What is economic development and why is it important to local and state governments? That was the subject for the Wythe Bland Leadership Class held at the Wytheville Community College in Wytheville, VA. Sandy Ratliff with the Virginia Department of Business Assistance provided an overview of economic development in Virginia and how communities compete for new investment and job creation. Ratliff has over 20 years in economic and entrepreneurship in Rural Virginia.

1. LOCAL AND STATE GOVERNMENT ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT 101 Sandy Ratliff Business Services Manager Virginia Department of Business Assistance

2. The Virginia Department of Business Assistance VDBA supports economic development in the Commonwealth by working with new and existing businesses to provide business and economic development communities with: workforce incentives financing business information and counseling state procurement assistance educational opportunities www.vdba.virginia.gov

4. Bridges the 26 state agencies, over 110 regulatory programs and over 300 forms that may touch a Virginia business

5. Virginia Central Business Portal (www.business.virginia.gov)

6. Covers registration, taxation, licensing

7. Interactive business plan available online at www.vdba.virginia.gov or www.vastartup.org

9. $5 billion market - State

10. Access to buyers from 171 state agencies

11. Additional $5 billion from local governments

12. 575 localities using eVA system.

13. Small Business Goal – 40%

14. Over 41,490 registered suppliers

15. Over 13,065 participating buyersAsk VBIC = 866-248-8814

16. Examples of Purchasing: Instant Ice Tea 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $23,455.71 - 46 PO’s Novelty – Specialty Advertising Products 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $152,905.34 - 152 PO’s Grounds Maintenance: Mowing, Edging, Plant (Not Tree) Trimming, etc. 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $14,566,567.94 - 1150 PO’s Tires and Tubes, Passenger Vehicles 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $72,103.64 - 7 PO’s Concessions, Catering, Vending: Mobile and Stationary 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $6,187,712.31- 11,757 PO’s Building Maintenance 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $90,611,650.85 - 9285 PO’s Earth Moving Equipment Rental 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $8,573,333.24 -621 PO’s Cleaning Services, Steam & Pressure 01/01/2009 – 12/31/2009 = $3,358,694.55- 303 PO’s

17. One–on-One Counseling Sessions Need Based: Accessing New Markets/Sales Growth Tailored Sales Development Solutions Financing Resources Social Media for Your Business To schedule an appointment, contact: Sandy Ratliff, Business Services Manager 276-676-3768 Email: sandy.ratliff@vdba.virginia.gov

19. November 1 - Bristol

20. December 9 - Independence

21. Social Media Workshops – Why and how to connect for business.

22. Upcoming Events =

23. November 1– Floyd

24. November 16 – Bristol

25. Adventure Tourism Workshops – November 5 - Wytheville

27. Create minimum 25 net new jobs within 12 months and capital investment of at least $1,000,000

28. Minimum entry-level wage of $10.00/hr required. Only full-time jobs are eligible.

29. Small business workforce recruiting and training

30. 250 employees or less, hiring at least 5 new full time employees within 12 months of operation and capital investment of at least $100,000

31. Minimum entry-level wage of $10.00/hr required. Only full-time jobs are eligible.

32. Retraining

33. Small businesses that are retooling and installing new technologies

36. Not a grant- analyze cash flow and collateral VSBFA can help you grow by extending you credit Scott Parson- VSBFA Director, 804-371-8256

37. Let’s Talk Economic Development

38. Economic Development– a competitive business. 15,000 Economic Development Agencies in US. 8,300 in Europe 330 in Canada Estimated 70,000 on the planet! In 2009: ($1 m+ investment) 2,096 New projects 2,098 Expansions *How can rural Virginia compete?

39. It’s not just build it and they will come …it takes quality of life, education, transportation, utility, tax rates, pro-business regulatory, labor (quantity and quality) and money!

40. Economic Development 101 County/Community Buy-in Elected Officials Community Leaders & Chamber County Economic Development Wythe Joint IDA Bland EDA Support from regional, state & Federal leaders Economic/Industry Targets Match with Resources Labor Skills/Demographics Transportation Infrastructure Utility (W/S, Electric, Gas) Technology Infrastructure Existing Industry Demographics

41. REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT MARKETING ORGANIZATIONS

42. Economic Development 101….. Develop Product Sites/Buildings Marketing Materials Infrastructure Promotion/Finding Leads Trade Shows Marketing Missions Direct Mail Associations Advertising Social Media Site Selection Consultants

43. Progress Park 1,210 acres I-81 & I-77 within 2 miles Rail Access One of only seven SuperSites in Virginia

45. Economic Development 101….. The Visit Local contact team Existing industry leaders Utility/transportation State & Federal representatives Now what…………. Project specifications Match location to specs Project cost, land and infrastructure # New jobs created Company investment ROI for County and State Incentives Available The PROPOSAL You WIN /you hope!

46. Tourism – The Other Economic Development Driver

48. Impact of Tourism in VA - 2008 19.2 billion in revenue supported 210,620 jobs provided $1.28 billion in state and local tax revenue Wytheville Convention & Visitors Bureau and Regional Visitors Center

49. A sustainable economy is made up of a diverse mix of small business, industry and a business supportive government environment. It takes all of us working together to be successful.

50. “If you always do what you’ve always done, You will always get what you’ve always got!”

51. Contact: Sandy Ratliff The Virginia Department of Business Assistance 276-676-3768 sandy.ratliff@vdba.virginia.gov Online: Twitter: http://twitter.com/sandyratliffFacebook: http://www.facebook.com/sandy.ratliff LinkedIn - http://www.linkedin.com/in/sandyratliff