Laserfiche WebLink
Lamar County - Paris Economic Development Plan <br />However, many times it simply is how the community treats the company when the company has <br />a problem, which is caused locally. Persistent problems for a company, large or small, add costs <br />and time to the operation of the company, which motivates the company to seek another location <br />when it needs to expand or retool. <br />The most important element of an Existing Industry Program is quality and confidential <br />communication between the economic development organization and the employer. This <br />communication leads to problem solving activity for the employer by the economic development <br />organization. <br />Recommendations: <br />• For the first five years, the annual milestones are fairly modest for the number of net new <br />contributory jobs necessary to be created in Paris to reach the economic goal. <br />In the immediate future, most of the new jobs will be created from existing primary <br />employers. The Paris Economic Development Corporation presently conducts a modest <br />Existing Industry Program, due to staff constraints. This program needs to be expanded <br />as soon a possible. <br />When meeting with primary employers, the typical issue discussed is: "How can we help <br />you, do you have any problems? The issue should now be: "What will it take to cause <br />you to hire more workers ?" <br />Utilizing software and survey tools it has available, the Paris Economic Development <br />Corporation needs to aggressively assist the companies as much as possible in this <br />endeavor. <br />• In the future, additional staff personnel will be needed for this program. The existing <br />primary employers in the county are the best opportunity for the area to generate new <br />jobs. As a result, significant emphasis needs to be placed on this program. <br />The Task: Within the next six months, the PEDC Director will expand the Existing Industry <br />Program. <br />The Task: Within the next twelve months, all primary industry "type" businesses will be <br />identified. Staff from the PEDC will have confidential meetings with these businesses to <br />determine what action the community can take to encourage more employment. <br />Recruitment Program <br />A Recruitment Program is necessary to increase the number of contributory employers in Paris. <br />This will improve the quality, increase the size, and add consistency to the local economy. <br />Paris Economic Development Corporation Page 10 <br />