“J.O.B.S. Campaign”

Jobs & Opportunities Benefiting Shiawassee

Resource Development Group is pleased to submit this campaign closeout report to the Shiawassee Regional Chamber Board of Directors, SEDP Committee, Campaign leadership and SEDP staff personnel. We began this important funding effort in August 2002 with the execution of the Community Assessment process, which created the necessary awareness and blue print to successfully conduct this countywide fundraising campaign.

From February through October, 2003, more than 214 businesses, organizations and units of government throughout ShiawasseeCounty received formal presentations of the SEDP’s new five-year business plan. Despite the fundraising challenges resulting from the soft economy, I am pleased to report that as of November 12, 2003:

  • We surpassed our Public Sector Goal of $100,000 per year and our Private Sector Goal of $150,000 annually;
  • 14 units of government and the Shiawassee Public School System have joined the SEDP membership accounting for $116,000 per year of cash and in-kind commitments.
  • Over 90 private sector companies have joined the SEDP membership team resulting in over $175,000 annually including in-kind commitments in program funding.

I would like to personally thank the Board of Directors, Campaign Leadership and SEDP Committee for your participation and support in making this a successful fundraising campaign. Program investors invariably look to the organization’s leadership to determine their level of financial support. It became clear early in the campaign that campaign prospects throughout ShiawasseeCounty were confident in the SEDP’s leadership and commitment to provide this county with a fully staffed, fully funded economic development organization.

Not to be forgotten is the entire Chamber staff, especially Sherri Bakos and Carol Conn, who from start to finish provided excellent support and assistance to this campaign effort.

On behalf of the entire Resource Development Group team, we appreciated the opportunity to partner with you on this important project and wish the SEDP and ShiawasseeCounty great economic success.

Sincerely,

Jim Yoder

Resource Development Group

Shiawassee

Economic Development

Partnership

“J.O.B.S. Campaign”

Campaign

CLOSEOUT

REPORT

Submitted by:

Resource Development Group

November 2003

Recommendations/Strategies
  • Because of the countywide coverage of the SEDP, we recommend conducting monthly meetings at various “partner” sites throughout the county.
  • SEDP Board and Committee positions should be extended to all investors. Some evening Committee meetings should be considered to allow those public sector representatives who work in the private sector during the day an opportunity to get involved.
  • As an outreach and investor relations’ policy, one of the roles of the Public/Private Collaboration Committee should be to attend as many public sector investor meetings as possible. A monthly report is currently generated and can be shared with the public sector investor. While you can communicate with a quarterly newsletter, e-mail, etc., public sector boards want to be able to feel and touch the SEDP.
  • CaledoniaTownship should be formally re-visited after the January election. A meeting should be scheduled with Joe DeCaire sometime in November or early December. George Ramos can be instrumental with this meeting with Joe. Individual or small group presentations should be made with the remaining trustees to explain the SEDP and the importance of CaledoniaTownship in this partnership. A similar approach can be made with OwossoTownship.
  • Begin the process to finalize measurable goals in the “Partnership Scorecard” for 2003 and goals for 2004.
  • Create a SEDP Investor Directory to be used with other investors as well as new prospective attraction clients.