2017 commercial & industrial council presentation
TRANSCRIPT
Berks County CIC
January 5, 2017 @PShuppMenet@GreaterReading
PEDA Priorities
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Improvement of the regulatory climate in Pennsylvania
Enhancement of funding for public and private infrastructure development
Support for innovative (workforce) training initiatives
@PEDAtweets
©GIS Planning Inc. 2012
PASiteSearch.com and GreaterReadingSites.com speed up & simplify gathering information for your clients
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User-generated content (blogs, forums)Videos
Transactions (business licenses, permit applications, etc.)Formatting option for mobile devices/mobile apps
Business listComparisons to other areas
Social media integrationNews about community (past or present)
Hyperlinks to other organizationsTestimonials and success storiesEmployment training programs
Quality of life (climate, schools, housing, culture, healthcare, etc.)Business assistance services/how to start a business
GIS mapping tools for site selection analysis assistanceMajor employers
IncentivesStaff directory and contact information (phone, fax, email, address)
Major industries or business/industry clustersMaps
Infrastructure (utilities and transportation)Demographic reports
Labor force (availability and wages)Land/sites and buildings inventory
24%33%
48%51%
53%55%
60%60%
67%67%
70%73%74%
77%80%81%
83%83%85%86%
90%91%91%
Most important features of an economic development website
Source: National Survey of Economic Developers and Site Selection Professionals by Ubalde & Simundza. 2011.
PA SITE SEARCH
5#PAProud
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GreaterReadingSites.com
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Access to Data
Business Intelligence: Access to high-quality demographic, market & business analysis & maps (for free).
©GIS Planning Inc. 2012
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So what can EDOs provide that you can’t get from the internet?
©GIS Planning Inc. 2012 10
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• Economic development agencies know their communities – all of the local information that you can’t get from data tools
• EDOs know who just laid off, who closed, who has training programs and dollars.
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International support through the Office of International Business Development (OIBD) - don’t speak the language? No problem
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Labor interviews with existing companies – EDOs have the connections and the contacts to make this happen
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Facilitation and introductions to the approving agencies, boards, and municipalities, supply chain and elected officials.
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• Incentives – everyone wants them, but not all know how or where to access them - workforce training, tax credits, low interest financing
• There may be soft incentives which include start-up marketing and new hire assistance, paid accommodations for executives and trainers, membership in Chamber, trade organizations, young professional groups
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Economic developers may be aware of sites that aren’t on Loopnet, CoStar, or word of mouth from your peers
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Help with permitting at the local and state level – economic developers can advocate for the project - High priority economic development projects for the community
& Economic developers will typically get the phone call when a project runs into permitting trouble
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LERTA, TIF, KOEZ, KIZ, MTF, BIOS, RCAP, CDBG – Oh need some help with the acronyms?
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Economic developers roll out the red carpet for prospects
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Economic developers understand the importance of confidentiality and maintaining the integrity of site selection. They are there to help you get the deal done.
2017 Economic Development Trends for Berks County
1. Municipalities step up their Game.
2. International interest in Berks County and PA will remain high.
3. Regional partnering will be a key component to our success.
4. Site inventory remains a high priority. Dirt is Not a Site.
5. Focus on building the workforce needs of existing companies.
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Have a commercial or industrial property in Berks County? Send the info to:[email protected]
GreaterReading.com@GreaterReading