Midwest Partnership Corporation Three Year Business Plan

Midwest Partnership Corporation Three Year Business Plan Suggested Benchmarks/Major Goals/Desired Outcomes for Assessing MWP’s Success 1. Assist six new or expanded businesses in the region during the next three years. 2. Document 3% employment growth in three years. (Total employment MWP region is 8,700, with 3% translating to 260 new jobs). 3. Increase MWP region tax base by $6.5 million during the next three years. (Total present industrial tax base of MWP region is $34.6 million) Business Development Objective 1: Pursue the creation of WIAD certified development sites that are shovel ready for development and promote these ready sites. Timeframe: 4th Q 2008 Responsibility: Executive Director Objective 2: Develop both electronic and print format prospect inquiry response and promotional materials about the three counties comprising MWP. Timeframe: 2nd Q 2008 Responsibility: Executive Director Objective 3: Continue to collaborate with SWICO and WIAD in finalizing and implementing regional marketing efforts that serve to increase awareness of the MWP region plus continue strong working relationships with the IDED. Timeframe: On-going Responsibility: Executive Director and Regional Marketing Committee Objective 4: Continue a prioritized Existing Business Initiative (EBI) program in collaboration with local development organizations that serves to increase awareness of the assistance both MWP and the local development group can provide companies interested in expanding their operations. Timeframe: Annually and on a quarterly basis Responsibility: County Board Members & Executive Director Objective 5: Provide a new business referral information package that can be provided to assist individuals interested in starting a new business in the MWP region. Timeframe: On-going Responsibility: Executive Director Objective 6: Create a MWP Committee that will work to enhance opportunities in the MWP region that will create additional ag-based value added business. Timeframe: 2 Q 2008 Responsibility: MWP Board Members nd Timeframe: On-going Responsibility: MWP Board Members and MWP Executive Director Objective 3: Continue the quarterly e-letter that highlights activities of the MWP and distribute to identified recipients including partners, allies, prospects, existing industry and elected officials among others. Consider seeking sponsorships for the e-letter. Timeframe: On-going Responsibilities: Information for newsletter: MWP Board Members Production of Newsletter: Executive Director Objective 4: Expand the availability of information about economic and community development programs through MWP along with a list-serve function and promote this web based service to City Clerks, local development organizations and existing businesses. Timeframe: On-going Responsibility: Executive Director Objective 5: Identify and recruit, where necessary, a point of contact for economic development issues in each community in the MWP region, especially for recruitment leads that come through WIAD, Iowa DED, and/or utility partners. Timeframe: 1st Quarter of 2008 Responsibility: Executive Director Regional Collaboration Objective 1: Consider developing a Memorandum of Understanding that outlines the role of MWP and project protocols for adoption by the Partners of the MWP. Timeframe: 1st Q 2008 Responsibility: Membership Committee Objective 2: Update each County Board of Supervisors on a quarterly basis and host a semiannual small community development forum to discuss development opportunities and the activities of MWP. Resources Objective 1: Continue efforts to obtain the previously established per capita funding support from all participating members of the MWP. Timeframe: 4th Q 2007 Responsibility: Executive Committee & MWP Board Members Objective 2: Review participation investment for budget year 2008, including implementation of a three year investment campaign. Timeframe: 4th Q 2007 Responsibility: Finance Committee & MWP Board Members Mission Statement The Midwest Partnership is a non-profit, collaborative economic development organization formed to strengthen the economic vitality of the communities of Adair, Greene and Guthrie counties of Iowa. This is accomplished by: • Facilitating business development and addressing workforce needs • Providing a support role to communities in commercial/retail, community development, and entrepreneurial growth. Workforce Development Objective 1: Increase awareness of the IWD website that allows for the listing of job openings by existing employers in the region along with the posting of individual resumes. Timeframe: On-going Responsibility: Executive Director & MWP Board Members Objective 2: Determine the need for first line supervisor training among employers in the partnership area along with the willingness of employers to participate in an internship program and if responses warrant proceed to develop the appropriate programs. Timeframe: 3rd Q 2008 Responsibility: Executive Director & local ED organizations 3-Year Business Plan Midwest Partnership Corporation (MWP) Jason White, Executive Director 615 S. Division Street P O Box 537 Stuart, IA 50250 phone: 515-523-1262 fax: 515-523-1397 email: info@midwestpartnership.com website: www.midwestpartnership.com Prepared with the Assistance of The Institute for Decision Making Business & Community Services University of Northern Iowa