Executive Summary

Economic Development Strategic Plan Update

simplifying IT

The economic recovery, new staff, and trans-

formational new economic development pro-

jects make it a good time to update York Coun-

ty’s economic development strategy. The stra-

tegic plan was developed using a SWOT Analy-

sis, economic and demographic trends, product

inventory analysis, benchmarking, and target

industry analysis. The local planning process

leveraged a regional strategic plan developed

for the I-77 Alliance. It is now time to boost the

program to a higher level with more proactive

marketing, product development, and attention

to existing business retention and expansion.

Organizational Development

York County Economic Development (YCED)

wants to remain on the leading edge with a

model economic development organization. A

task force is recommended to review the organ-

izational structure and identify enhancements

and best practices.

The strategic plan recommends an increase in

the operating budget in order to implement the

strategic plan and expand research capabilities.

An Economic Development Summit to identify

further synergies with partner organizations is

also recommended .

Marketing & Business Recruitment

It is time for York County to refresh its brand to

make sure it is relevant to the target customer.

Along with a refreshed brand, the website needs

updating and eventually an upgrade with more

advanced technologies.

Regional targets of the I-77 Alliance include:

Advanced Materials

Transportation Equipment

Chemicals

Business/Financial Services

Food Products

Life Sciences

Energy

Food Products and Business/Financial Services,

including Business Management/Headquarters,

are recommended niches for York County.

YCED participates in external marketing out-

reach through the I-77 Alliance and Charlotte

Regional Partnership.

YCED can keep investors and stakeholders in-

formed through social media, e-marketing, and

other internal marketing tools.

The I-77 Alliance was formed to market Chester, Fairfield, Richland, and York Counties.

Through an organizational development process that started in 2012, founding members es-

tablished the organization’s mission, structure, funding sources, program of work, staffing

model, and location. This is excerpted from an organizational summary brief from 2013 and

shows the original vision for the alliance.

York County Economic Development

York County Economic Development is the primary organization responsible for retaining and

growing business and industry in York County. Our mission is to serve the people of York County

by helping to create and support a business friendly environment that welcomes new corporations

and helps existing companies to grow and succeed.

simplifying IT

Product Development

Product development has been one of the key

gaps identified in the last three strategic planning

processes. We recommend leading off with a

product development strategy that prioritizes

needed investments in site, park, and building

development.

Next, establish a long-term, sustainable funding

method. Today, proactive communities are seek-

ing ways to building a stable fund to make strate-

gic investments in product development.

Finally, foster public-private partnerships to fur-

ther product development.

Business Incentives

The strategic plan recommends that York County

partner with the I-77 Alliance and other counties

to advocate for state incentive policy changes

that will better support the recruitment of office

and headquarters facilities and also retain exist-

ing businesses. We also recommend a long-term

goal of developing quick-start space for relocat-

ing companies.

Business Retention and Expansion

The majority of all new investment and job cre-

ation comes from existing businesses. YCED

has a proactive business retention and expan-

sion program. Action steps in the strategic plan

include increasing BRE visits, tracking busi-

ness data, using social media to network busi-

nesses, and updating the website with addi-

tional resources for existing businesses.

York County is in the process of becoming a

Certified Work Ready Community. This desig-

nation is important because the number one

concern of all existing businesses is workforce

development.

Small Business Development

York County Economic Development is not the

lead small business development agency; ra-

ther, it plays a supporting role. This strategic

plan calls for upgrades to the website that will

add resource information for small businesses.

It also calls for a long-term goal of adding in-

centive programs that will support start-up and

small businesses.

The I-77 Alliance was formed to market Chester, Fairfield, Richland, and York Counties.

Through an organizational development process that started in 2012, founding members es-

tablished the organization’s mission, structure, funding sources, program of work, staffing

model, and location. This is excerpted from an organizational summary brief from 2013 and

shows the original vision for the alliance.

Location

Proximity to Charlotte

Workforce

Supplier network

Transportation network

Technical training for workforce

Quality of life

Diversity of industry sectors

Strategic Assets

simplifying IT

The strategic plan update is in collaboration with the strategic planning process

for the I-77 Alliance.

The I-77 Alliance was formed to market Chester, Fairfield, Richland, and York Counties.

Through an organizational development process that started in 2012, founding members es-

tablished the organization’s mission, structure, funding sources, program of work, staffing

model, and location. This is excerpted from an organizational summary brief from 2013 and

shows the original vision for the alliance.

David Swenson | Director

david.swenson@yorkcountygov.com

1830 Second Baxter Crossing

Fort Mill, SC 29708

803-802-4300

www.i77alliance.com

www.ycedb.com

The I-77 Alliance Region