Program of Work - 2008
Comments from the Chairman:
Leavenworth County Development Corporation (LCDC) was founded in 1981 to foster, promote and improve the trade, manufacturing, industrial and warehousing opportunities in Leavenworth County. This non-profit organization utilizes public funding through annual contributions by the county and cities as well as the private sector support of its nearly 100 members to promote and enhance the economic vitality of Leavenworth County.
As the primary countywide economic development organization, LCDC’s focus is to facilitate job growth for our residents and to grow the local tax base by aiding in the expansion of local businesses and bringing new businesses to our county and its communities.
The foundation of the organization is its dedicated group of volunteers who work tirelessly to improve economic opportunities for the citizens in Leavenworth County. These volunteers work with a talented, professional staff of three to represent the interests of the business community and the workers it employs. Working together with our economic development partners, LCDC strives to be the leading advocate for our investors while fostering cooperation among the county and its communities.
Over the past 26 years, LCDC has brought leadership, advocacy and the ability to pull people together in a common desire to make Leavenworth County the best place it can be in which to work and live. 2008 holds promise of exciting opportunities to strengthen our county’s economy and to grow our economic future.
Tony Kramer - 2008 LCDC Board Chairman
Vision for the Organization
An organization providing the leadership of public and private sectors committed to the economic growth and enhancement of the quality of life for Leavenworth County.
Mission of the Organization
Plan, lead and coordinate the necessary activities that will lead to the economic growth of Leavenworth County.
Character of the Work Program
A direct, aggressive, proactive program of work to accomplish the objectives laid out in the Strategic Plan and the needs suggested b the members of the organization.
Coordination/Communication/Cooperation
As is indicated in the Mission and Vision statement above, Leavenworth County Development Corporation provides an ideal platform from which the economic future of this county can be discussed and coordinated.
The effort made by this organization will provide a strong foundation on which each business and community can reach their full potential. In order to accomplish such goals and objectives as are laid out on the following pages, coordination/communication/cooperation must be practiced in all facets of the organization.
Leavenworth County Development Corporation will be working closely with the following entities, organizations and individuals to enhance the economic opportunities of the county.
Local:
a. Leavenworth County
b. Leavenworth County Port Authority
c. Cities of Basehor, Easton, Lansing, Leavenworth, Linwood, Tonganoxie
d. Chambers of Commerce in Basehor, Leavenworth/Lansing, Tonganoxie
e. Leavenworth Main Street Inc.
f. Lansing and Leavenworth CVB’s
g. Leavenworth County School Districts
h. Local Utility Providers
i. Local Business Owners/Operators
Regional:
a. Region III Workforce Investment Board
b. Kansas City Kansas Community College
c. Mid-American Regional Council
d. Kansas City Area Development Council
e. Economic Development Organizations in the Greater Kansas City Area
State:
a. Kansas Department of Commerce
b. Small Business Development Center
c. Representatives in Kansas Senate and House
d. Kansas Economic Development Alliance
National:
a. U.S. Senators and Representatives
b. U.S. Department of Transportation
c. International Economic Development Council
LCDC will work hard to foster coordination, communication and cooperation between itself and these partner entities, organizations and individuals by:
(1) Providing regular feedback via:
- website updates
- presentations
- personal visits
- newsletter
- monthly meeting minutes
(2) Continuously analyzing, strategizing and implementing new ideas, formats and programs to simplify the economic development process and enhance the economic condition of the county.
(3) Expanding current relationships and forging new ones with prospects, investors and members in an effort to grow the organization and expand opportunities for taking Leavenworth County’s message to the world.
Action Steps:
Use an open, inclusive and ethical approach when working with or responding to our members and community partners. Review of such measures shall be completed through quarterly updates, board meetings, existing business surveys and membership forums.
1. Set a consistent, complete, comprehensive presentation of activity for members and community partners.
2. Produce, when applicable, a list of steps LCDC may use to assist with recruitment and expansion of business.
3. Analyze and study the needs of the members in an effort to continually look for ways to improve services.
Executive Committee
Program of Work
Committee Chair: Tony Kramer - President
Participating Members:
Bill Petrie – Immediate Past President
Chuck Peterson – Vice President
Greg Madsen – Treasurer
David Schroeder – At-Large Member
NOTE: All Executive Committee appointments are subject to Full Board approval
Meeting Date: 4th Friday of each Month (special meeting(s) when applicable)
Meeting Time: 12:00 p.m.
Meeting Place: LCDC Offices – 1294 Eisenhower (unless otherwise noted)
Staff Liaison: Steve Jack - LCDC Executive Director (Committee Secretary)
Focusing Strategy:
The LCDC Executive Committee works to assure the proper management of LCDC and that the Program of Work for Economic Development in Leavenworth County is properly followed. The Executive Committee consisting of the Immediate Past-President, President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and one At-Large member, is a group of dedicated volunteers working to insure the economic success of Leavenworth County.
Goal:
To serve Leavenworth County Development Corp. and Leavenworth County by ensuring that the organization is successfully representing and recruiting new economic opportunities to the county.
Objectives:
1. Facilitating a more integrated approach to the economic development of the county.
2. Maximizing and marketing the region’s comparative and competitive advantages.
3. Enhance current projects to maximize their potential and outcome.
4. Create better opportunities for coordination, cooperation, and communication among members, agencies and industry sectors.
5. Assist in bringing together key players to help develop and implement a new economic development strategy.
6. Help to set a framework from which the organization can obtain a common vision.
7. Coordinate and conduct full membership and board of director meetings as are outlined in the organizational bylaws.
8. Oversee, coordinate and provide staff with input related to all of the LCDC committees and activities.
9. Promote good public relations for LCDC by serving on service clubs and participating in community activities.
10. When applicable, attend community and business related meetings representing LCDC.
11. Monitor local, county, state and federal discussion/legislation and the action being taken as it relates to LCDC membership and the development of the county.
12. Develop and when applicable mature relationships with potential entities in an effort to help aid in the purpose of the organization.
13. Offer recommendations and action steps to the LCDC subcommittees regarding their specific area of interest.
14. When necessary, develop/reorganize LCDC subcommittees/taskforces to focus on projects/areas that need special attention.
Action Steps:
1. Analyze and Suggest focus for the Board of Directors and Committees.
2. Work with the Executive Director to consistently remain current and consistent on items such as:
- job descriptions
- employee evaluations
- benefit package(s)
- office needs
- objectives of the organization / bylaws
- new leadership within the organization
- vision for the future of the organization
3. Focus specific attention on growing the investment of public and private membership as well as opening up networking opportunities to increase the merit of membership.
4. Assist in the development of and work to Monitor and Enhance the:
- Program of Work
- Budget
- Membership/Leadership Structure
5. Make recommendations to LCDC staff on ways to enhance the day-to-day and long term operations of the organization.
6. Establish subcommittee(s)/task force(s) when applicable to assure proper organizational dedication and alignment on issues.
7. Continue to grow the opportunities for communication between LCDC and its funding sources/communities.
8. Foster cooperation between the county and its communities regarding planning issues, code enforcement, land use and growth area concerns.
Existing Business, Retention & Expansion
Committee
Program of Work
Committee Chair: Mike Nixon
Vice-Chair:
Meeting Date: 2nd Tuesday of every other month (special
task force meeting(s) when applicable)
Meeting Time: 12:00 p.m.
Meeting Place: LCDC Offices – 1294 Eisenhower
(unless otherwise noted)
Staff Liaison: Christy Isaacs – LCDC Economic
Development Coordinator
Annual Budget Allocation: $2,000.00
Focusing Strategy:
The LCDC Existing Business Committee is the organization’s
voice as it relates to the issues affecting manufacturer/industry/warehousing
entities. The Existing Business Committee is a group of dedicated
volunteers who work to monitor issues that affect the condition
of existing business in Leavenworth County.
Goal:
To serve Leavenworth County Development Corporation and Leavenworth
County by ensuring that existing businesses are receiving support
from local, state and federal agencies/organizations.
Objectives:
1. Monitor local, county, state and federal legislation and regulatory
actions related to existing business.
2. Develop and mature relationships with possible funding sources
for local and county existing business expansion and retention.
3. Encourage local governmental entities to participate in projects
that work to assist the longevity and prosperity of local business
clients.
4. Offer recommendations and actions steps to the LCDC Board of
Directors regarding local existing business issues.
5. Stay connected with all leading metro committees, organizations
and representatives associated with existing business including
but not limited to MAMTAC, Workforce Investment Board, SBDC.
6. Identify issues related to existing business that may directly
affect the development of our local communities and county while
providing guidance or comments to assist the process.
7. When necessary, develop existing business subcommittees to focus
specific attention on projects of great importance of a pressing
nature.
8. Recognize existing businesses through LCDC’s annual “Existing
Business Recognition Luncheon”.
9. Conduct existing business survey’s to provide personal
interaction and determine needs/priorities of our local business
representatives.
Action Steps:
1. Provide face-to-face visits with leading county business leaders
to determine issues/action steps for producing a better local economic
environment.
2. Analyze results of business visits and provide feedback to the
membership/board/staff on ways to better the program(s).
3. Coordinate and facilitate the expansion and enhancement of the
Annual Business Appreciation Luncheon into a day long event to celebrate
business.
4. Encourage growth and development of existing business through
the sharing of programs and incentives available to assist them
with their future plans.
6. Coordinate industry clusters within the county to provide platforms
for dialogue opportunities.
7. Look for ways to coordinate/facilitate partnerships between Existing
Business Committee and the Marketing – Infrastructure committees
to demonstrate the cohesive effectiveness of LCDC.
8. Discuss, Coordinate and Invest in a local/regional skill survey
to measure both the available labor skills of the community, but
the leakage of which should be tapped for economic growth and expansion.
9. Work along side local communities to market and fill vacant structures
ready for immediate occupancy.
10. Package and incentive program to offer to existing businesses
who choose to remain and grow in Leavenworth County.
11. Work with Marketing Committee to publicize results that this
committee achieves through local papers as well as through trade
magazines.
12. Enlist current businesses to help make connections with other
businesses that may wish to relocate or start-up in Leavenworth
County.
Infrastructure Committee
Program of Work
Committee Chair: Chris Donnelly
Vice-Chair: Harley Russell
Meeting Date: 4th Tuesday of each Month (special task force meeting(s) when applicable)
Meeting Time: 3:00 p.m.
Meeting Place: LCDC office (1294 Eisenhower) (unless otherwise noted)
Staff Liaison: Steve Jack – LCDC Executive Director
Annual Budget Allocation: $2,500
Focusing Strategy:
The Leavenworth County Development Corporation (LCDC) Infrastructure Committee is the organization’s voice as it relates to the planning, coordinating, and implementation of concepts, ideas and proposals to the LCDC Board related to the following goals and objectives. The Infrastructure Committee is a group of dedicated volunteers who coordinate with allied organizations in an effort to monitor issues that affect the economic condition of Leavenworth County.
Goal:
To serve LCDC and Leavenworth County by supporting transportation planning, quality utility services and a clean environment that meet the present and future needs of our local businesses. Infrastructure issues cover areas related to highways, rail, air, water, trails and utilities and can be regional, countywide and local in scope.
Objectives:
1. Monitor local, county, state and federal legislation and regulations related to infrastructure.
2. Develop and maintain relationships with entities involved in funding infrastructure projects and encourage community coordination and application for funding opportunities.
3. Encourage governmental entities within the county to continue an annual process for planning capital improvements and to allocate an appropriate portion of revenue to infrastructure projects.
4. Offer recommendations and actions steps to the LCDC Board of Directors regarding infrastructure issues.
5. Stay connected with all leading metro infrastructure committees, organizations and representatives including but not limited to KDOT, MDOT and MARC.
6. Identify issues related to infrastructure that may directly affect the development of our local communities and county while providing guidance or comments to assist the process.
7. Work to coordinate community comprehensive and capital improvement planning efforts with existing funding opportunities and to encourage cooperative planning efforts between and among the communities and county.
8. Maintain and expand the opportunity for speakers to share and discuss infrastructure issues affecting economic development in Leavenworth County.
9. Focus specific attention on important or timely projects through the development of infrastructure subcommittees when necessary.
10. Promote committee involvement by encouraging members of the organization to become active in subcommittee opportunities or placed on governmental boards and commissions.
Action Steps:
1. Work with counties and communities in the region to identify common interests.
2. Look for ways to coordinate with other LCDC committees.
3. Provide public/private forums to discuss infrastructure-related issues.
4. Work with county and city planning departments in their review of ED-related components as they review their development plans.
5. Support state, regional and federal funding opportunities through the LCDC infrastructure funding matrix.
6. Assist county businesses in addressing infrastructure issues related to safety and the cost of doing business in the county.
7. Be actively involved in projects related to intersections outside our county but which affect our economic position.
8. Work with the Leavenworth County Port Authority and local communities to establish new industrial/business parks where appropriate.
9. Communicate with county, communities and other LCDC subcommittees to help direct proper infrastructure effort toward traffic conduits being used to enhance the commercial and residential framework of the community.
10. Support steps to sustain and improve the quality of life in Leavenworth County through intercommunity trail/park connectivity.
Top Areas of Focus for 2008
Regional airport study
- Mo-Kan Project w/ Platte County (MO-92 to I-29)
- US 24/40 Master Plan
- KTA Interchange and County Road 1
- K-7 Improvements and Development
- Other East/West & North/South County Arterials
- City Arterials (e.g., 20th Street/Metropolitan)
- Bicycling and Pedestrian Trails
- Countywide planning for water, fire protection, wastewater/sewer and stormwater
- Support the development of comprehensive planning by the county and cities related to infrastructure as it pertains to economic development
- Communicate funding opportunities and deadlines related to infrastructure improvement projects
- Continue to encourage and facilitate partnerships with Douglas, Johnson, Wyandotte and Platte Counties
Marketing and Business Recruitment Committee
Program of Work
Committee Chair: Sheila Lucas
Committee Vice-Chair: Joey Studnicka
Meeting Date: 2nd Monday of each Month (special task force meeting(s) when applicable)
Meeting Time: 3:30 p.m. (subcommittee meetings held immediately following the regular meeting)
Meeting Place: LCDC Offices – 1294 Eisenhower (unless otherwise noted)
Staff Liaison: Steve Jack – LCDC Executive Director
Annual Budget Allocation: $2,000
Focusing Strategy:
The LCDC Marketing and Business Recruitment Committee guides the organization’s efforts related to marketing and promotion of economic development in Leavenworth County. The Marketing and Business Recruitment Committee is a group of dedicated volunteers who give guidance and ideas on projects and programs that affect the recruitment of new business to Leavenworth County.
Goal:
To serve Leavenworth County Development Corporation and Leavenworth County by ensuring that LCDC marketing efforts are effective and support local and county promotional efforts.
Objectives:
- Focus resources to effectively market LCDC to current and potential members; existing business & industry; and newcomers to the area.
- Educate internal and external parties associated with Leavenworth County with the purpose of LCDC.
- Work with the membership and executive committee to develop an ongoing plan for networking and communicating LCDC’s message.
- Continue to explore ways to develop and improve LCDC’s website in order to better market the region and the governmental bodies located within it.
- Facilitate the coordination of effective communication and marketing tools among LCDC members, committees and staff.
- Assist in ensuring that LCDC events, policies, services and benefits are effectively communicated in order to create excitement among all entities in the county.
- Develop a marketing brand and message to be communicated to prospects through advertising and other outreach methods.
- Provide an on-going review of all LCDC communication tools to ensure that they are meeting the intended needs. Recommend new methods or techniques as are applicable.
- Establish regular communication with the other committee leaders in an effort to establish flow within the organization.
Action Steps (contingent on strategic plan):
- Investigate using an advertising agency to work with the committee to develop a marketing brand, message and advertisements.
- Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of print media advertising opportunities and make recommendations regarding ad buys.
- Select promotional materials for various promotional opportunities and events.
- Assist staff with updating county and city folder inserts and business park brochures.
- Coordinate with the Membership Committee to co-sponsor a membership event.
- Track results of and feedback from business recruitment trips and events.
- Coordinate the publication of LCDC’s annual report.
Membership Committee
Committee Chair: Brian Habjan
Committee Vice-Chair: Cindy Dunn
Meeting Date: 2nd Tuesday of each month
Meeting Time: 8:00 a.m.
Meeting Place: LCDC Offices – 1294 Eisenhower (unless otherwise noted)
Staff Liaison: Christy Isaacs – LCDC Economic Development Coordinator
Annual Budget Allocation: $2,000.00
Focusing Strategy:
The LCDC Membership Committee works to grow the membership/investor base of Leavenworth County Development Corporation. The Committee also visions, develops and coordinates events that work to provide networking opportunities to all those who are investors in LCDC and that are working each day to insure the economic success of Leavenworth County.
Goal:
To serve Leavenworth County Development Corporation and Leavenworth County by ensuring that the organization is communicating its message to the public and growing its public and private membership/investor base.
Objectives:
- Increase and strengthen the LCDC membership base through recruitment of new and further development of current members.
- Work to diversify the membership bringing in investment from both local and regional perspectives.
- Use current and create new avenues with which the organization can communicate with members and non members of LCDC.
- Improve the marketing, recognition, and promotion of those who invest in LCDC.
- Institute a well developed, long term campaign the organization can use to grow our stake in the regional ED marketplace.
- Find new avenues that will allow those who are LCDC members to network with others in the organization.
- Provide training and education opportunities/materials for those who are currently or are interested in becoming members of the organization.
Action Steps:
- Increase the number of new members and maintain a 95% retention level of existing members with the goal of increasing overall private sector financial support by 10%.
- Develop and distribute a new member orientation program/packet which works to educate value of being an LCDC member.
- Evaluate the current membership grid/schedule and consider ways to improve its ability to increase financial opportunities.
- Create a mentorship/buddy system for new members, so that a long term relationship can be born via the organization.
- Improve the benefits of membership in an effort to demonstrate increased merit of investment.
- Consider new alternatives for growing membership (i.e. discounts, ladder investments, long term commitments, etc.)
- Increase communication and correspondence with members at time of and after renewal to the organization.
- Target membership from those who directly receive the benefits of the organization.
Top 10 reasons to join LCDC
- Help grow the tax base
- Assist with guiding the future of the county
- Business resources and assistance
- Knowledge and connectivity of staff
- Education
- Advocacy
- Networking/Connections
- Credibility associated with the organization
- Visibility
- Special Events/Forum
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