Business Retention is a Key Economic Development Tool
In 2008, Reinhart Food Services, formerly Catanzaro Produce, needed to expand its local operations. The Wisconsin-based company had the option to expand at its Lockland plant or in another state. There were several issues the company needed to resolve before making the decision, including uncertainty with the I-75 expansion and how their highway-abutting property might be affected. The site was landlocked, so they needed to buy surrounding properties, and needed assistance with financing. An issue with a neighboring business also needed to be resolved.
The Hamilton County Development Co. (HCDC) had developed a relationship with the company over many years, so when a business retention call was made to the local and out-of-state executives, HCDC staff learned these issues and helped resolve them. Our Economic Development Office set up a meeting between the Ohio Department of Transportation and the company to inform them about the plans for the I-75 expansion. We assisted with the property purchases and processed an enterprise zone agreement that the County Commissioners approved in 2008. And finally, HCDC looked into the issue with the neighboring business and informed Reinhart that the regulatory agency that dealt with the issue was already investigating the problem.
The Economic Development Office of HCDC regularly meets with businesses to find out their growth plans, what support and services they need and whether they have immediate needs that HCDC can help with. The program is a key tool to help retain existing businesses in Hamilton County. The Economic Development Office staff visits about 75 businesses a year, with the firms ranging in size from smaller entrepreneurial companies to those with more than 1,000 employees. EDO targets growing companies and also meets with companies that have traditionally provided good jobs for Hamilton County residents. This effort allows us to get first-hand reports on the issues businesses face, determine how we can provide or coordinate assistance and compile an overall picture of business health in the region.
In 2008, survey results indicated that 79 percent of the responding companies projected their employment needs would increase, while 21 percent said the job outlook would be stable.
EDO also asked companies to rank public services such as water, sewer, gas and other utilities, as well as public safety and roads. Overall, responding businesses rated the majority of services or programs as “above average” or “excellent.”
The survey also collects information about business demographics to help HCDC spot trends, workforce issues to help us coordinate with job agencies and trade schools, and data on the short-term outlooks for industries.
HCDC’s retention efforts paid off again recently when Cincinnati icon Graeter’s decided to expand its ice cream plant and headquarters in Cincinnati after considering southeastern Indiana and Northern Kentucky. Hamilton County Commission President David Pepper attended a business retention meeting with EDO when it was learned that Graeter’s was looking outside of Hamilton County. While the City of Cincinnati was the lead in the retention efforts, the county showed the company that all levels of government appreciated their business and wanted them to stay in our community.
All of the county commissioners accompany HCDC on the retention visits to gain first-hand knowledge and to share information about changes being implemented by the county on issues that directly affect the business. The business retention program is key to economic development in Ohio and Hamilton County is fortunate enough to have three commissioners who recognize the importance of retaining existing businesses.
For information on the business retention program, feel free to contact Catherine Fitzgerald at cfitzgerald@hcdc.com, or call 513-631-8292.
