Receiving the Gift of Life - County Line Magazine

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The Initiative to Accelerate Strategic Economic Growth in Johns Creek 2013-2017 by Judy Le Jeune Since Johns Creek officially became a city in December 2006, services, departments and programs have been continually added to improve the quality of life for its citizens and business owners. Eighteen months ago, Johns Creek Advantage (JCA), an initiative to achieve strategic economic growth, was launched in collaboration with the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce and in consultation with elected leaders of the City of Johns Creek. CEO of Emory Johns Creek Hospital Craig McCoy and Executive Vice President & COO of Key- Worth Bank Neil Stevens were selected as Co- Chairs of the campaign for the five-year economic development initiative. “Neil and I are excited and honored to be leading this campaign. It is our goal to work with local businesses and public officials to raise the funds to drive JCA in accomplishing its initiatives over the next five years. We are energized by the response of both the private and public sector in establishing, funding and supporting JCA and look forward to achieving smart growth for Johns Creek, so we will continue to enjoy the great quality of life that Johns Creek offers,” said McCoy. The JCA mission is “to proactively drive business and job growth in Johns Creek.” The initiative began with key leaders in the community working together to develop a strategic plan, followed by the selection of consulting firm Power 10 to assist with the fundraising campaign, and incorporating as a 501(c)(3) economic development organization. These strategic steps laid the foundation to successfully implement the 5 strategies of Johns Creek Advantage: Initiative #1 - Attract and Recruit New Business to Johns Creek • Recruit target industries—corporate headquarters, service center operations, healthcare operations, and professional services. • Hire economic development staff. • Establish relationships with Economic Development allies. • Implement Branding/Marketing Campaign and establish a web site to engage site selectors and businesses. Initiative #2 – Retain and Expand Existing Businesses • Implement a business visitation program to build strong relationships with existing companies. • Identify common challenges that face existing businesses and develop solutions. • Form a “Rapid Response Team” to intervene in critical situations. Initiative #3 – Formation and Growth of Small Businesses • Partner with the Johns Creek Chamber of Commerce to create a Small Business Resource Center. • Connect small businesses to business planning, marketing, capital, and workforce resources. Initiative #4 – Develop an Opportunity Fund/Reserve • Maintain a “cash opportunity” fund to address unforeseen challenges and opportunities. Funds may be needed, for example, to close a deal, for a special marketing opportunity, or for temporary staff. JCA will have these funds available to respond without jeopardizing planned components of the initiative. Initiative #5 – Investor Relations Program • To keep investors informed and engaged, JCA will: invite investors to key events, provide periodic progress reports, engage investors in small group strategy sessions, recognize investors on the web site and at key events, invite investors to meet new business management, attend special functions, and attend new business groundbreakings. 8 CountyLine | August 2013 | www.CountyLineMagazine.net
In May, a Campaign Kickoff luncheon at the Atlanta Athletic Club was attended by over 150 business and community leaders. Co- Chair Craig McCoy announced the campaign’s progress, “Thanks to investments from 29 businesses and the City of Johns Creek, we have already raised $1.11 million – an impressive 74 percent of our $1.5 million ‘stretch’ goal,” said McCoy. He credited Atlanta-based Power 10, a professional fundraising firm, with having assisted JCA in achieving this success. Mayor Mike Bodker spoke of the impact that JCA will have on sustaining the exemplary education system and public safety record of the community, and Johns Creek Chamber President John Bemont spoke of the Chamber’s role in implementing JCA’s small business growth strategy. Co-Chair Neil Stevens highlighted the initiative’s strategies by saying, “This initiative is about taking a proactive approach to growing high quality businesses and jobs in our community. We need to strengthen the business percentage of our tax base, and we’ll do that by attracting new businesses to Johns Creek, supporting our existing businesses so that they stay and thrive, and supporting the formation and growth of small businesses.” Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey was the keynote speaker and reinforced the need for an organization like JCA. Neil Stevens and Craig McCoy As the initiative rolls out, the projected economic impact on the Johns Creek community include: • 605 new jobs • $47 million in new payroll • $33 million in new personal consumption expenditures • $18 million in new personal bank deposits • $12 million in new capital investment • A 75% residential/25% commercial tax digest instead of the current 80/20% • $130,000 in new sales and property tax revenue “Neil and I are excited and honored to be leading this campaign. It is our goal to work with local businesses and public officials to raise the funds to drive JCA in accomplishing its initiatives over the next five years...,” JCA anticipates hiring economic developmental staff before the end of summer, and then implementing the initiative to start growing businesses and jobs in Johns Creek. “The business leaders and public officials of Johns Creek have stepped up in a substantial way. With the quality leadership, community support and teamwork behind this initiative, I am confident it will be tremendously successful and add great value to our city,” said Stevens. For more information about Johns Creek Advantage, visit: johnscreekadvantage.org said McCoy. 9 CountyLine |August 2013
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