Long Term Strategies

Formed in 2006 through progressive political and private-sector leadership, AACED is a non-profit Council of Government focused on improving the overall economy in the Ashland area.  We will strive to be a premiere example in the state and nation of economic development success through a public-private partnership.  We are committed to representing the public interest in all of our endeavors, while attracting private dollars through our commitment to:

• Focus on results and creating value for our local businesses and citizens.
• Aid in the creation of new wealth and exporting of products and services outside of our local economy.
• Increase quality employment opportunities for the citizens of Ashland County and immediately surrounding areas.
• Position Ashland County (and the Loudonville Industrial Park in Holmes County) as an excellent environment for business investment and success, as well as individual growth and accomplishment.

We will accomplish our goals by utilizing the following Strategic Action Programs, listed under the widely-recognized activities of the economic development professional field:

Business Retention & Expansion (R&E)—As economic development has evolved, R&E has become the most important role of the economic developer.  It consists of ongoing interaction and consulting with the business and industry that make up a county’s economic base.  The economic base consists of those organizations that have the potential to export products/services beyond the local economy’s borders, thus creating new wealth and good-paying jobs.  The AACED R&E program consists of the following ongoing activities:

• Continually update the Business Resource Guide and share with businesses.  The Guide is a comprehensive listing of agencies that provide advice and/or funding for start-up or established enterprises.
• Strive to visit approximately 50 businesses per year and clearly document needs, opportunities, and job growth.  We will focus on adding value to the local economy by serving as the primary focal point for business when they are seeking assistance.  Through our work with key resource providers such as workforce development agencies, we will be able to solve problems and help businesses capitalize on opportunities.

• Develop, plan, and coordinate seminars to address current business issues.
• Plan and coordinate Business Roundtables for local executives to meet with political leadership throughout the county and discuss the business environment.
• Along with area Chambers of Commerce, plan an annual Business Appreciation Week.  In addition to networking, educational, and recognition events, AACED will focus on surveying companies to document annual job creation and investment statistics in Ashland County and the Loudonville Industrial Park in Holmes County.

Business Recruitment—Recruiting new industry to a local economy requires a great deal of ingenuity on the part of the economic development staff.  Modern businesses and site location consultants do much of their due diligence through the internet.  As such, a major focus of AACED is to maintain up-to-date online profiles of sites and buildings, primarily for industrial development.  Other ongoing recruitment strategies include:

• Annually update all relevant demographic and economic data for the website and print materials. 
• Attend 2-3 trade shows per year in partnership with our regional and State partners.
• Annually conduct a print and/or e-mail marketing blitz to the site selection and corporate community in targeted industries.  The area’s most attractive investment opportunities and recent success stories will be highlighted.
• Focus on redevelopment opportunities allowing the re-use of existing building/sites and installed infrastructure.
• Provide leadership to developers and other individuals wishing to market their sites and buildings for industrial recruitment.

Regionalism, Entrepreneurial Support, and Promotion of Quality of Life—Accomplishing our two primary tasks listed above requires AACED involvement in all aspects of a strong economy.  Consequently, we will strive to remain involved and provide service to these key initiatives that strengthen our communities and enhance the broader regional economy:

• The Mohican Area’s Five-Year Recreation and Tourism development plan.
• The Fund for Our Economic Future—a 16-county regional effort to transform the economy, spearheaded by Northeast Ohio’s philanthropic community.  Ashland County has joined “The Fund” through a partnership of several entities and the AACED Director serves as the Ashland County board representative.

• A major 2005-2006 project of The Fund has been the “Voices and Choices” regional planning initiative.  AACED is committed to reviewing the findings and opinions of citizens throughout the region and implementing beneficial new ideas and/or cooperative efforts in the Ashland area.

• The North Central Ohio Regional Development Alliance (NCORDA), a nine-county organization of economic developers that meets monthly.
• The Small Business Development Center (SBDC), The Ashland chapter of the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), North Central Ohio International Trade Assistance Center (ITAC), and Ashland University’s Manufacturing Competitiveness Initiative.