By: The Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation (PCEDC) | 11.30.24
Advance Pottawatomie 2030 Executive Summary
Pottawatomie County Economic Development Corporation’s strategic plan, Advance Pottawatomie 2030, presents a comprehensive approach to driving economic growth, enhancing infrastructure, fostering regional collaboration, supporting small businesses, and developing the workforce. The plan centers on the organization’s five key objectives, with activities and performance metrics aligned to each goal. It also integrates insights from key partner documents, such as Plan Pottawatomie 2040 and the regional Economic Growth Plan recently completed by the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.
Vision
Our vision is to create a thriving, connected community where innovation and collaboration drive economic success for all.
Strategic Objectives
- Business Attraction and Retention
- Attract and retain businesses in key sectors through strategic marketing, proactive lead generation, and collaborative investment initiatives, while promoting a growth-focused mindset in local government and fostering intergovernmental planning.
- Enhance investor and business engagement with regular meetings, feedback surveys, and tailored support, and connect them with resources and opportunities.
- Infrastructure Enhancement
- Lead growth initiatives in Blue Township and along the Highway 24 corridor by organizing community forums, providing public information resources, and taking an active role in guiding development in these areas.
- Maximize infrastructure funding by creating a “Grant Opportunity Calendar” that aligns projects with economic priorities, coordinating with grant writers and municipalities to secure targeted grants for county-wide enhancements, such as industrial park improvements.
- Regional and Organizational Cooperation
- Launch and promote the “Buy, Build, Grow Pott. Co.” initiative as a county-wide call to action, driving community engagement through events, social media, and media outreach, and highlighting small community-led projects to foster local pride and active participation in regional development.
- Strengthen regional cooperation through partnerships with neighboring counties, quarterly collaboration councils, and cross-county planning for projects like the Highway 24 Corridor. Foster ongoing communication via events, scorecard updates, and resources, while spotlighting communities and residents across the county to build unity and shared goals.
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship Support
- Strengthen small business support through partnerships with SBDC and Innovate 24, promoting entrepreneurial programs, and facilitating new and existing e-community loans with targeted outreach.
- Measure and enhance impact by setting performance metrics for e-community loans, tracking job creation and business growth, and providing semi-annual reports to optimize support for local businesses.
- Workforce Development
- Support housing and childcare accessibility through collaboration on diverse housing projects, community-specific housing assessments, case studies of successful developments, and initiatives to expand affordable childcare options, including a proposed childcare stipend benefit for employees.
- Enhance workforce development by supporting WorkKeys testing, educational sponsorships, and partnerships with schools and local organizations, fostering career readiness and growth opportunities for youth and community members across the county.
Financial Overview
The organization’s budget is strategically aligned with our objectives, ensuring efficient use of resources to maximize impact. Funding is allocated to key initiatives, supporting our mission to drive economic prosperity.
Conclusion
By working together with our partners and leveraging our strengths, we aim to create a prosperous future for all residents.
Download the full Advance 2030 Strategic Plan.
