www.thegrcc.org

2010-2011 Strategic PlanCollaboration Achieves Results

I am pleased and proud to serve as Chairman of the Operating Board of the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. It is our goal to collaborate

more to achieve positive economic results for the whole community. Through collaboration and partnership we will achieve greater success. I invite current and new partners throughout the community to participate actively in the critical activities underway at the Regional Chamber—retaining and expanding current employers, gaining new employment and investment; implementing special initiatives; enhancing the employability of our future workforce; and increasing business opportunities for our local firms and entrepreneurs.

Together we can optimize the community’s efforts to achieve these objectives. We are proving it can be done, even in these challenging economic times. Through expanded partnerships, we can achieve even greater results. I invite you to join us.

Dr. Julianne PrincinskyChairman, Operating Board of DirectorsPresident, Baker College Flint

To learn more about Regional Chamber programs, visit www.thegrcc.org

Mission StatementThe Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce facilitates strategic partnerships between public, private and nonprofit entities to maximize economic growth.

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A Message from the Chairman

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W e look forward to the challenges of completing our two-year plan and we ask for your continued support. We also seek your input on the

Strategic Plan that is on the following pages. This plan is designed to be adaptable to new conditions, circumstances and community input. Please review the document and join with us as we do the work of strengthening our economy.

Tim HermanCEOGenesee Regional Chamber of Commerce

2010-2011 Strategic PlanThe Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to introduce this Strategic Plan. Input has been

obtained regarding the plan and its components from a broad cross section of community leaders in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. This plan highlights activity critical to the realization of strategies in the community’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), developed with the input of the Regional Chamber and its members in 2009-2010.

Results-Oriented StrategiesBuilding a good home requires a good plan. The same is true for a community. We have updated our Strategic Plan for 2010-2011 so it reflects our current scope of activity and the changing realities of our local and national economy. The Regional Chamber’s number one priority is retaining and creating jobs and we are making steady progress in both areas.

Our success is the outcome of good planning. Our success is also the outcome of the hard work accomplished by our staff and our community partners in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. For example, the attraction projects completed in 2009 will bring more than $91,000,000 in investment and 900 jobs to the community. Last year, our Procurement Technical Assistance Center helped area companies win 566 government contracts worth nearly $78 million.

In 2010-2011 we look to increase retention and attraction

efforts so we can keep producing positive outcomes for our community. And we will accomplish other important projects for the community as well. We will roll out education initiatives and public policy platforms that will help our evolving community move forward.

We will continue to build on our existing partnerships and look for other opportunities to collaborate with the public and private sectors across Genesee County. Strategic planning is at the core of creating alliances that will build our community and our business base.

This Strategic Plan is a living document and allows for adaptation to changing forces related to the economy, industry trends, resource availability and other factors. Input may be submitted and considered for inclusion at any time throughout the course of implementation. The Regional Chamber will undertake regular sessions with diverse groups of investors and community stakeholders to gain input on planning as well as the implementation of strategies, progress, and results.

A Message from the CEO

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Objectives

Strategies & Targets

Measurable Results

The Regional Chamber has the following objectives:

The Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce has developed a multi-faceted economic development strategy with many supporting components. First is a focus on retention activities to support the diversification and competitiveness of local firms. Second, an expanded outreach and marketing program will be conducted outside the area to attract new investment and businesses into the community.

Both efforts will focus on the diversification of the local economic base with outreach directed at firms who represent the potential for sales outside the region and job creation. These factors result in the flow of capital into the local economy. Although not exclusively, firms are likely to be in one the following target sectors:

With a disciplined focus on job creation and economic diversification, the Regional Chamber has established annual target goals for each of the work plan activities. Progress toward these goals will be monitored on a monthly basis and a report card issued regularly. The Regional Chamber will review with its Operating Board of Directors progress being made toward goals. Stakeholders will be briefed on a regular basis regarding activity and results. Each year, an Annual Meeting will be held which will include a complete report to the community.

• Diversify the local economy• Increase investment and job creation• Elevate business and workforce competitiveness • Enhance K-16 development of future workforce capabilities• Celebrate and promote economic development successes• Enhance awareness of local assets and strengths

• Promote member business opportunities• Support local municipalities to enhance economic

development processes• Achieve diverse participation in planning and implementation• Increase partnership and collaboration

• Transportation, distribution, and logistics

• Alternative energy/Alternative fuel

• Homeland security/defense• High-tech services• Corporate offices

• Advanced manufacturing• Health science/bio-medicine• Water infrastructure-related businesses

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Action Groups

Subject Matter ExpertsPublic Policy

• Increase State and Federal Funding to Genesee County

• Take Positions on Issues Deemed “High Impact” for Business

• Support Efficiency and Effectiveness of Local Government

Communications & Marketing• Enhance Community Image

• Provide Regional Chamber Marketing Support

• Enhance Regional Chamber Brand

General Management• Undertake Human Resources

Staff Support

• Provide Technology Support

• Optimize Management and Financial Systems

• Build Strategic Relationships and Planning Capacity

T he Regional Chamber is organized in three action groups: Economic Development, Employer Education & Training Connection and Member Services. These groups are

supported by subject matter experts in Public Policy, Communications and Marketing and General Management. This structure allows the organization to focus resources and execute programs around the critical operations of the organization.

Work Plan Summary

Economic Development• Retain and Expand Local Firms

• Attract New Jobs and Investment

• Undertake Special Initiatives

• Strengthen Partnerships

Employer Education & Training Connection

• Conduct Workforce, Education, and Training Initiatives by convening and connecting education and training resources with business

• Integrate and Leverage Programs and Resources to Serve Business Needs

Member Services• Attract New Members

• Retain Current Members

• Enhance Event Revenue and Member Value

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In order to accomplish the established goals of the Strategic Plan the Regional Chamber has defined critical activities for 2010-2011. These activities will be accomplished by collaboration with our many community partners.

Retain and Expand Local Firms• Conduct retention outreach – Gain referrals from staff, clients,

and stakeholders• Deliver retention/expansion services – Michigan Manufacturing

Technology Center: Market diversification and competitiveness

– Procurement Technical Assistance Center: New government contracts

Attract New Jobs and Investment• Motivate investors to locate in

Genesee County – Conduct outreach to investment

prospects – Provide advisement and project

management support

• Conduct outreach to professional site consultants

• Update marketing materials and expand communications

– Enhance content, print materials, web site

Undertake Special Initiatives• Enhance local economic

development infrastructure – Implement intermodal and

corridor strategies – Support planning and initiatives that

bring resources to the community• Promote Regional Chamber services – Financial packaging programs,

including Economic Development Corporations

– Site and incentives consultation

– Use of innovative technology to drive economic growth

– Government contracting – Business process improvement

and diversification• Continue to grow professional team

Strengthen Partnerships• Establish shared vision with local

government, service providers, etc. – Conduct workshops for input and

consultation – Undertake project reviews for

continuous improvement

Action Steps that Lead to Success

Economic Development

Public Policy General ManagementIncrease State and Federal Funding to Genesee County• Seek and obtain new funding for economic

development, community infrastructure, and other needs

Take Positions on Issues Deemed “High Impact” for Business• Identify county-wide and regional issues

and legislation• Identify possible solutions and undertake

action on issues• Inform and engage businesses and

community stakeholders

Support Efficiency and Effectiveness of Local Government• Ensure collaboration on major projects• Aid municipalities in supporting business

growth• Support municipal efforts to achieve

greater efficiency and effectiveness in economic development processes

Undertake Human Resources Staff Support

Provide Technology Support

Optimize Management and Financial Systems

Build Strategic Relationships and Planning Capacity

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Conduct Workforce, Education, and Training Initiatives by Convening and Connecting Education and Training Resources With Business• Work with education/training/

workforce development to represent business perspective

• Optimize K-16 program management and participation

– Conduct career preparation and after-school programs at the K-12 level

Integrate and Leverage Programs and Resources to Serve Business Needs• Document education/training/

workforce development programs available for business

– Optimize programs offered by partner organizations

• Consult on workforce-related issues for employers – Support cost savings,

market diversification, and competitiveness

• Conduct workshops and events to enhance business knowledge and utilization of resources

– Optimize seminars offered by Regional Chamber departments

Attract New Members• Conduct outreach to potential new

members

Retain Current Members• Improve member services – Enhance affinity and cost saving

programs – Conduct workshops – Promote member capabilities• Enhance communication to members

Enhance Event Revenue and Member Value• Plan and conduct events – Conduct regular education and

networking sessions – Plan and undertake major events• Engage members in special groups – Business committees

Employer Education & Training Connection Member Services

Communications & MarketingEnhance Community Image• Promote community strengths to

local and regional media – Expand “Partners for Progress” – Maintain steady flow of

communications to target audiences – Enhance the use of social media• Collect and disseminate important

data and stories

Provide Regional Chamber Marketing Support• Develop marketing strategies and

associated materials – Consult with departments and

advise regarding product shaping, strategy, tactics

– Undertake regional/national campaign for economic development targets

– Develop and execute affinity program marketing/advertising campaigns

• Promote Regional Chamber products and services to various target audiences

Enhance Regional Chamber Brand• Manage and evolve the brand of the

Regional Chamber – Manage look/feel of various

marketing materials – Expand the functionality of the

web site to provide services to members/users

– Optimize and re-structure the design of the web site to enhance the search experience

Operating BoardOfficers:Chairman

Dr. Julianne PrincinskyPresident

Baker College of Flint

Chair-elect John MatonichPresident & CEO

Rowe Professional Services Co.

At-Large:Willie Artis–SecretaryPresident Genesee Packaging, Inc.

Stuart ForsythCommunity PresidentCitizens Bank, representative for Cathleen H. Nash, President & CEO

Robert FullerCFOHubbard Supply

Don KooyPresident McLaren Regional Medical Center

Steve LandaalPresident Landaal Packaging Systems

Phil Peters–TreasurerVice President Charles Stewart Mott Foundation

Joe Serra President Serra Automotive Group

Robert L. RummelSenior Vice PresidentChase

Dayne WallingMayorCity of Flint

Patricia LockwoodCommissioner 6th District Genesee County Board of Commissioners-representative for Jamie Curtis, County Board Chair

www.thegrcc.org

519 S. Saginaw St. | Suite 200Flint, MI 48502

ph: 810.600.1404f: 810.600.1461