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�rac�ng a new company to a community has long been a staple of economic development efforts . Nothing looks quite as good in the paper as lines of public officials in hard hats holding shovels or bright red ribbons being cut by ridiculously large scissors . When a new firm chooses your town , it ’ s big news . Their decision to locate in your community validates your efforts and affirms your community ’ s strengths . But what happens 3 , 5 or 10 years down the road ? Those companies s�ll need the community ’ s support and assistance . That is why a great economic development program must include a reten�on and expansion component .
The official sta�s�c varies , but the best es�mate is that 70 – 80 % of new jobs come from exis�ng businesses . Small , medium and large businesses all play a role in a healthy economy and a healthy job market . By suppor�ng local businesses through a reten�on program , communi�es can help companies keep or increase jobs , preserve or increase the tax base , increase local property tax values , enhance the community ’ s image and maintain or diversify the economic base . A successful reten�on program is also a great a�rac�on tool , as companies looking to locate want to know that they will be assisted in the years following an announcement . Many communi�es have a business reten�on program in some form or fashion , and Athens‐ Clarke Economic Development Department is happy to say that we operate a great program as well . Our program is three‐fold and will be opera�ng in full force by year end .
Since the department ’ s incep�on in 2013 , partnerships with exis�ng industries have been paramount . The first Industry Apprecia�on Dinner was held in the spring of 2014 and has grown and expanded each year since . This event exists to recognize our local manufacturers for their contribu�ons to the community through increased employment , con�nued investment and charitable contribu�ons . Each year this event brings together business and community leaders to have a though�ul conversa�on on the state of industry in our town . The Manufacturer of the Year is awarded as well as Community Commitment Awards to those companies who have reached a milestone anniversary . It ’ s a small way of saying a big thanks to the men and women who con�nue to support and grow our local economy .
In January of this year , the Economic Development Department rolled out the second phase of their Business Reten�on + Expansion effort through the One‐to‐One Resource Pairing program . Representa�ves from our local and
state departments of economic development visit face‐to‐face with the management team of employers across the county to discuss any opportuni�es or challenges they are facing in the coming year and connect them to programs and resources to assist in those efforts . We recognize that our employers are in the business of doing business and that our exis�ng industry team should make their jobs a li�le easier by being on hand to navigate the programs and services in our community and our state . So far the exis�ng industry team has visited 8 companies and several University research centers to gather informa�on , assess community strengths and offer assistance on programs , available incen�ves , expansion efforts and workforce development .
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Introducing ACC ’ s Business
Retention + Expansion Program Version 2.0
One‐to‐One | Resource Pairing
BusinessWalks
By Amy Lopp
The third component of the Business Reten�on + Expansion program will address issues facing all businesses , large and small , in specific geographic areas around town . Our Business Walks program is modeled a�er other successful programs in Ohio and Wisconsin and will bring together staff and elected officials to survey businesses and garner valuable feedback on the state of business in micro‐regions across the county . The first Business Walk will take place on por�ons of Lexington Road later this year .
As in any rela�onship , it ’ s important to keep the lines of communica�on open . We hope that our efforts to engage with our local employers through our Business Reten�on + Expansion program will encourage more growth and more opportunity for the folks that call Athens home . If you have any ques�ons about the Business Reten�on and Expansion program through ACC Economic Development , please reach out to Amy Lopp at amy . lopp @ athensclarkecounty . com for more informa�on .
Our exis�ng industry team ( Amy Lopp , Tina Herring ) with Chris Herron of Creature Comforts Brewing following CCBC ' s win for State of Georgia Small
Business Rockstar
6 6 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT www . AthensBusiness . org 706-613-3233