Check on whom local business development groups are courting
Todd Woody tracked Barry Broome, chief executive of the Greater Phoenix Economic Council, on his mission to lure solar companies to Arizona for the Los Angeles Times. Woody writes:
‘”We’re not interested in succeeding at the expense of California,” [Broome] said. “California’s going to need Arizona as an energy market and we need an export industry. We can’t continue to just live off housing and tourism.”
Arizona’s construction-dependent economy cratered with the collapse of the housing boom. The solar industry could anchor a more sustainable green economy, Broome said.”
Woody interviewed executives in Silicon Valley, asking if Broome had approached them and found out he had.
Today’s Tip: Check with the local business development group to see whom they are courting.
What are business development groups in your area doing to draw businesses? Check with the head cheerleader’s assistant to find out what’s going on and where the executive is focusing his or her attention.
Stories like this provide a good look at the proactive steps local economies are taking to lure jobs and diversify the economy. In a recent post, Sun makes story about Las Vegas Recovery Personal, I wrote about the award The Las Vegas Sun received for looking at how the city needs to diversify itself to avoid economic hits. It’s a story that could apply across the country and starting with the business development group could get you ahead of it.
