Action Plan
The Economic Development Foundation (EDF) of Athens-Clarke County (ACC) will work to efficiently and effectively grow the overall economy of Athens-Clarke County, provide jobs, attract new capital investment and raise per-capita incomes by focusing on FOUR strategic areas:
I. Business Attraction
II. Business Retention/Expansion
III. Business Creation
IV. Communication and Administration
I. Business Attraction:
• Work to develop relationships with local, state and national economic development project ?gate keepers? to enable successful project completions that bring new business to ACC.
• Obtain marketing funding, develop and implement advertising/marketing strategy that targets specific industries and companies. Develop and implement EDF website, marketing materials, brochures, PR events, media relations, and sponsorships.
II. Business Retention/Expansion
• Partner with Chamber of Commerce to develop an ?Existing Business Visitation? strategy that includes identifying and developing relationships with key business and community leaders. Implement the visitation strategy with local business to improve communication with local businesses and Economic Development stakeholders. Develop a ?Rapid Response Plan? in case of major employer shutdown.
III. Business Creation
• Develop Entrepreneurial / Small Business programs that foster entrepreneurship and leverages resources for local needs including competitive / market intelligence and consultative services.
• Provide clear funding procedures for small, medium-sized businesses.
IV. Communication & Administration
• Communicate clearly and consistently with constituents, sponsors, and partners to deliver EDF message, objectives, and progress.
• Provide leadership and expertise to EDF-sponsored projects to ensure that scope and goals align with EDF and community expectations.
• Organize, direct, and manage EDF resources to support EDF performance and achieve organizational goals.