Because Greenfield has experience in each of the separate areas that make up an economic development strategic plan, we can, and have worked with many economic development organizations to develop long term plans, with priorities, strategies and tasks to grow the tax base and create jobs in their respective geography.
We do not have a formula for strategic planning. We look at each assignment and geography as a new challenge and opportunity to find creative solutions that will be practical to implement and provide keys to success for that specific geography. We can provide these plans at any level of effort - from a comprehensive, detailed plan with in-depth research on each of the demographic categories, extensive stakeholder interviews and community visioning sessions, SWOT analysis of assets, target market sectors based on unique or significant assets, marketing strategies, peer community comparisons and detailed recommendations taking a year to complete; to a brief windshield tour with bulleted, summary recommendations. Our 80 years of combined experience give us the ability to quickly see the important issues and focus on the solutions for those, or know the process and many resources for a comprehensive look into both the direct and indirect issues that affect economic success. Below are some examples of Greenfield’s approach to the Strategy, Art and Science of Strategic Planning: strategy
Issue: A planned new interstate quality bypass will change local transportation patterns in Union County, NC. How can the Towns of Wingate and Marshville take advantage of this new asset to develop tax base and jobs?
Recommendation: Rather than propose just a new industrial park along the route (what they thought they needed), we also proposed a brand new downtown location for Wingate. The existing downtown had been decimated along the high speed US 74 and the students at Wingate University had no places to gather. We wanted to give the town an anchor and a center, and keep the students from driving to amenities. We also recommended a water park (Charlotte metro did not have one) along the new highway as a regional tourism destination. art
Issue: The Raeford-Hoke EDC wanted a strategic look at their economic development program, but did not have the money to fund a major plan.
Recommendation: Greenfield spent one day in Hoke County and just a few hours of focused research. We did an extensive windshield tour of the County’s assets, and discussed major issues with the Executive Director. Based on our 80+ years of combined experience in economic development, we were able to quickly focus on SWOT issues and make several very practical recommendations, documented in a brief letter outline, that they have been able to implement—all for less than $5,000. science
Issue: In the Jacksonville Onslow County NC military based economy, research revealed very low average wages, and no pathways for trailing spouses to create a career ladder.
Recommendation: Create an innovative social media platform that coordinates people around tasks, not employers. The site could preference match military contract needs with military dependents and their skills. It would allow the skill providers to coordinate with each other for specific projects and build relationships that are independent and portable as they move from base to base around the country. |
Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare."
Chinese Proverb
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