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How are we doing?
2014 Strategic Plan Mid-Year Update
It’s been 6 months since we unveiled the GREDF Strategic Plan. The plan is a guide for the Board of Directors, staff, committees and stakeholders and serves as a blueprint for Board policy decisions, guiding the organization’s investment in economic development initiatives, programs and projects. The plan also provides direction by anticipating and responding to changes in the local and national economy.
At last week’s quarterly board meeting, GREDF staff gave a mid-year progress report of the organization’s activities and goals as they relate to the Strategic Plan. We’d like to take this opportunity to share portions of that report with you, our stakeholders.
Here’s our six goals and a quick overview of the progress we’re making:
1. Business Retention & Expansion (BRE)
Goal: Conduct one official retention visit per week and record the data in BRE software so that we may track and respond to opportunities and threats.
Progress: To date, we have conducted 32 BRE visits (61% of our annual goal) and assisted a number of companies with site-selection, workforce issues and referrals to our partner organizations.
2. Workforce Development
Goal: Facilitate a coordinated workforce initiative to align activities of Adams County area organizations, and coordinate projects that directly connect local businesses with educators to help grow a well-educated and informed future workforce.
Progress: To date we have hosted a high school and community college counselors academy and participated in over two dozen workforce steering committee meetings and meetings of the career guidance, work readiness and succession planning teams.
3. Business Attraction
Goal: Promote the Quincy/Adams County region to national and regional site consultants and individual companies who may have an interest in relocating or expanding.
Progress: To date, we have met one-on-one with 26 consultants and communicated electronically with 68 national consultants on a monthly basis. We have responded to four Request for Proposals from companies looking to grow or expand their manufacturing, warehousing, call center and office operations.
4. Marketing/Branding
Goal: Design and implement a program to market, promote and brand the Quincy/Adams County region.
Progress: To date, 47 companies have asked for our Community Branding Request for Proposal (RFP). The RFP was developed by a steering committee of community partners spearheaded by GREDF and is the first step in creating a new brand for the region. We have also developed three targeted site selection marketing packets for potential businesses/investors.
5. Entrepreneurship Development
Goal: Nurture and encourage entrepreneurship in the Quincy/Adams County region by making information and assistance more readily accessible.
Progress: To date, our Entrepreneurship Specialist Charles Bell has met one-on-one with prospective and new business owners conducting: 19 start-up/financing meetings, 2 business acquisition meetings, 10 business expansion meetings and 3 business meetings to identify new markets.
6. Membership
Goal: Maintain and increase GREDF’s private membership investment by developing a clear rationale for support, restructuring member investment levels and defining management of the membership program.
Progress: Staff has developed the new Investor Program and recommended investment calculator. We have met one-on-one with over a dozen current members and sent an electronic survey to all our members to assess the perception of GREDF and explore opportunities to increase investment levels. To date, four companies have committed to the highest level of investment – the $10,000 Chairman’s Club. The new program has been well received and a number of other companies have increased their levels of giving.
We invite you to view our 2014 Strategic Plan and the 2014 Annual Work Plan Mid-Year Report in its entirety (some information, including business names, specific assistance and project details, has been removed to maintain confidentiality).
We want to hear from you! Comment below or tell us how you think we are doing by emailing gredf@gredf.org or calling 217.223.4313. And please contact us today if we can assist you or your business.