While many places concentrate on attracting new businesses to their communities, Kosciusko Economic Development Corp.'s George Robertson talked about business retention.
It was just one of the many topics the executive director for KEDCo. touched on during KEDCo.'s board of directors meeting Wednesday.
Robertson noted that 70 percent of all new jobs are created by businesses already in the community.
While 15 to 20 percent come from startups and entrepreneurs, only 10 to 15 percent come from attraction of new businesses.
Robertson said attraction can't be successful in a community if they aren't successful in fostering current business and startups.
During a presentation, Robertson also noted that most job creation in the United States is from companies with less than 20 employees.
"We need to create an entrepreneurial culture," said Robertson, "and celebrate that."
Robertson said the recent creation of a hall of fame is one way the community is developing that culture.
In terms of attraction, Robertson said that there is a trend, due to rising fuel costs, that some companies are moving from China back to the U.S. because the cheap labor doesn't outweigh freight costs.
Another way KEDCo. will address its business culture is by creating a committee that is designed to oversee the development and implementation of a small business and entrepreneurial program.
Robertson also said that he recently met with County Administrator Ron Robinson.
Robertson said he told Robinson that the community is a great location for businesses but that real estate sites need to be developed.
"We need to move every legitimate site to pre-shovel ready," said Robertson.
Robertson said the environmental studies for sites need to be done and infrastructure agreements with towns need to be in place.
The first site KEDCo. is focusing on is the Beers property near Milford.
Robertson has already met with Milford Town Council about possible voluntary annexation of the property into Milford.
The Milford Economic Development Commission recently requested that CR 1300N be extended from Ind. 15 to Old 15.
The county commissioners told Robinson to go forward with a feasibility study on it this week.
KEDCo. members are currently working on a business survey.
The survey has 27 volunteers, and each volunteer will survey no more than five businesses.
The survey will collect intelligence in various areas to identify gaps in the workforce.
They will determine information like what the average commute for employees is and what positions the companies have trouble hiring.
KEDCo. elected its officers Wednesday.
Max Courtney, Mutual Bank, will once again serve as chairman with Greg Maxwell, Farmers State Bank, serving as vice chair.
Joe Kessie, Lake City Bank, will serve as treasurer and John Boal, Grace College, will serve as secretary.
Josh Gordon, Tower Bank, will serve as the vice chair for the marketing and attraction committee. Jim Tinkey will serve as vice chair for the retention and expansion committee. Dan Brown will serve as vice chair for the infrastructure committee.
The board approved adding Steve Miller from Kosciusko Community Hospital to the board.
