Business Retention, Expansion and Attraction Plan for
Business/Property Owners and Real Estate Developers/Investors
In 2005 the District worked Community Development Strategies (CDS) to produce a marketing and economic development strategy to grow our local economy. The plan will be updated in 2009 to reflect growth and changes over the past five years. While the plan provides valuable information and insight for a path moving forward it does not address retention and expansion of our current businesses. In recognition of the need to also serve our current businesses the Business and Economic Development Committee has worked with the North Houston Economic Development Corporation to develop a Business Retention and Expansion Plan. This plan incorporates the business recruitment strategy recommended by CDS and acknowledges the critical role that real estate developers now play in the health and well being of our economy.
Visit key businesses in the District with a minimum of three (3) visits per month to various locations as determined by the staff with input from the committee. Interviewers may also include committee or board members, volunteers and other community partners.
Work with area real estate developers to facilitate access to statistical information, the city permitting process, and possible financing sources that are or may become available (TIRZ, PID’s) and others at the Federal, State and Local level.
The team and staff will meet regularly with the Work Source, Lone Star College, Aldine ISD, and other community workforce partners to develop and/or enhance current programs in order to deliver, customized, bottom-line benefits to our business constituents.
Communicate post secondary education and training needs of the businesses indentified during the visits and relay that information to the schools and training centers personnel. Encourage development of the necessary programs and support developed programs, as appropriate.
Work with Small Business Development Centers in support and preparation of business plans, procurement methods, export training and assistance, general management consulting and business education programs. Work with the North Houston-Greens Point Chamber of Commerce to encourage businesses to become involved with one another, the Chamber and the District, by interacting and supporting each other.
Coordinate and participate in joint business meetings with the area Chambers of Commerce, GHP, North Houston EDC and other economic development agencies in the area. Work with them on joint marketing and PR opportunities to promote the Houston Region, and specifically North Houston, as an ideal place to conduct business.
Conduct semi-annual meetings with other economic development departments and agencies in the area to promote cooperation and collaboration where appropriate.
Support CVB in bringing tourism activities (and therefore new capital) into the area and work with CVB, the area Chambers and others to develop a promotional package that would feature local businesses.
Maintain on-line access to building sites, vacant land and areas suited for redevelopment. Utilize our in-house GIS capabilities to develop useful statistical information for our businesses, as needed. Staff of the District will also meet with developers/owners and brokers/agents on a regular basis, attend real estate expos, retail tradeshows and other venues, as appropriate.
Maintain database of community information and provide statistical information and presentations to our community partners for use in meetings and other venues to promote the District.
Insure that all levels of incentives available at the Federal, State and Local level are available at our website and include information in marketing packages to be developed.
Attachment A: Interview Guide – Business/Property Owners
Attachment B: Interview Guide – Real Estate Developers
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