Last month’s column focused on the keys to improving our community’s economic vitality. The fifth and final key described our need to forge partnerships in order to maximize our opportunities as we work to attract new businesses and assist our existing businesses thrive.
This month I will use the space so graciously granted to me by the Leader-Press to provide you, the reader, with information about the partnerships the Copperas Cove enjoys.
A basic premise in the economic development profession is that local governments and their economic development entities should not conduct economic development in isolation. Regional and state coordination is essential to the process. This CCEDC Board of Directors had the same basic thought before I became the Executive Director and continues to have it to this day and for that I am grateful.
So, who are the partners your CCEDC has chosen to dance with?
Regionally, we are members of the Fort Hood Economic Region. Other members are the Belton EDC, the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce and Workforce Solutions of Central Texas. Formed more than 10 years ago and originally called the Central Texas Economic Corridor, the Fort Hood Economic Region’s goal is to attract major companies to the central Texas area. By presenting ourselves as a region, the group works to make it easy for these national companies to find us, learn about our skilled and educated workforce and gain access to statistics that describe our attractive wage scale and competitive business incentives.
Texas One is the major source of economic development marketing funds for the State of Texas. Our membership entitles the CCEDC to use the many state level marketing and outreach programs and services used by Texas One. We enjoy many benefits such as ongoing exposure through site selection events, a national advertising package, participation in Business Recruitment Missions and access to critical networking opportunities.
Team Texas is an exclusive group of 55 Texas communities that have joined together to promote our state as the best place for expanding businesses. As part of this year’s Scope of Work, Team Texas will host what is being called a Site Consultants Event. As members of Team Texas, next month the CCEDC will have the opportunity to meet with 20 or more of the nation’s leading site selection consultants. These consultants have as clients many of the nation’s largest companies and one of the services they provide to their clients is helping them find the next business expansion location. At the event the CCEDC Board and staff will individually sit down with these site selection consultants and educate them about Copperas Cove, our friendly business climate, available land and buildings, details on potential incentives and our many other resources.
An additional organization we have chosen to invest in is the World Economic Development Alliance or WEDA. An economic development lead-generating organization, WEDA assists their members, including the CCEDC, to connect with businesses seeking new locations for their relocation or expansion. This assistance comes in many forms. This includes giving us the low-cost or no-cost opportunity to exhibit at trade shows and conferences, profiling ourselves on their website, engaging in conference calls with companies seeking new business opportunities which include finding suppliers and participating in educational forums.
We have been very careful about our partnership selections. The old adage of “tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are” clearly has direct meaning for us. We value our reputation and will partner only with those that share our professional values. This Board of Directors will accept nothing less.
Now, what happens at the CCEDC when one of these partnerships provides a business recruitment lead? That’s next month’s column.
Polo Enriquez
Executive Director
Copperas Cove Economic Development Corporation