Economic Development - CDCC - Central Delaware Chamber of Commerce

David R. Burris, Vice Chair

Committees:
Kent Economic Partnership, Inc.
Tourism
Transportation
Delaware Civic Center Arena
Infrastructure Committee
Agriculture Business
Special Projects

1. Kent Economic Partnership, Inc. (KEP):
   Daniel Wolfensberger, CEO.
   www.kentpartnership.org
   302-678-3028
   
   A. Marketing of Kent County
   
   (1)Advertising/Promotion
         Continue the marketing/advertising of Kent County and take advantage of joint advertising 
         opportunities with State and Local agencies. Maintain the Kent Economic Partnership
         Web site with Delaware.net at www.kentpartnership.org. Cooperate with the Delaware
         Economic Development office on joint marketing projects, such as coop-advertising, 
         telemarketing, etc. Keep the National Association of Manufacturers Site Selection
         Membership.
   
   (2)Conference and Trade Shows
          Attend trade shows and conferences based on the marketing program. Whenever
          possible, cooperate with the Delaware Economic Development Office in attending those
          shows.
   
   (3)Foreign Direct Investment
          Represent Kent County on the governor's International Trade Council and continue to work
          with other organizations involved in bringing foreign direct investment to Kent County.
          Participate with the Delaware Economic Development Office in those Foreign Direct 
          Investment initiatives that have the potential to benefit Kent County. Maintain KEP 
          European office in Brussels, Belgium.
   
   (4)Prospecting Trips/Host Prospects/Development of Friendship Cities/Counties:
          On an as needed basis and whenever possible in cooperation with the Delaware
          Economic Development Office as well as other groups, undertake prospecting trips to
          targeted companies. Host prospects who are interested in Kent County. Work with the City 
          of Dover and Kent County on friendship agreements and visit/host delegations from 
          foreign countries.
   
   (5)Generate approximately 250 Inquiries annually:
          It is the goal of our efforts to generate as many inquiries as possible.
   
   (6)Retention of Existing Companies:
          Continue the Business Retention Team visitation program by working with existing
          companies to retain them and to encourage them to expand. Visit local companies
          regularly.
   
   B. Fundraising
   
   (1)Corporate Fundraising:
          Continue fundraising and solicitations from Kent County and Delaware Businesses and
          Industries. Solicit new contributions.
   
   (2)City of Dover:
          Apply for funds from the City of Dover.
   
   (3)Kent County Municipalities:
          Solicit funds annually from all Kent County communities.
   
   (4)Levy Court
          Apply for funds from County Government.
   
   (5)State Government:
          Request funds from State of Delaware.
   
   C. Administrative/Office Operations
   
   (1)Inquiries:
          Respond individually to inquiries received.
   
   (2)Community Database/Demo-graphics/Surveys/Reports:
         Surveys/Reports: Update the Kent County Profile on a regular basis. Produce annual
         updates of Kent County demographics through Cladtas. Produce Reports and Surveys for
         specific projects as needed.
   
   D. Communication/Cooperation/Public Relations
   
   (1)KEP - Board of Directors - Membership:
          Encourage representation from all Kent County stake holders on the KEP Board.
   
   (2)Annual Program of Work:
         Publish an Annual Program of Work and distribute to all financial sponsors, elected
         officials, and Board of Directors.
   
   (5)Affiliations/Appointments:
         The director is appointed to the Delaware Unemployment Compensation Com-mission 
         and the Delaware Council on Vocational Technical Education.
   
   (6) Cooperation with other agencies related to our efforts.
         Cooperate with  World Trade Center-Delaware and other agencies that may be able to
         assist in reaching our goals.
   
   (7) Publish Kent County Profile:
         Publish an annual county profile through a partnership with Independent Newspapers, Inc.
    
2. Kent County Aeropark
   
   A. Continue to administer the Kent County AeroPark Development Authority.
   
   B. Promote and market the AeroPark to potential tenants in and outside of Kent County.
   
   C. Support as requested, the tenants in the Park to ensure that the companies continue to prosper.
   
   D. Seek funding from federal and/or State Government for improvement as needed to accommodate future companies.
    
3. Smyrna and Milford Industrial Parks:
   Assist the Town of Smyrna and City of Milford in the recruitment of tenants for their industrial parks.
    
4. Privately owned Kent County Industrial Sites and Parks:
   Assist all privately owned industrial sites and parks in the recruitment and retention of new tenants.
    
5. Garrison Oak Technology Park.
   Continue to market the park to potential tenants.
    
6. Kent County Tourism Corporation
   T/A Kent County Convention and Visitors Bureau: Cindy Small, Executive Director: www.visitdover.com
   
   A. Direct Old Dover Days festival in the spring and Amish Country Bike Tour each fall. A
        marketing/advertising budget of $260,000 has emphasis on securing more meetings and 
        conference business.
   
   B. Assist attractions with itineraries and packaging to solicit overnight visitation by tour groups.
   
   C. Continue to work with all county constituents as well as the Central Delaware Chamber, 
        Kent Economic Partnership, and the Downtown Partnership organizations. 
    
7. Transportation, Frank Fantini, Chairman.
   
   A. This group takes a comprehensive overview of transportation issues. They work to insure
        that an adequate transportation infrastructure exists in Kent County to serve existing needs 
        and to be able to accommodate growth.
   
   B. Keep the membership informed on transportation issues.
    
8. Agriculture/Business:
   Continue to develop a closer relationship with the agricultural community whenever possible.
    
9. Work with Minority Business Association
   to encourage minority business in Kent County.