EG2009 Aberdeen,SD Ppt

7th NATIONAL ECONOMIC GARDENING CONFERENCE

ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN ABERDEEN

Julie M. Johnson,Absolutely! Aberdeen & Prairie Vision

& Jim Barringer, Aberdeen Development Corporation

FIRST THINGS FIRST!

CONGRATUATIONS TO OUR REGIONAL PARTNERS!

ABSOLUTELY!ABERDEEN

“A 4-year progressive economic development action plan to accelerate economic investment in Northeast South Dakota from 2006-2009”

“Aberdeen: Open for Business in Northeast South Dakota”

‘Accelerating the Growth of Aberdeen and its Region”

“LEADING AT THE SPEED OF GROWTH”

II. PRIMARY JOB CREATION: HOW DID WE DO?

• Aberdeen Development Corp. gets a gold star!• Nearly 2000 new jobs with new firms by end of ’10• Catalytix gave us great advice• Still working with companies• Chamber—”Bridges” is a fabulous internship

program!• SBDC—BIG Idea is a great piece of work!• ‘Bridge Builder Award”-1st presented ‘08

• Entrepreneur of the Year Award—2nd Presented ‘09

“Catalytix” gave us good advice!

BUILD ON OUR CULTURE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP

• Implement the Destination Development recommendations

• E-Commerce training• Entrepreneur of the Year• Systematize access to entrepreneurship

services, capital, support• Business start-ups/small business growth

measures• BIG Idea business idea competition->

– College-level business plan competition

“BIG IDEA”

YEAR 3

High School

Business Idea Competition

Adding a Marketing Piece in Year 3

Want to take to College-Level Business Plan

ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR

2008 Roger Feickert—Midstates Printing Family of Companies

2009 Jim Thares—Primrose Retirement Communities

BRIDGES PROGRAM

“BRIDGE BUILDER” AWARD

2009 3M Companies

THANK YOU!

Julie M. Johnson725-5070280-3642

juliem.johnson@absolutelyaberdeen.com

Jim Barringer

Executive Vice President

What is the role of a typical Development Corporation in job

creation

• New Industry Attractions

• Local Expansions

• Start-ups

What has the Aberdeen Development Corporation done

to assist startups?• Capital

– Loans– Equity

• Real Estate– Lease

• Operating• Financing

– Build, buy back– Low overhead cost

• Support Services

What kind of companies have the Aberdeen Development Corporation

worked with?What assistance provided and what is our

successes?• Four Star Plastics, Inc.• Prairie Tool• SENTR@ NET• TalenSoft; aka Web Plus• Midstates Printing; aka QQP• Wooden Mallet• Vallon

Four Star Plastics, Inc.