Business Assistance

Coordination
There are many roles and aspects to economic development. LCDC is just one of many private groups engaged in economic development activities within Leavenworth County and Kansas. However, being a county-wide organization, LCDC serves in many ways to coordinate or provide a link to other organizations. Like private business, each group has its own "specialty" or role in economic development. Some of these organizations besides LCDC include: 1) the Basehor Chamber of Commerce; 2) the Leavenworth-Lansing Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism Bureau; 3) the Tonganoxie Chamber of Commerce 4) Leavenworth Main Street Program; and 5) the Kansas City Area Development Council to name just a few.

Economic development, to be successful, requires the combined efforts of both private and public sectors. With city and county membership the coordination of the public sectors is accomplished through the LCDC organization. Besides the cities and the county, coordination is maintained with the Leavenworth County Port Authority, the Mid-America Regional Council, the Kansas Department of Commerce, the U.S. Small Business Administration; and other governmental agencies.

Regional Role and Assistance
Information Resource - One of LCDC's most important roles is to gather from a vast array of sources socio-economic and demographic data, land and building availability, state and local regulatory requirements and assistance programs. and related contacts. Information to include county and community profiles, statistics on population, labor force, major employers, available vacant land and buildings, tax rates, utility services and rates, retail sales, residential construction, schools, colleges, and census information, besides a variety of maps.

Traditionally, the information was compiled and printed in a "data book" which was obsolete as soon as it was printed. LCDC has compiled its information in an electronic media. The information is under constant change and immediately posted on the LCDC Internet Home Page. Thus, anyone in the world with access to a computer can dial up the most extensive and most current information on Leavenworth County and several cities.

Information on "what's happening" is also important to the citizens, existing businesses and prospective business of Leavenworth County. LCDC prepares a quarterly LCDC NOTES newsletter for its members, government officials and every business with five or more employees in the county. LCDC issues "press releases" when new information, activities of LCDC or development projects warrant.

Marketing
Through a Marketing Committee, LCDC identifies opportunities to advertise and promote Leavenworth County as a place to locate and expand a business. For example a new 9-minute "Leavenworth Area" video has been produced to market the Leavenworth Area. The Marketing Committee also directs the development of a comprehensive data base, including community profiles available through the internet. A regular ad program includes placements in the Kansas City Business Journal and local newspapers to communicate with existing businesses.

Business Recruitment
LCDC's association and frequent contact with Kansas City Area Development and the Kansas Department of Commerce and Housing is the primary source for prospective new business locations. The primary activity is to respond to requests for standardized or customized information by businesses interested in locating new operations in Leavenworth County. On a limited basis LCDC participates in prospect trips and trade shows in cooperation with the Kansas Department of Commerce , Western Resources and similar organizations.

Existing Business Assistance
Adding a new business only improves the local economy if it adds to the existing business base. The local business base is of primary importance to growing the employment base in both the short and long term. LCDC has focused a large share of its resources to assist existing business growth and expansion in Leavenworth County. LCDC provides private confidential consultation on assistance programs, financing, business credit analysis, and structuring an expansion. LCDC has developed materials, in an easily understandable form, on financial assistance programs offered at the local, state or federal level, distributed to local businesses, financial institutions and the LCDC quarterly newsletter.

Industry Recognition
Hold an annual industries recognition event coordinated with the chambers of commerce of the four cities to recognize the contributions business and industries make to the local economy. Special recognition is given to any business or industry making a significant location or expansion during the previous year. LCDC organizes, when appropriate, announcements and ground breaking ceremonies for significant development projects.

Local Planning and Policy Development
LCDC provides assistance with the development efforts of the cities and county including, preparing plans, policies, and applications to assist their local economic development efforts or specific projects, such as urban revitalization areas, main street programs, and industrial tax abatement policies. During review of local comprehensive plans, LCDC can provide assistance in the economic development element. Some cities or chambers of commerce have separate committees or groups work on economic development projects to which LCDC provides technical assistance. Some cities rely on their local planning commissions for economic development planning.

Local Data Base & Community Profile
LCDC prepares a wide range of data for the county and the cities. Annually a city community profile is updated and printed. The community profile, as well as other data, is continuously updated on the LCDC Internet site.

Sites and Available Buildings
LCDC maintains information on available commercial and industrial land and buildings within each city and the unincorporated areas of the county. A standard format is listed and is continuously updated on the LCDC Internet site.

Project Administration
Once a development project and proposed site is identified, LCDC assists in the preparation of a specific financial and incentive package with the consent of the city or county, in unincorporated areas. This may include property tax abatement application, a formal cost-benefit analysis, public hearings, industrial revenue bonds and/or state income tax credit filings, which may take up to 18 months to complete after the business starts operations.