Author: Godwin Apaliyah

The Relevance of Community Strategic Planning in Corporate Location Decision-Making

by

In recent years, many communities have been encouraged to invest in “greenfield” development sites as a way to attract large manufacturing and distribution operations. This is also taking place at a time when such businesses are changing the way they make decisions about where to locate and expand. These business decisions have far-reaching implications for communities. Some businesses may decide to visit and negotiate for community incentives; others may want to know what communities are doing to improve the business climate. However, these incentives alone may not secure a relocation or expansion project for the community. It is becoming apparent that businesses are also interested in the contents of a community’s strategic plan.

A community’s strategic plan might not seem important. However, when it considers things such as a community’s workforce, business attraction and retention approaches, and an integration of economic and community development, the plan can be very helpful in expediting the site selection process.

How can strategic planning help businesses decide where to locate?

Companies look for employees with experience in cutting-edge manufacturing, robotics, and other fields. A strategic plan enables community leaders to bring existing key business and educational institution leaders together to discuss each other’s needs and find solutions for them.

Community members participate in community strategic planning process

Community members share in the community strategic planning process.

Although attracting new businesses is a common economic development strategy, research indicates that about 80 percent of all new jobs in a community come from existing businesses. A strategic plan that takes into account the need to retain and expand a community’s existing businesses may indicate to potential new businesses that the community is dedicated to assisting its businesses to become more competitive.

Companies want to see how communities foster social and economic integration by the way they plan to address local issues such as housing, education, healthcare, and cultural diversity. They also want to see how all stakeholders — residents, community-based organizations, public agencies, and the private sector — work together to promote residents and community quality of life.

Fayette County, Ohio recently revised and updated its strategic plan to provide a vision and a vehicle for creating short- and long-term community and economic growth for residents and businesses in the community. The vision considered all the vital elements: workforce, business attraction and retention, and importance of integration of economic and community development. The community’s workforce plan involves implementing youth workforce programs, including a Manufacturing Day Tour and a Career Expo for high school students.

The community’s business retention and expansion strategies support and develop existing businesses. This pro-business attitude can add to the attractiveness of the community as an excellent environment for new businesses. Most importantly, the community has nearly 1800 acres of “greenfield” development acreage (1,600 acres for the county and 200 acres for the City of Washington Court House). These “greenfield” development sites have infrastructure, including utilities and water, available on site for investors seeking a business location.

Community strategic planning has helped in Fayette County. How might it help in your community?

Reference:

http://www.areadevelopment.com/corporate-site-selection-factors/Q4-2017/importance-of-community-strategic-planning-location-decision.shtml

Apaliyah, GodwinGodwin Tayese Apaliyah is an Extension educator in Fayette County.

If You Want to Go Far, Go Together; and If You Want to Transform, enVISION Fayette County

by

Even with all the high-tech aids at our disposal, getting from the proverbial ‘point A’ to ‘point B’ these days can be a daunting task. There is one old-school approach, however, that still has its merits. That is, one can still find direction and goal-setting to be much easier with a little bit of planning.

Strategic planning is a tool that is useful for guiding day-to-day decisions and also for evaluating progress and making course adjustments along the way. Its principles can be applied on a personal, organizational, or community level.

On a community level, it could be referred to as comprehensive land use planning. Why would one want to create or update a comprehensive land use plan?

  • To revisit the vision of what residents want for the future of their community
  • To see the big picture of how the community’s economy, environment, and culture are intertwined
  • To obtain a reassurance that everyone in the community shares in its improved well-being
  • To select and agree on some common goals of the community
  • To find out how much time, money, and other resources are needed to support positive community change
  • To gain the support of Federal, State, private and non-profit partners in developing one’s community
Fayette County enVISION sector groups

Sector groups in discussion

Strategic planning principles were applied as part of the recent enVision Fayette County effort. Fayette County Extension played a central role in convening local and external resources and community residents to revise and update the Fayette County comprehensive land use strategic plan.

One of the partners was OSU’s Knowlton School. Graduate students from the City and Regional Planning program helped with data collection and development of the final report. In addition, to engage a diverse group of county residents, students used an online survey to collect feedback on priorities and goals and a website and Facebook page to communicate the planning process and opportunities for engagement. They participated in community events and engaged with residents to discuss community needs and concerns. Furthermore, they hosted four interactive public meetings to familiarize community stakeholders with the planning process.

The participating stakeholders were many, and included, for example: townships, villages and municipalities, county government, school districts and the non-profit/for profit organizations and agencies. In addition to identifying directions and resources available for pursuing them, participants realized the value of working together in pursuit of community goals.

Fayette County Leaders and OSU Students

Fayette County local leaders and OSU grad students

‘Old-school’ strategic planning mixed with high-tech tools for engaging a variety of stakeholders; a winning approach for moving a community from point A to point B.

To learn more about this local effort, contact Godwin Apaliyah. To learn more about ways to engage others in organizational or community planning, see OSU Extension’s organizational capacity programs.

Godwin Apaliyah is a County Extension Educator in Fayette County (Miami Valley EERA).

Improving Community Health Outcomes with Geo-Caching

by

What do you get when you combine a leadership program class assignment with a county health outcome ranking of 76 (of 88)? A real-life ‘Pokemon-type’ outdoor treasure-hunting game using GPS-enabled devices.

geocache-1a-2016-09-29

The Leadership Fayette alumni class of 2015 recently launched the geo-caching project in Washington Court House as a part of the community’s efforts to improve its health, physical and fitness outcomes of residents and visitors. Like a high-tech game of hide and seek, geo-caching appeals to people of all ages.

Anyone can participate at no cost and engage in as much or little physical activity as they desire. Because many approach geo-caching from a group or team perspective, they may make the hunt a race or a relay.

From an educational perspective, many of the caches are hidden at important historical or geographical sites in the community. Uncovering the caches of educational information helps increase awareness of an area’s cultural assets and can help build a sense of team when done with others.

It is too soon to know of the health benefits of this Fayette Leadership alumni class project. But it is clear that the local leageocache-2-2016-09-29dership development program has enabled participants to come together to collaborative in addressing a significant community challenge.

You can learn more about geocaching here.  To learn more about Leadership Fayette, go here.

 

Godwin Apaliyah is a Community Development Extension Educator in Fayette County (Miami Valley EERA).

The Future is Ours: Involve us now in our Community Readiness Processes

by

In most communities, people say that they care about their youth and believe that there should be youth programs. Another view is that young people themselves can shape the communities in which they live. Most youth are in some way affected by the community in which they live  and they have much they can contribute to that community’s growth and prosperity.

Community Readiness 2016-04-21

Youth in Fayette County participated in a discussion on the future of OSU Extension in rural communities.

In Fayette County, youth are involved in programs such as Junior Achievement and 4-H Youth Development to stimulate lifelong learning of values and skills. Recently, the youth aged 14 to 30 were engaged in deliberating the future role of OSU Extension in communities like Fayette County. This effort focused on enhancing skills, building confidence, and fostering a sense of ownership to prepare them for what lies ahead. Among the discussion was the following:

  • What are three words that would describe your community?
  • What are the strengths of your current community?
    • What are the strengths of the community you want to live in in the future?
    • What are the resources needed to get the ideal community?

Participants indicated a desire for a close-knit group full of caring and giving residents ready to help others. They also thought the community (technologically, socially or within the government) needs to continue to move forward.

These fruitful discussions presented a significant opportunity for advancing Extension education and programming, and contributed significantly to the development of Extension programs and policies as it looks into the future. Also, a continuous engagement of the youth in Extension programs provides an opportunity for long-term involvement and ownership of community and Extension programs.

Reference:

Brennan, M. A., Barnett, Rosemary V., Baugh, Eboni (2007). Youth Involvement in Community Development: Implications and Possibilities for Extension. Journal of Extension, Vol 45 (4).

(Submitted by Godwin Apaliyah, Extension Educator, Fayette County & Miami Valley EERA)

Roundtable Discussions: Forum for economic development of our local communities

by

Community economic development roundtable discussions are designed to create a level of dialogue necessary to explore the potential for creating manufacturing, industrial and trade jobs that will impact the lives of the unemployed and underemployed in communities.

Community Forums 2015-06-04

Photo credit: recordherald.com

Such a roundtable discussion was recently held in Fayette County, Ohio, the second in the past 12 months, aimed at promoting social and economic equity using state, regional and local resources in the forging of new and sustainable communities. The event brought together local stakeholders with state and regional economic development players to address significant community and economic development challenges; with the goal of cultivating a broader collaboration among business, government and civil society communities.

Topics discussed ranged from gas pipeline projects and how the counties can work together for the benefit of the region, to ways to recruit and attract business to the area. Conversation also focused on job creation and retention strategies, workforce and skills development issues, and state policies that undermine local economic development growth.

As Extension professionals, the roles we play in such community conversations can vary depending on the issues and the stages of the educational process. At times we are “conveners” who identify a public issue(s) and key stakeholders, gain their support and cooperation in the educational process, and work with them to design and carry out a process to achieve a mutually satisfying outcome. As “networkers,” we identify and link people and resources to increase people’s knowledge of public issues and their ability to participate in public decision-making. And finally, at times we are “diplomats” who move tactfully between stakeholders to encourage them to work together through an educational process. Ultimately we are educators focused on strengthening individual and family lives through research-based educational programming in collaboration with individuals, families, communities, business and industry, regional and state agencies, for example.

For more information, please view the material posted at pittsburghmovingforward.org or recordherald.com/news/home_top-news/152050297/County-hosts-economic-roundtable.

(Submitted by Godwin Apaliyah, County Extension Educator, Fayette County & Miami Valley EERA; Fayette County Community Development Director)

 

Helping find employee/employer ‘fit’ via OhioMeansJobs

by

Whether you are looking for gainful employment and career advancement or you are seeking highly qualified and motivated associates for your business, finding the right fit is key. The new OhioMeansJobs website is designed to assist employers in broadening their choices and gaining access to the large pool of data of potential employees from the State of Ohio.

OSU Extension, in partnership with the Fayette County Economic Development Department, recently held a training session focused on the features of the new OhioMeansJobs website designed to assist them in attracting, hiring, retaining and advancing their workforce needs. The site also enables employers to post jobs, search resumés and take advantage of federal, state and local employment programs. The training was open to all businesses including the county’s eight major employers. Participating companies included:

  • TFO Tech, Inc.OhioMeansJobs Website Employer Training - Post
  • Stage Stores Distribution Center
  • Domtar
  • Sugar Creek Packing
  • Mars Pet Care
  • Wal-Mart Super Stores
  • YUSA Corporation
  • McKesson Drug Company

The Fayette County Chamber of Commerce, Fayette County Jobs and Family Services, Southern State Community College and the OhioMeansJobs local office provided support for the training.

(Submitted by Godwin Apaliyah, Extension Educator, Fayette County & Miami Valley EERA)