Creating the Future

Creating the Future

CREATING THE FUTURE:  PEOPLE, PROGRAMS AND PRIORITIES
2009-2011


Accelerate recruitment of high value jobs and capital investments to our region

 

  • Expand efforts to aggressively market and heighten visibility of the Kanawha Valley, both domestically and internationally, to businesses seeking relocation or expansion, focusing on four target sectors:  automotive, printing, chemical and energy.

 

  • Implement comprehensive international economic development plan, including recruitment of new foreign direct investment, joint ventures and new export assistance program.

 

  • Improve measurement and analysis of data relating to business recruitment and retention efforts in the Kanawha Valley.

 

Benchmarks:

 

·         Recruit/facilitate growth of 300 new jobs with a minimum $25 million economic impact to our region.

·         Showcase the region’s assets at a minimum four U.S. and one international trade show per year.  Implement comprehensive tracking system to engage/educate contacts for a minimum of two years past initial meeting.

·         Produce installment one of “Site Locator,” an action-based multi-media series that presents a compelling case for the advantages of expanding or relocating in the Kanawha Valley by August 2009.

·         Present quarterly International Advisory Council meetings to connect area businesses and Alliance leadership and staff with the resources and contacts that will facilitate expansion into the global marketplace.  Assist a minimum of five businesses to tap new export markets annually. 

·         Acquire and utilize new software that will provide precise analysis of recruitment and expansion activity and pinpoint trends and challenges; report developments on a timely basis to community leaders by September 2009.

 

  

Position local businesses to grow and succeed in a challenging environment

 

 

  • Expand one-on-one consultations with area businesses to proactively identify trends and challenges to growth within the local economy and recommend both macro-level responses and tailored solutions for individual companies.  

 

  • Increase awareness of the Alliance as a “go-to” resource for technical expertise and connections on issues that matter to business.

 

  • Maximize effectiveness of Alliance Enterprise Center (incubator) at creating jobs and advancing entrepreneurship.

 

Benchmarks:

 

·         Leverage Economic Development Committee as a rapid response team to address opportunities and threats to job growth and expansion.

·         Meet with a minimum of 100 businesses each year to position the Alliance as their proactive advocate and help resolve issues impeding growth.

·         Facilitate ongoing information-exchanges among Enterprise Center tenants;  implement measurement systems and graduation procedures; and continue infrastructure and sustainability enhancements to enterprise building.

·         Improve accessibility of Alliance and community resources and deliver measurable results to members through retention of an Investor Relations/Member Services Director.

 

 

Expand sites and connections to make Charleston “success-ready”

 

  • Accelerate efforts of Alliance Land Task Force to identify and develop shovel-ready sites and buildings to attract new businesses and accommodate job growth in our region.

 

  • Maintain an up-to-date inventory on available sites; be a resource for relocating businesses and to the local real estate industry.

 

  • Strengthen accessibility to Charleston for business and leisure travelers and enhance commercial activity by providing strong leadership on transportation enhancements and projects.

 

Benchmarks:

 

·         Leverage existing assets as centers for energy and chemical research.

    • Invest in at least one new industrial site development.
    • Create one new “shovel ready” site of 10 acres or more.
    • Be a strong voice at the national and state level for transportation enhancements.

 

 

Invest in people

 

  • Attract and retain young people in our region and develop the next generation of leaders by expanding programming and staff support for Generation Charleston.

 

  • Connect tomorrow’s leaders and today’s decision-makers and build their understanding of the business, government and community service resources that abound in our region through Leadership Kanawha Valley.

 

  • Build a stronger community by embracing the contributions of all of our citizens through inclusion initiatives such as the Professional Women’s Council, “OneKanawha” and the “Diversity Leadership Academy.”

 

  • Strengthen connections between the business, government and educational sectors to build a workforce that is prepared for success, today and tomorrow.

 

  • Empower citizens to achieve their full potential by increasing awareness of educational and career opportunities in our region and through expansion of specialized training programs, “College Summit” scholarships, summer internship initiatives and open forums on cutting-edge issues.

 

Benchmarks:

 

·         Grow Generation Charleston to 1,000 by end of 2011.

·         Graduate 90 individuals ready to take active leadership roles in their place of business or in the community through LKV.

·         Increase the business and community leaders participating in the Alliance’s Professional Women’s Council by more than 300 percent (65 to 200 members by 2011).

·         Launch “Opportunity Academy,” a week-long workshop to be held each summer for guidance counselors and teachers to increase their awareness of career opportunities in technical fields for students not attending four-year colleges.     

 

 

Build a community we can be proud to call home

 

 

  • Expand innovative strategies for invigorating downtown Charleston and supporting downtown businesses by leveraging the success of efforts such as ArtWalk, public art projects and support of community events. Enhance downtown housing options.

 

  • Promote sustainable development projects such as Gateway Greenspace, the Kanawha Trestle and related trail development, and gateway improvement projects which make an impression on guests and residents as well on Leon Sullivan Way, the Greenbrier Street Gateway and other gateways into the Capitol and other areas of our community.

·         Engage growing numbers of citizens and business people as partners for positive change through unique educational programs and events such as “ThinkTank” forums, op-ed pieces, arts incubator initiatives and the “We Love Our Community” awards program.

  • Promote growth and opportunity in one of Charleston’s most vital neighborhoods, the East End by expanding free wireless Internet service (within the business district), technical assistance to area merchants, streetscape and public art initiatives, special events such as the East End Garden Showcase, East End Yard Sale and “green” neighborhood projects. 

 

 

Benchmarks:

 

·         Create two designs for new multi-family housing in downtown Charleston and develop visual concepts for each.  Create at least one pro-forma for a building renovation based on market study by University of Charleston by February 2010.

·         Complete fundraising and launch construction of Gateway Greenspace by August 2009.

·         Finalize improvement plans for Greenbrier Street as a gateway and welcoming point to the region by October 2009.

·         Host 30 ArtWalks (10 per year) and increase attendance by 50 percent.

·         Produce and distribute downtown dining guides (at least four per year) for special events and conventions.

·         Build “We Love Our Community” awards program into the city’s premiere showcase for inspiring and honoring community service.

·         Expand “Eco East End” initiatives through education campaign showcasing best sustainability practices for businesses and distribution of energy efficient light bulbs and environmentally friendly canvas bags.

·         Double participation in East End façade grant program, awarding $30,000 by 2011.

 

 

 

Be a catalyst for change/drive our destiny

 

  • Pro-actively identify, seize and speak out on opportunities for leading our region towards a better future  

 

  • Define and build momentum for the policy and legislative reforms that will lead to growth and improvements for our community  

 

  • Engage and empower Alliance leadership, staff and business and community leaders as  effective advocates for our mission

 

  • Enhance image/reputation of our region through expanded national media outreach

 

 Benchmarks:

 

·         Develop and implement issues/opportunities management process to move the needle on issues that affect our region’s economy, its people and its reputation

·         Track and magnify impact of legislative agenda through annual scorecards and candidate endorsements.

·         Expand use of social media and build the Alliance site as the online gateway for information on relocating or expanding in the Kanawha Valley and for information that matters to local businesses, young professionals and area residents engaged in community affairs.

·         Conduct annual spokesperson training for Board, staff and key volunteers to enhance their effectiveness as advocates for the Alliance and our region

 

 

 

Your Return on Investment

 

The Charleston Area Alliance “Return on Investment” campaign engages visionary business and community leaders in sustaining the Alliance’s progress in advancing these critical priorities through their annual investments of $5,000 and up.  Contributors participating at this level join our exclusive “Investors” panel, and enjoy a range of privileges and unparalleled partnership opportunities that enable them to showcase their commitment to the community.

 

 

Return on Investment

Annual Investor Opportunities

 

Chairman’s Circle

$35,000+ Annual Investment

 

President’s Council

$30,000+ Annual Investment

 

Cornerstone Partner

$20,000+ Annual Investment

 

Executive Partner

$10,000 Annual Investment

 

Vision Builder

$5,000 Annual Investment

  

 

  

An exclusive Investor benefit package will be tailored for your level of participation and area of interest. Investor benefits may include:

 

  • Exclusive invitations to “Investors Institute” quarterly briefings with senior government officials and business leaders
  • Inclusion in high-level networking and social events
  • Building naming opportunities
  • Priority consideration for Alliance leadership participation
  • Prestigious event sponsorships
  • Program and committee partnerships
  • Exclusive marketing and branding opportunities
  • “Concierge” service through Director of Investor Relations

 

We would be pleased to explore these options with you.

 

 

But the real “Return on Investment” can be seen in the progress that your support makes possible:

 

  • Economic vitality and growth for our region
  • New jobs and new customers for your businesses
  • Capital investments and improvements in your community
  • Legislation and policies that promote bottom-line results
  • Retention of our youth and growing the talent that fuels innovation
  • Enhanced quality of life and quality of place
  • A promising future in a community that you and your family can be proud to call home.

 

Drive Destiny

 

We invite you join your peers who are collectively shaping the future of Charleston – and making a wise investment in their own success – through their Investor-level participation in the Charleston Area Alliance. 

 

As an Investor, you join prestigious group of individuals and businesses that is driving the destiny of our community.

 

At the Charleston Area Alliance, we’re not waiting for things to change we’re making it happen every day throughout our community.  As an Investor, you will too.