[fusion_text]Jackson County Industrial Development Corporation (JCIDC) has completed its new 3-year strategic plan with the help of Thayr Richey, President of Strategic Development Group of Bloomington, Indiana.
Richey said JCIDC continues to be a model for Midwest local economic development organizations because of its outstanding track record of recruiting new basic employers and also working with existing manufacturers. But nothing is perfect. The county has strengths and weaknesses, and it faces challenges to keep up with trends around the nation and the world.
After surveying the JCIDC board and staff, interviewing key stakeholders throughout the county, comparing and contrasting comparable communities and looking at economic trends, Richey came up with 5 recommendations for a strategy through 2018.
1. Keep up the good work: Continue the excellent work in new business attraction, retention and expansion, and workforce development/education, and increase the marketing program
2. Create a multi-county workforce development program: This is the time for JCIDC to increase its efforts in helping employers find qualified workers.
3. Target Professional and Technical Service Clusters: Promote Jackson County as a location for small companies in the professional and technical services sector (PTS).
4. Develop more Basic Employer Sites: A relatively small amount of available acreage is currently available in the county, and JCIDC should work to identify and assist with development of additional sites.
5. Support City of Seymour in Downtown Revitalization: Employers had noted the lack of dining and shopping opportunities in the downtown that was a problem in recruiting professional staff. JCIDC should support the City in improving the quality of life assets to help in recruiting PTS sector employers.[/fusion_text]