airmont Economic Development Authority20112012 Strategic Plan - PDF document

1 1 airmont Economic Development Authori
1 airmont Economic Development Authority20112012 Strategic Plan : Work to attract targeted industriesRenewable fuels business and technologyAg research facilitiesValue 2 Continue to update demographic and sales tax information pporting Fairmont as a regional retail centerInsure adequate infrastructure improvements are madeto support all business attractionPartner with other communities in the area to create a larger regional communityWork on educating citizens and community leaders that industry recruitment in neighboring communities help one anotherand the region thriveShare and improve government services, activities and financing to assist in business/industry attractionPromote regional community amenities as a reason to locate in the areaContinue regional, state and national marketingRetention/ExpansionHelp existing area companies understand the locational advantages of being in the Fairmont area, and what city, county and community leaders are doing to create a positive business climate. Objectives : Insure a good business visitation program exists to help communication between government and businessCreate a business needs surveyWork with Chamber of Commerce both locally an

2 d at the State level to make business co
d at the State level to make business contactsCreate a business to business network to improve business collaborationImprove business support mechanismsIdentify job training activitiesImprove area wide fiber optic accessIdentify and inventory financial assistance available from all sourceIdentify, inventory and provide high quality business and small business technical supportDevelop workshops and educational opportunities on business succession planning 3 III.HousingKeep qualityhousing of all types available in the Fairmont area Objectives : Support additional development and redevelopment of quality rental housingEliminate blight when possibleWork with developers to identify financial tools to help build newrental housingContinue to have City funding to assist withredevelopmentInsure City policies are userfriendly and proactive for housing developmentContinue to provide creative public/private financing for subdivision plattingand developmentInsure adequate infrastructure exists to support new developmentHelp to establish public amenities in support of housing develop, i.e. bike/walk trails, parks, lake access, etc. IV.Site DevelopmentCreate public/private partnerships where possi

3 ble to develop new cost effective ways t
ble to develop new cost effective ways to grow Fairmont using the latest technology and trends. Objectives : Continue to support the airport as a major business amenity for the community.Maintain the airport in good conditionProvide FEDA Board support for the importance of a qualityairport now and into the futureevelop plans and estimatedcosts for the creation of a businesspark out by the airportdentify land area for future business expansionDevelop and maintain an inventory of available land andbuildingsLook at infrastructure availability as it relates to developableproperty3. Continue discussions on Day Farm potential4. Continue to prepare properties for the “Shovel Ready” program FinancingInsure Fairmont has the financial resources necessary to be competitive for all economic development projects. Objectives : Promote the concept and develop the policies for a small venture capital angle investmenttype fundWork with area lending institutions on interest in such a concept 4 Use State DEED resources to develop policiesCreate a study committee for the project Continue to have City financing opportunities available for all types of business lendingMaintain existing rev

4 olving loan fundContinue to offer TIF wh
olving loan fundContinue to offer TIF when appropriateApply for additional State funding when availableWork with SBDC and IGNITE on helping businesses be awareof what’s available VI. Work Force Development:Be proactive in developing a work force for 5ars down the road. Objectives : Help to insure life long learning and training exist in FairmontContinue to support SMECWork with DEED on training and retraining activitiesSurvey area businesses on what job skill sets areneeded in the areaSupport programs like ACE and internshipsBe supportive of area work force needsDay careInventory available jobs and attempt to connect people’s skillsets to a particular jobPromote agricultural education at the High School and postsecondary level in Fairmontentify and make available workshops that highlight high tech job skillsCreate a network of individuals and businesses to help attract and place new and existing talent in area jobsWork through the Chamber, Work Force center and businesses to find employment for spouses of incomingemployeesCreate a committee of volunteers to provide tours and information to potential new employees to the areaCreate an inventory of all available jobs in the area