In our recent webinar on Business Engagement Strategies for Communities, we explored the challenges and effective strategies surrounding business retention and expansion (BR&E) programs. Community leaders and economic development professionals gathered to gain insights on supporting existing businesses while creating an environment that attracts new enterprises.
Key Objectives of BR&E Programs
The primary goals of a successful BR&E program include:
- Retaining existing businesses: Ensuring that local businesses thrive is crucial for economic stability.
- Supporting expansion: Providing assistance to help businesses grow contributes to a vibrant local economy.
- Building community relationships: Establishing strong connections with the business community fosters collaboration.
- Attracting new businesses: Cultivating an appealing environment encourages startups and new enterprises.
Insights from Our Speakers
Our distinguished speakers included Charlie French, Community & Economic Development Team Leader at UNH Extension; Jennifer Scott Beck, Chair of the Economic Development Team in Wilton, New Hampshire; and Sean Clancy, Assistant City Manager of Economic & Community Development in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. They collectively highlighted the importance of investing in volunteers and recognizing their contributions, as engaged volunteers are crucial for the success of BR&E programs. They emphasized the need for high-quality, well-curated data to inform decision-making and guide town planning efforts. Building and nurturing relationships with business owners was underscored as vital for fostering a supportive business environment. Additionally, maintaining ongoing communication through follow-up surveys was deemed essential for leveraging insights and establishing trust. The benefits of BR&E programs also emerged clearly: they lead to increased business retention, enhanced community collaboration, and a better understanding of local economic needs, ultimately driving sustainable growth and innovation.
The insights shared during the webinar underscored the vital role that community engagement plays in economic development. By fostering strong relationships and utilizing quality data, communities can effectively retain and grow their business base. If you’re interested in learning more about how this program can benefit your town, please reach out to our team.
Thank you to our speakers and participants for making this webinar a success!
Introducing the Community Business Engagement Program
We’re excited to announce the launch of our new Community Business Engagement program, designed to help communities develop tailored strategies for business retention and expansion. Building on the strengths of a more traditional BR&E program, the Community Business Engagement program is designed to be more customizable to highlight community strengths and interests, use updated tools based on experience gained from our past BR&E programs, and to be outcome-driven to help your community develop clear action plans.
Stay tuned for more discussions on enhancing community engagement and economic development.
