09-Paris Economic Development Corporation's Quarterly Report

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. = J ~ . To reach a much broader audience; 3'EDC has significantly ramped up its presence on the Web. Our new website, w~v-w.paristexasusa.com; was launched in the Fall and has become a critical tool for promoting available properiies, posting up-to-the minute PEDC news; and providing a vast amount of community data to site selectors and the public. PEDC also communicates via the social media outlets of Facebook (NAwxN,.fac.ebook.com/paristexasusa); Twitter (~~,w.twitter.com/paristexasusa) and YouTube (wwvv.youtube.com/paristexasusa). Be sure to "friend" or "follow" us so you can stay in the loop on all that is going on in economic development in Paris and Lamar County. Business Retention & Expansion Businesses understand it is easier to keep a customer than find a new one. PEDC's goal for business retention and expansion is building arid strengthening relationships with our existing industries. We want to keep existing jobs and help companies grow in Paris. There are several activities that PEDC incorporates into its relationship-building efforts. First, PEDC supports and sponsors monthly Industrial Managers meeting,s with active participation by both board members and staff. Through these regular meetings, PEDC learns of new opportunities or challenges facing our loca] industries. Industrial Manager meetings allow the leaders of local industry to hear from each other what changes have taken place in their organization in recent months and what changes or opporiunities may be on the horizon. By keeping abreast of factors impacting each other, existing industries are able to share knowledge, information and insight, and PEDC is able to offer support and advocacy to ensure the continued success of these businesses. Another important tool for relationship building is one-on-one meetings with the owners and managers of existing businesses. PEDC regularly makes on-site visits to companies where the PEDC staff is able to provide detailed information about services and resources we can offer, as well as provide information on political and legislative matters that may have an impact on the business. More importantly, PEDC listens to local companies to understand their needs, requirements and expectations. The informatian shared in these meetings is held in confidence. We encourage our business contacts to candidly express any problems, issues, jconcerns or needs for which PEDC may be able to offer assistance. By maintaining frequent contact with our industries, PEDC is often able to learn of needs and concerns early on and offer support that can help to not only retain the business in the community, but also to help it grow. Lastly, PEDC develops and nurtures relationships with existing businesses by sponsoring an industry appreciation week each year. This week allows PEDC staff and board members to meet not only leaders but also employees of some of our existing industry. We provide a light breakfast to a different business each day of the week. The week culminates with a celebration in appreciation of our business and industry where guests are able to have fun while networking among each other, and PEDC board, staff; community leaders and elected officials. Building and maintaining relationships and regular comrnunication helps everybody stay on the same page. Red River Region Business Incubator (R3bi) & Support for Entrepreneurs Your business incubator - R3bi - is now a reality. We have four applicants for the incubator and two are already in residence at a temporary office. Pending completion of the finish out of the " 36