SCDA Strategic Business Plan for 2013-2017

Committee Responsibilities

I. New Attraction & Recruitment – Utilize an array of proactive steps to attract and recruit new business and industry to Toccoa-Stephens County $40,000

1. Interview 25 existing companies for leads from targeted industry sectors/clusters

2. Leverage Manufacturer’s Council for prospect leads

3. Monitor 3-5 industry and service sectors (NAICS) to target (plastics, metal, furniture, warehousing, data processing)

4. Compile lists of companies in targeted sectors/clusters

5. Visit offices of Georgia Allies (GDEcD, GPC, GEMC, MEAG, NSRR, CSX, AGL Resources, Georgia COC, Atlanta COC, NGTC, TCSG, GMA, ACCG) for leads from targeted industry sectors/clusters

6. Host 15 statewide project managers

7. Call on 10 Site Consultants for leads from targeted industry sectors/clusters

8. Attend 6 GEDA events

9. Attend 1 ICSC Trade show

10. Attend 1 Trade show with Georgia Allies for one of our targeted industry sectors

11. Visit GRC with Tri-County JDA

12. Visit GRC with local leadership

13. Visit/Cold Call 5 selected companies

14. Ensure that available sites and buildings are listed on website and with allies

15. List targeted industry incentives on the website

16. Maintain 10 manufacturing suspects and 5 retail suspects at all times

17. Create First Impression Packets

18. Attract accommodations i.e. franchise hotel

19. Research the reasons why projects chose not to locate in T-SC

II. Existing Retention & Expansion – Maintain an aggressive posture to assist existing industries and local economic engines to solidify and expand their local operations $30,000

1. Conduct 25 personal visits with existing industry

2. Hire industry coordinator to work with existing industry

3. Visit 5 out of town corporate headquarters (American Woodmark, Winchester, VA; Applegate Insulation, Webberville, MI; Caterpillar, Peoria, IL; Coats & Clark, Charlotte, NC; Dewtex, England; Eaton, Cleveland, OH; Frutarom South, North Bergen, NJ; G-M Wood Products, Newaygo, MI; Hanson Aggregates, Irving, TX; ITR (Gem Industries), Yonkers, NY; Lanier Clothes, Atlanta, GA; Sage Automotive Interiors, Greenville, SC; Patterson Pump, Mansfield, OH; Scrap Masters, Manchester, MI; Standard Register, Dayton, OH; Trachte, Oregon, WI)

4. Assess Manufacturer’s Council needs for seminars/workshops (via GTEII, etc.)

5. Assess Human Resource Council’s needs for seminars/workshops (via SHRM, SBDC, etc.)

6. Conduct seminars/workshops (exporting, financial grants, incentives, etc.) under jurisdiction of SCDA/JDA as appropriate, but at least three per year.

7. Conduct 1 industry appreciation event annually

8. Continue Business Spotlight Luncheons (4) with T-SC Chamber of Commerce

9. Sponsor industry team at annual T-SC Chamber tourney

III. Product Development – Ensure adequate infrastructure and utility services (highway, water, waste water, natural gas, telcon, etc.) are available to meet the needs of a growing community and secure adequate sites for desired business and industry growth and to prepare tomorrow’s work force today and support innovative initiatives to develop needed skills $11,600

1. Assess current status and future needs for public infrastructure and utility services

2. Prepare engineering RFP for TSCIIP

3. Secure funding for Toccoa-Stephens County Infrastructure Improvement Plan (TSCIIP)

4. Achieve FTZ certification for Hayestone Brady Business Park

5. Ensure that available sites and buildings serve development needs

6. Continue efforts to enhance road & highway and rail capacity

7. Consider ways to improve and promote telecom assets

8. Assist County and City in their Blight Eradication efforts

9. Support County Land Use Committee in their efforts

10. Continue support for a strong regional Industry Network

11. With existing industry, identify needed skills lacking training

12. Build a spec building

IV. Communication & Marketing – Promote the “Must Say” messages of Toccoa-Stephens County across multiple mediums to a variety of internal and external audiences $30,000

1. Continue comprehensive review & upgrade of www.scda.biz (multi-media)

2. Seek and conduct “signature” local marketing events (Heart & Soul, BRAG, Southern Living, etc.)

3. Focus and direct marketing efforts at targeted industries

4. Present two Updates/Reports to City, County, Chamber

5. Obtain 5,000 unique visitors to website

6. Promote Toccoa’s opportunities to students

7. Utilize local cable channel videos to educate others about T-SC

8. Support a Junior Chamber of Commerce group

Board Responsibilities

I. Strategic Planning – Ensure that the “Big Picture” of community and economic development challenges are constantly under assessment - SWOT

1. Conduct/Participate in Community Strategic Planning

2. Monitor progress toward identified and adopted goals

II. Finance/Governance – Ensure compliance with state and federal financial and governance policies and regulations

1. Ensure adequate financing for operations

2. Ensure adequate accounting of all funds

3. Maintain sound financial practices with an approved budget

4. Ensure compliance with state and federal policies and regulations

5. Monitor compliance with PILOT agreements

6. Maintain adequate office space

7. Promote and maximize meaningful volunteer engagement via the committee structure

III. Advocacy Events/Efforts – Conduct needed advocacy events

1. Visit Washington, D.C.

2. Visit state agencies in Atlanta (GDEcD, DCA, GEFA, DOT, DOL, TCSG, SPC, DNR)

3. Host board meeting of state agency or legislative committee

4. Maintain regular/frequent contact with Deal, Wilkinson and Gasaway

5. Maintain regular/frequent contact with Collins, Chambliss and Isakson

6. Promote and Support Toccoa-Stephens County beautification efforts

IV. Staff – Develop and retain a professional staff

1. Interpret Authority directives, provide leadership, and implement adopted program of work

2. Administer day-to-day operations of the Authority

3. Prepare and/or Oversee funding applications, grant proposals, etc. to support Authority activities

4. Maintain a professional and productive staff

5. Maintain memberships in various ED associations and attend their conferences and meetings

6. Maintain professional certifications (CEcD, EDFP, CCE)