TEAM REPORT
Business Retention & Expansion Team
Going after new businesses and helping them locate here is a major part of the Chamber’s economic development mission, but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. Keeping our existing businesses happy and encouraging and aiding them in expansion efforts is just as crucial to the overall economy in our area, and these are the objectives the Chamber’s Business Retention & Expansion Team work hard on every day, as Jessica G. Horsley Director of Retention explained.
What do you and the Business Retention & Expansion team do? We meet with area manufacturers to explore opportunities and challenges; educate manufacturers on the resources of the Chamber; assist area companies with their expansion plans; handle issues as they are raised by existing industry; and foster networking opportunities, recognition programs and all efforts to promote the growth and development of the existing industries in our area.
How does the local business community benefit from what you and your team do? We educate and assist with the abatement process, saving companies potentially millions of dollars in taxes. We also represent a one-stop location for training needs through the Montgomery Regional Workforce Training Center.
How does the community in general benefit from the team’s work? The com- munity benefits through the job creation and job preservation that result from our efforts.
What are some of your team’s most significant achievements? With 1,704 jobs in 2016, Montgomery County was?the top county for job announcements by new and expanding industry. Montgomery County ranked second last year in new and expanding industry economic development project announcements, with 42 announced projects, which was 10.4 percent of the state’s total announcements. Also, in 2016, Montgomery County had $371.3 million in new investments.
What one thing would you like MBJ readers to know about what your team does? We work with manufacturing companies, headquarters, IT and back-office operations. We are ready, willing and able to assist them in the challenges they face daily when operating their businesses.
What is your favorite thing about your job? I love the feeling of having made a significant impact on the day-to-day operations of our local industries and their employees.
