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Ramsey County launches online business and site selector incentive dashboard

Wednesday, January 08, 2020

Ramsey County is a vibrant and growing community with opportunity for everyone and they want site selectors and business owners to take notice. This bustling community with diverse amenities of Sant Paul and the Twin Cities metro is an attractive destination for companies and new families. A showcase website, RameseyCountyMeansBusiness.com, was designed and launched to assist businesses and corporate site selectors find the available amenities. The online portal lists incentives and clean-up programs at the local, state and federal levels. At the heart of the website is a powerful incentive map that shows the nearly 60 properties available for development and redevelopmen...

Top 5 Opportunity Zone Prospectuses of 2020

Monday, January 06, 2020

Ready to market your opportunity zone? In order to successfully present your opportunity zone, you should create an Opportunity Zone Prospectus to attract investors and promote your project. The prospectus is the primary document that investors, developers and fund managers use to evaluate your project. This document is also a great way to organize your community pitch and coordinate your message. A completed prospectus in the hands of elected officials, community leaders, and business owners will help attract investors and interest in your project. In order to help get you started, our team has compiled a list of 5 Opportunity Zone Prospectuses in 2020 that hav...

2020 Exceptional Economic Development Websites

Wednesday, January 01, 2020

One of the first questions we are asked when talking about economic development websites is “What are examples of the best economic development websites?” Each year the Golden Shovel team attends economic development conferences and events nationally and internationally to answer this question. During these travels, we seek out the latest trends in economic development communications and look for communities that are leading the industry in marketing, design, and innovation. Our team is happy to recommend the following list as examples to follow in 2020. It is a hard list to assemble and there are many sites deserving of a spot on th...

Itasca Economic Development Corporation Launches New Website to Enhance Business Growth

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

St. Paul, MN - Itasca Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)’s mission is to undertake education and research efforts that support and advance the creation and retention of quality jobs by working with the business community residing in and around Itasca County. A recently-launched and dynamic new website will help IEDC with this mission as a tool to showcase and expand its diverse economy and demonstrate why so many people call the region “home.” To develop and design the site, IEDC partnered with Golden Shovel Agency, a national economic development communications firm recognized for its award-winning design and expertise in business and workforce attraction. “Th...

Palestine Launches New Economic Development Website & Wins Award

Friday, December 13, 2019

Palestine, Texas - There is a lot of opportunity in Palestine, Texas, but not enough site selectors, executives and families are aware of the community. That’s the problem Palestine Economic Development Corporation sought to address through the development and launch of a new interactive website. “Palestine is a wonderful and beautiful place to live,” said Gayle Cooper, former Executive Director of Palestine Economic Development. “We are strategically located, have access to major transportation routes and available real estate. We just needed a better way to tell our story, while making it easier for site selectors to gather information on our community.” Fo...

Junction City-Geary County Economic Development Commission Launches New Website to Highlight Area Businesses and Opportunities

Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Junction City, KS: Junction City-Geary County Economic Development Commission (EDC) recently launched a new website designed to educate businesses and professionals about Junction City-Geary County and the opportunities the area provides. “Economic Development is an unbelievably competitive business. In order to be noticed in this forest of possibilities, our EDC needs to have the right tools. A strong, data-driven website is one of those tools,” says Mark Powers, Junction City-Geary County EDC Chairman. To develop and design the site, Junction City-Geary County EDC partnered with Golden Shovel Agency, a national economic development communications firm recognized for its award-winning design and expertise i...

Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance Launches Redesigned Website to Promote Area Opportunities

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Fort Dodge, Iowa - Communities flourish when passionate leaders focus on continual economic development. An attitude of success and a continued drive forward can be found within the community of Fort Dodge, as epitomized by the Greater Fort Dodge Growth Alliance. The Alliance is demonstrating their commitment to economic growth through their aggressive marketing of the area. A comprehensive redesign of their economic development website is part of their comprehensive marketing strategy and was recently completed by Golden Shovel Agency. With over 10 years of economic development experience and leadership, their expertise and technology platform provided an efficient process fo...

Golden Shovel Agency Client Receives Mid-America Award for Economic Development Deal of the Year

Monday, December 09, 2019

LITTLE FALLS, MN – Golden Shovel Agency client The New Growth Alliance economic development organization was recognized for its role in attracting Weatherby to Sheridan, WY. The company relocated from California and resettled in Wyoming for its pro-business environment. On December 9, 2019, Robert Briggs from The New Growth Alliance received the Mid-America Economic Impact Deal of the Year Small Community Award at the annual Mid-America Competitiveness Conference and Site Selector Forum for its efforts to attract the gun manufacturer. The gun manufacturer announced its plans to relocate in January 2018 and the doors were officially opened at the Sheridan facility on Jun...

New Growth Alliance Receives Economic Development Award for Weatherby Project

Monday, December 09, 2019

CHICAGO, IL – The New Growth Alliance economic development organization was recognized for its role in attracting Weatherby to Sheridan, WY. The company relocated from California and resettled in Wyoming for its pro-business environment. On December 9, 2019, Robert Briggs from The New Growth Alliance received the Mid-America, Economic Impact Deal of the Year Small Community Award at the annual Mid-America Competitiveness Conference and Site Selector Forum for its efforts to attract the gun manufacturer. The gun manufacturer announced its plans to relocate in January 2018 and the doors were officially opened at the Sheridan facility on June 13, 2019. The 74-year ol...

Redwood Area Development Corporation (RADC) Launches New Website to Help “Build Better Businesses for the Redwood Area”

Monday, December 09, 2019

Redwood Falls, MN: Redwood Area Development Corporation (RADC) recently launched a new and completely redesigned website to make it easier for visitors to find the information they need as well as to feature what makes the Redwood Area such a great place to live and do business. Formed in 1986, the RADC represents the communities and businesses in economic and community deveopment and understands the importance of retaining and expanding existing businesses in the local communities as well as attracting new businesses. To develop and design the site, RADC partnered with Golden Shovel Agency, a national economic development communications firm recognized fo...

Lessons of Economic Development From Israel

Sunday, December 08, 2019

By Ron Kresha School closings are familiar. In the U.S., these announcements generally result from winter storms that bring snow, cold and wind. For the days preceding the storm, forecasters guess the path and adults second guess the forecasters. When the storm materializes and rolls through an area the school closing announcements begin—often to the joy of the students. There are some school closings that are not as familiar. School is called off in Rishon Lezion and Holon, just south of Tel Aviv, which were just targeted with rockets from Gaza. And soon after came another announcement. School, work called off in all areas betwee...

Ramsey County launches dynamic incentives dashboard to enhance business growth

Tuesday, December 03, 2019

BY 24-7 Press Releaase Economic development occurs when passionate business owners collaborate with partnering agencies and community organizations. Ramsey County Community & Economic Development is demonstrating a commitment to entrepreneurs and existing businesses wishing to expand with the launch of the “Ramsey County Means Business" incentives dashboard and business resource portal. This online resource consolidates local, state and regional incentives and resources for existing and future businesses. By offering a powerful, easy-to-use online portal, Ramsey County economic developers and partnering agencies are committing to vibrant business growth. “RamseyCountyMeansBusiness.com is an opportunity for economic development leaders across the region to better engage and equi...

York County Development Corporation Debuts 360-Degree Virtual Reality Tour

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

By 24-7 Press Release York, NE: York County Development Corporation (YCDC) is pleased to announce the availability of a 360-degree virtual reality (VR) tour that provides prospective businesses and site selection consultants with a full-immersion experience of the York region from anywhere in the world. The PlaceVR tour, created by Golden Shovel Agency, highlights a 34-acre site for sale as well as educational opportunities in York and the region’s high quality of life. “This virtual reality video complements other marketing efforts we’re doing for this industrial site and the County,” said Lisa Hurley, YCDC Executive Director. “Being a rural community, it i...

Oregon Co-op Leverages Virtual Reality Technology to Improve Regional Economy

Wednesday, November 06, 2019

Article originally posted on cooperatives.com by Victoria Rocha on October 31, 2019 Oregon Trail Electric Cooperative’s economic development website entices users to explore “the spirit of the Western frontier” in its beautiful and rugged service area. With “mountains, valleys, rivers and lakes, Eastern Oregon is simultaneously breathtaking and accessible,” reads the website. “Every season holds a new adventure.” Lea Gettle, Oregon Trail EC’smanager of administration and strategic services, hears such praise often from tourists and new residents alike. “People come here, and they don’t want to leave,” she said. The hard part is getting them to come. But the Baker City-based co-op is betting on virtua...

Economic Development Annual Conferences Focus on New Tech & How It Will Change Everything

Monday, November 04, 2019

Autonomous driving cars, artificial intelligence, crowdsourcing and the sharing economy are all examples of how new technology is changing the landscape of our communities. How to anticipate and prepare for these changes was a common theme of the recent Southern Economic Development Council’s Annual Conference in New Orleans, the Texas Economic Development Council's Annual Conference in San Antonio, and the International Economic Development Council’s Annual Conference in Indianapolis . Golden Shovel CEO Aaron Brossoit presented at all three conferences. We interviewed him to explore key takeaways from the conference and his thoughts on the impact new technologies will have o...

Leveraging Technology and Innovation for Community Development

Friday, November 01, 2019

Through ingenuity, innovation and a steadfast commitment to community, co-ops are spurring economic revitalization and growth in rural areas across the country. On Oct. 30, Touchstone Energy launched a series of Co-op Community Initiative webinars to explore the many ways co-ops are breathing new life into their communities and enhancing their members' quality of life. Member co-ops are invited to join us during these discussions, where they will gain practical insights, expertise and ideas for what we can all do to stimulate growth in our rural areas. In this first webinar of the series, they showcased Oregon Trail Electric Co-op's cutting-edge virtual reality tours. Co-op Administratio...

One East Kentucky Highlights Why Eastern KY is Best for Business Using a Redesigned Website

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Paintsville, Kentucky - Successful regional economic development requires vision, collaboration and decisive leadership. One East Kentucky has all three. The exclusive mission of One East Kentucky is to create jobs by recruiting industry and investment to Eastern Kentucky through the implementation of annual economic development strategies. These strategies often involve a strategic digital marketing component. One East Kentucky redesigned their website to be aligned with those strategies. As a 9-county regional organization and partnership of private businesses, communities and chambers of commerce, the objective of One East Kentucky’s website redesign was to improve how regional information was presented, and to mak...

Dickinson County KS Economic Development Launches Workforce and Business Attraction Website

Monday, August 26, 2019

By 24-7 Press Release “Driving Dickinson County” is the attraction plan initiated by the Dickinson County Economic Development Corporation to promote the region to prospective businesses and workers. Visit https://www.dkedc.com/ to access the newly launched site. Executive Director of Dickinson County Economic Development Corp., Chuck Scott, believes the new website will help business attraction and engage site selectors. “Upgrading the website became a priority as we introduced our area to site selectors and new businesses,” said Scott. “This is a main source of exposure to gain awareness.” Good-paying jobs and low housing provide comfortable and safe communities for families, and residents are prou...

Communities Can Gain The Attention Of New Workers By Amplifying Their Social Media: Here Is How

Monday, August 12, 2019

By Ron Kresha, Golden Shovel's COO/CFO Communities need to amplify their digital content to gain traction on social media. To tell your community story, your workforce attraction or business attraction success stories need to be heard. In the noisy world of social media, being heard requires amplification. A successful digital strategy requires discipline and consistency. Posting content impulsively or only when you have time, means your audience will be confused. Good messaging is about repetition. One of my favorite quotes is about motivation from Zig Ziglar: “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well neither does bathing that’s why we recommend it daily.” This bi...

Workers Are Migrating And Seeking Opportunities

Monday, August 05, 2019

By Ron Kresha, Golden Shovel's COO/CFO The American workforce is on the move and communities should understand the effects of worker migration. Variance exists between studies on exactly what effects urban, suburban and rural communities can expect. One certainty is that communities must confront the changes of growing racial and ethnical diversity, increasing immigration and rising numbers of older adults. These demographic shifts are touching every community differently. Geographic distribution of start-ups and worker increases are clustered within a few select regions of the US. According to the LinkedIn June Workforce Report, 15 regions account for 80% of high-growth startup employees—40 percen...

Presenting the Power of PlaceVR

Thursday, July 25, 2019

By Aaron Brossoit, Golden Shovel's CEO Relationships are key in economic development. A lot of deals come down to a handshake. But let’s face it: this puts smaller, more remote communities at a disadvantage in business attraction since site selectors don’t often have the time and money to visit smaller towns. When in-person meetings aren’t possible, the right technology can do an excellent job of bridging the communication gap. Virtual reality has been proven the next best method for showcasing community assets and capturing busy site selectors’ attention. We pride ourselves as being pioneers in harnessing innovative virtual reality technology for use i...

The Intersection of Economics and Education: A Modest Proposal in Minnesota

Monday, January 20, 2020

Education is an equalizer. Children, no matter their socio-economic status, race, or background, when educated, can leverage opportunities never imagined. Education is critical to reducing racial disparities, income gaps, fostering entrepreneurial endeavors, innovations, medical solutions, building a future workforce, and so much more. Achieving the American dream begins with an education, and all children should have the right to receive a quality education. Yet, it is not very promising when only 55% of Minnesota third-graders can read at grade level, continuing a downward trend since at least 2015. Nor is it very promising when only 45% of Minnesota high school junior...

Reliable Economic Development

Monday, January 13, 2020

Opportunity Zones: Think Beyond Big Buildings; Build Neighborhoods

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

The speculation race is on for the opportunity zone market. In 2017, a tax-incentivized investment program was launched to create tax benefits for investors who invest in one or more of the 8,764 distressed neighborhoods. The program was created to offset unequal growth in the United States and to revitalize neighborhoods with anemic growth. k According to Forbes, what started as a federal program has now become a market. That is exactly what is happening. Once the 8,764 Opportunity Zones were designated and the Treasury Department began issuing regulatory guidance, the market sprang to life. There has been a race to stake ...

Don't Miss Using Opportunity Zones To Attract Families

Monday, November 11, 2019

We miss a lot of what is going on around us. In one experiment, audience members are asked to count the number of times a basketball is passed between six people. A video is played with people passing a basketball. Afterward, the audience is asked how many times the ball was passed. People shout out numbers. Then the moderator asks, “Did you see the gorilla?” Replaying the video reveals an obvious gorilla walking through the group of basketball players. Christopher Chabis and Daniel Simons, in their book, The Invisible Gorilla, highlight how our intuition prevents us from missing the obvious. There is ...

Minnesota is making Opportunity Zones work for their communities

Wednesday, November 06, 2019

Minnesota is making Opportunity Zones work for their communities! DULUTH, Minn., Sept. 17, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The Minnesota Opportunity Collaborative, which launched in spring 2019, continues to expand its efforts to inspire investment in opportunity zone projects across Minnesota. MNOppCo is committed to bottom-up collaboration to put the opportunity zone incentive to work for communities that have historically suffered from a lack of investment. MNOppCo's grassroots effort is unique among statewide opportunity zone programs and has helped ensure that it directly serves the communities that can most benefit from the legislation. MNOppCo has its roots in the efforts of The Northspan Group, Inc. and Community Exchange, two nonprofits devote...

Urban and Rural Communities Face Rental Shortages: Solutions Needed

Tuesday, November 05, 2019

Corianna Payton Scally and Amanda Gold raise the issue of housing and argue that the problem is equally challenging for rural communities. Unequal economic recovery continues to favor select regions of the United States leaving behind large rural areas. In these areas, the shortage of housing is amplified. It is estimated that over 75% of rural homes are owner-occupied leaving a shortage of rental homes. And, rural communities face a labor shortage in the construction industry and have a lower population density. Therefore, people and capital are not readily available to construct or remodel rental housing to meet the need. Federal Programs ar...

"Broadband, blues, & beer"

Thursday, October 31, 2019

This summer, at the 2019 Breakthrough Solutions conference in Little Rock Arkansas, Matt Dunne shared his message for economic growth in rural America. His presentation, "Stemming the Tide: Creating Digital Ecosystems in Rural Areas” focused on revitalizing rural areas. He highlighted five areas that community leaders need to pay attention to: Provide education and training for the digital economy Develop a distributed work community Improve entrepreneurship programs Invest in downtown housing Promote arts, culture and recreational amenities Try these '30 PROVEN MARKETING TIPS FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS'. He called out the need for connectivity in rural communities, "It is the electricity of our time." Rural communities are familiar with the struggles o...

Companies and Funds are Targeting Rural Communities. Is Your Community Ready?

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is designed to bring investment to distressed neighborhoods. By creating Qualified Opportunity Zones (QOZ) communities can offer investment vehicles for people seeing tax incentives. Investors who invest in an opportunity zone can defer capital gains on sold assets until December 31, 2026 or until they decide to sell the asset. Additionally, any gains from the investment may be realized tax-free. This can be a powerful incentive to drive investment into distressed areas. Opportunity zones have gained widespread attention and communities are starting to create marketing materials and strategies to attract investors and developers. According to "Investin...

New Website Showcases Minnesota Technology Corridor

Monday, July 08, 2019

Ramsey, Minnesota– A comprehensive new online portal to highlight the Minnesota Technology Corridor was just launched. The website showcases premier project sites that are ready for technology business development. Minneapolis/Saint Paul is one of the largest and fastest growing tech regions in the country. The MN Tech Corridor includes Northeast suburbs of Minneapolis less than 30 minutes from the Twin Cities and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport with convenient access to Interstate I-35. The goal of the new site is to promote the MN Tech Corridor to a national/international audience in order to attract new businesses and jobs to the region and spu...

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