective: Create New Permanent Jobs and New Investment Through Development of the Primary Employer Manufacturing and Service Sectors of the Economy.
Strategy A. Provide Assistance to new primary employers
Task 1. Develop a directory of small business services, listing type of assistance and contact information
Strategy B. Provide Financial Incentives for New Primary Employers
Task 1. Identify sources of capital
Task 2. Provide financial incentives for firms with the potential for substantial job growth.
Task 3. Work with local, state and regional development agencies to package financing and provide incentives.
Task 4. Administer tax abatement for new companies
IV.
Administration And Internal Marketing
Objective: Ensure the Effective Operation of the Economic Development Office and Educate the Public About Economic Development Issues. Keeping Local Citizens, Businesses Industries and Volunteer Associations Informed About Economic Development Initiatives.
Strategy A. Coordinate and Manage the Operations of the CADC as it Continues to Expand and Improve Services in Support of the Economic Development of the City.
Task 1. Review the Economic Development Plan of the City twice each year and make recommendations to CADC for programs and services.
Task 2. Manage and coordinate implementation of the plan as directed by the CADC Board
Task 3. Coordinate with the economic development programs and services of the City
Strategy B. Maintain Coalitions with Local and Regional Economic Development Providers to Further Ongoing Cooperative Efforts.
Task 1. Meet regularly with the Chamber of Commerce, County officials and representatives of the ISD and College to ensure communication and coordination of programs and services.
Task 2. Network with regional and state development organizations
Strategy C. Provide Information to Public and Business Community about Economic Development Activities.
Task 1. Provide media releases on activities and accomplishment
Task 2. Sponsor the city newsletter
Task 3. Respond to request for information and presentations on activities.
Task 4. Sponsor the city Web-Site
