Economic Development Marketing and Site Selection (2.0 credits)

In the new economy, economic developers and their allies must develop and implement a comprehensive marketing approach to their regional preparation and promotion efforts. This course examines the comprehensive marketing approach and links it to the strategic planning and research program for economic development agencies. It presents techniques of market analysis, strategic marketing, competitor analysis, identifying the best market mix, economic development promotion, and prospect handling. It focuses on understanding the process of site selection from the standpoint of the business prospect, and includes a market plan case study.

Regional and Community Analysis for Economic Development (2.0 credits)

Information is critical to every economic development program. Communities need information to devise and implement an effective strategic plan. New business prospects must have detailed, accurate information about a community in order to make wise location decisions. Existing business and entrepreneurial programs require information on business trends, market potential, and competitive conditions. To provide these kinds of information, all economic development agencies need an understanding of data sources and availability, methods of analysis, and effective presentation techniques. The purpose of this two-day course is to provide the fundamentals of community analysis in order to meet these critical information needs. The course lays out a framework for information gathering, analysis, and presentation for a community. Since the community is the basic building block of economic development, the course is appropriate for practitioners and researchers at the community, multi-county, and state levels, and highlights business retention and expansion research.

Economic Impact Analysis (1.5 credits)

This two-day course describes what economic impact analysis is and what its applications are. Different economic impact analysis models are described, and class exercises demonstrate how the nature of a project or an event results in different impacts. Data needs, methods of analysis, and interpretation and application of results are emphasized.

Retail Analysis and Development (1.5 credits)

Until recently, not much attention was given to retail development. Now, many communities are realizing the value of targeted retail development not only to build the property tax base and to increase sales tax revenue, but to add to a community's quality of life. Using a hands-on approach, this course presents the basics of retail analysis, information needs, methods of analysis, and retail development marketing in a two-day course schedule.

Planning Strategically for the New Economy (2.5 credits)

Regions and communities that are successful in economic development invariably have a clear vision of their future destination and a sound plan to get there. This three-day course teaches the process of planning strategically as a fundamental requirement for success in the new economy using practical examples and class exercises. How long does it take to develop a plan? Who needs to be included in the process? How much does it cost? Should a consultant be hired? What should the final plan look like?  What time period should the plan cover?  These are just a few of the key questions that we will be addressing in this course.

Advanced Business Retention and Expansion (1.5 credits)

This course presents advanced techniques of business retention and expansion.  It emphasizes a strategic marketing approach to identifying key existing businesses.  Recognizing that most BR&E programs are long on the “R” and short on the “E,” the course stresses advanced techniques for expanding existing business.  It also examines several best practices case studies.