Program Gives Rural Communities Expert Feedback on Site Selection
Published Aug 25, 2008
Gov. Phil Bredesen has made rural investment initiatives a top priority.
The Tennessee Department of Economic & Community Development is offering local communities a way to sharpen their recruiting skills.
The Orange Carpet Tour program is designed to prep communities on how they best showcase themselves to major companies looking at expansion or relocation. The program is a part of Gov. Phil Bredesen’s Rural Opportunity Initiative that aims to bolster jobs and investment in rural communities.
The partnership with Chicago-based business advisory firm Plante & Moran involves a two-day visit to a community that simulates a full-scale, detailed presentation to selection consultants.
Upon conclusion, consultants provide direct feedback, including detailed information on strengths and weaknesses of the area, especially those elements of most interest to relocating companies.
“We’ve created a scorecard that has all the elements selection consultants look at, and we can weigh the scores differently depending on what type of business we’re supposed to be,” says Adam Rujan, a partner with Plante & Moran.
“They want us to come out and tell them, without candy-coating anything, how they look,” he says.
State economic development officials then work with the communities on improvement strategies and help them promote their strengths.
“We expect a lot of participation as the program rolls out,” Rujan says.
Story by Joe Morris
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