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Joe Briggs - Commissioner

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Guiding Principles for North Central Montana Economic Development

Think Regionally

Be Focused yet Flexible

Know your targets

Understand your assets and liabilities

Build Partnerships

Be Creative

Know your tools

Retain, then Recruit

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Why Regional?

Constrained ResourcesMoneyStaffTime

Inter Dependent EconomiesShared Labor Pool

Shared Infrastructure

Expanded Site OptionsDifferent blends

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Build Partnerships!

Adds ResourcesMoneyStaffTime

Sharing ResourcesManage Rivalries

Shared Demographic DataCross linked Web Sites

Expertise

Who are my Partners?Municipalities & Other Counties

State & Federal AgenciesLocal & Regional AgenciesChambers of Commerce

BanksBusinesses

Higher Education Facilities

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Understand Your Assets and Liabilities.

Work Force Availability

Training Levels“Soft Skills”

Relative Cost

Infrastructure Roads

Water & Waste WaterElectricity/Natural GasExtractable Resources

CommunicationsHousing Stocks

Quality of Life Schools

Recreation

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Know your Tools.Incentives

Workforce Training GrantsLocal Tax Incentives

RLF FinancingInfrastructure Development

TIF DistrictsIndustrial Development Bonding

State Incentives504 Business Loans

Brownfield Redevelopment

Technical SupportPTAC – Federal

Business Development PlanningExisting Business Retention

Business Mentoring Business IncubatorFinancial Guidance

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Know your Targets.

What Types of Businesses? Is Distance to Market an Issue?

What are your local feed stocks?What will your Workforce Support?

What are the local product demands?What will your Infrastructure Support?

Regional Economic Diversity Study

Our TargetsLocal Businesses with Growth Potential

Potential Startup CompaniesAgri Processing Businesses

Energy Production BusinessesVertical Integration of Existing Firms

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Focused yet Flexible.

Concentrate your Resources and efforts on your targeted Business groups.

Limited Trade Show ActivityLeverage Existing Businesses

Market to the Industry Site SelectorsShare Marketing Costs with Partners

Quick Adaptive Response The Unexpected Opportunity

Team approachReallocate activity to allow a short term Focus

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Be Creative and Adaptive

Different Companies are motivated by different circumstances.

Requirements may changeNo one size fits all approach.Find out as much as you can.

Sell the community not just the site.On incentive may not work but a bundle might.

Be responsive to the potential company.

BUT…. Do not over promise and under deliver.