The Washington County Economic Alliance will receive $3,750 to hire a national economic development business consultant to conduct and facilitate an in-depth analysis that reviews the community’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). The analysis will also determine key county assets that can be heavily marketed to site consultants.
The organization is one of 14 in the state that will share $75,000 in grants for projects to make them more attractive to companies looking to expand or locate new facilities.
In its third year, Entergy’s Excellerator Competitive Communities program provided 50/50 matching grants in three categories: marketing, site readiness and organizational excellence.
Washington County’s grant was for organizational excellence.
“We are matching the $ 3750 from Entergy with our funds to bring in Dean Barber of Barber Business Advisors to interview community stakeholders and to review our economic development assets (green sites, buildings, transportation, etc) to help us focus on the different types of industry we should put our strongest efforts in recruiting,” said Cary Karlson, Executive Director of WCEA.
Karlson said is it important to assess and review SWOT.
“Barber Business Advisors besides working on rural location projects like ours, he has also completed some site selection projects,” he said. “Dean’s SWOT will look at our community from an outsider viewpoint and determine what we should put our strongest efforts on…whether it is industrial recruitment, tourism or entrepreneurs. “
Karlson said though WCEA has a firm grasp on its SOT, other professional perspectives are important to consider.
“ I would bet he will give us some additional ideas to at least consider,” he said. “ I believe after the report is complete, we will have some action items for us to review and work on. I also believe he will suggest particular industrial sectors that we should spend our efforts recruiting.”
Entergy representatives said these are worthy investments.
“The health and structure of a community’s economic development organization is critical to its success,” said Ed Gardner, Entergy Mississippi director of economic development “Their leaders guide and facilitate economic and community development efforts, so we support nurturing successful economic development organizations.”
This year, marketing grant applications topped the list for the innovative program.
“Our communities are enhancing the ways they promote their communities to site selectors,” said Gardner. “This will ultimately lead to more innovative economic development organizations that use the latest trends in marketing technology and communication.”
He also noted that developing and maintaining quality industrial sites is a priority.
“The company continues to invest in site readiness that supports industrial growth and substantiality,” Gardner said. “The sites that we develop in partnership with our communities today will house the companies and workforce of the future.”
Along with assessments and grants, the Excellerator program offers training and workshops to all counties in Entergy’s service area. The Entergy Mississippi economic development team works with communities throughout the year to help prepare them for growth.
“This is about more than enhancing economic development. We’re investing in our communities so that customers can have opportunities without having to leave the state,” said Gardner. “Through this program, we’re helping people stay and thrive in Mississippi.”
