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Village officials in Gays Mills and Soldiers Grove appear ready to assist the Crawford County Economic Development Corporation (CCEDC) in launching an effort to recruit new businesses to the county and the jobs they would bring with them. The economic development corporation proposes to work with participating towns and villages to find businesses interested in local development-ready sites, like the industrial park in Soldiers Grove or the business park and redevelopment sites in Gays Mills.
The project’s aim is to use market data clearly presented in geographic information systems (GIS) format to make the strongest case possible for why a business should locate in Crawford County.
“All local governments in Crawford County have the option to participate,” said David Connolly, CCEDC Executive Director.
Because of the costs involved in the development of such a web-based GIS system, CCEDC staff has asked local governments to help it meet the costs of the project and hopes that local governments take an ownership role in the process.
The CCEDC Joint Business Recruitment Program has already received an affirmative recommendation of support in the amount of $250 from the Gays Mills Finance Committee. The Gays Mills
Village Board approved the expenditure at their meeting Monday night.
At their meeting on Thursday, August 2, the Soldiers Grove Village Board heard a summary of the program and forwarded the request for funding to the August meeting of the village’s Community Development Corporation. CCEDC staff made an identical presentation to the Wauzeka Village Board on Monday night.
“By attracting businesses, the intent is to grow the local economy through direct investment,” said Connolly. He noted that existing businesses should see benefits from it too.
“Successful business recruitment efforts result in more customers, closer suppliers, and new services available for everyone,” according to Connolly.
The JBRP is expected to become an important part of the services available countrywide from the Crawford County Economic Development Corporation. Anyone wishing to receive additional information should contact David Connolly at 608-326-0234.
