BUSINESS RETENTION POLICY 4/18/94


PURPOSE. It is the purpose of this Policy to identify the position of Village Council relative to maintaining a healthy and growing economic business climate within the Village of Yellow Springs and to identify positive actions that can be taken to make this a reality. Village Council encourages the continued development of local business and will foster those activities and policies which support a climate wherein business and the community at large are best served. Village Council recognizes the importance of all business entities i.e. Industrial, Retail, Service; Private Consultation, Artist etc. as they contribute to the economy, diversity, independence and education of the general public. Village Council intends that as options for incentive programs will be explored e.g. tax abatement, and evaluate each as it addresses identified goals. Toward that end the following Goals/Objectives are established:


(1) PRIORITIZE EFFORTS.
Establish a priority for all efforts regarding business/economic activity in the Village as:
1) Retention of present local businesses; 2) Expansion of present local businesses; and 3) Seeking new businesses to locate here.


(2) ESTABLISH BUSINESS REGISTRY.
Create a Computer Database that identifies all current Yellow Springs businesses by type, size, location, and expected growth requirements.

(a) Develop an asset inventory that identifies the resources which support registered businesses.
(b) Highlight those businesses which are listed as, "available for information/consultation''.

(3) CONDUCT ENTRANCE AND EXIT INTERVIEWS.
Interview new businesses in conjunction with their request for utility service and existing businesses with their request for the discontinuance of that service. New businesses should be made aware of the Economic Development Fund and be given the opportunity to apply for financial assistance if needed. The exit interview should serve the purpose of lending assistance if needed and as a "Lessons Learned".


(4) MEET WITH BUSINESSES ON A REGULAR BASIS.
The Village Manager or his designated representative, along with a member of Village Council, will meet with businesses once a year, to review common issues, goals and objectives.


(5) ESTABLISH A BUSINESS RETENTION TEAM.
The Village Manager will establish a team of staff persons, who will meet regularly to evaluate current policies, goals, rates, and service issues as they relate to local business. The Team will be empowered to make recommendations to the Village Manager/' Village Council relative to their assigned task.. The team should include the Zoning Administrator, Assistant Village Manager, and Finance Director as a minimum. One person should be identified as the Team Leader. This person would be expected to schedule meetings, establish an agenda, keep a written record of meetings and ensure that the team remains focused on the issues involved with Business Retention. The Team will hold meetings with Business, Industry, School officials, and Chamber of Commerce representatives as necessary to meet their objectives.


(6) REAPPRAISE USE AND APPLICATION OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
FUND.

The Village Manager and a Council representative will meet with Mr. Fritz Leighty as soon as possible to evaluate our current policy for use of the Economic Development fund to determine if it can have a broader application and to seek additional funding.


(7) DETERMINE NEEDS AND INTERESTS.
Survey local employers and employees to gather information regarding needs and interests
in housing, community involvement, and other interest areas.