Georgia Department of Economic Development to Lead Trade Mission to China

Newswise — The Georgia Department of Economic Development is leading a trade mission to Qingdao, Beijing and Shanghai China July 10 – 17. The delegation includes state of Georgia officials and business leaders who will explore business, trade, education, agriculture, and tourism opportunities.

“China is a critically important market for our state, and Georgia’s second-largest export market,” said Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Carr. “This mission is an opportunity to increase investment opportunities by showcasing some of Georgia’s great assets including agriculture, education, trade and tourism.”

The mission is anchored around the 2014 Qingdao International Horticultural Exposition. Georgia was the only U.S. state invited to showcase a garden at the exposition featuring 35 separate garden exhibits with dozens of countries and regions participating. A dedicated group of students from the University of Georgia designed the garden featuring flowers and plants native to Georgia to reflect the unique character of the state. More here.

Florida’s Great Northwest recruiting jobs at Farnborough

NICEVILLE — A five-member delegation from Northwest Florida is leaving for London later this week on a mission to bring aviation jobs to the region.

The group of economic development professionals will attend the Farnborough Air Show where hundreds of aviation companies will be meeting to buy, sell and demonstrate the latest in airplanes, helicopters and other aviation products and services.

Headed up by Florida’s Great Northwest, the region’s economic development marketing organization, the group has set up appointments over the four-day event with leading global aerospace companies.

“We will be meeting with the decision makers of aerospace OEMs and major suppliers to discuss why we believe they can be successful in Northwest Florida,” said Larry Sassano, president of Florida’s Great Northwest. “Aviation companies are one of our top targets and there is no better place than Farnborough to have a captive audience with this many companies.” More here.

LEDC focused on attracting new business

By Stacy Burt

With great incentive packages, a strong workforce and room to build and expand, Liberty stands out as a unique community in the metro area for attracting businesses, according to Rick McDowell, executive director of the Liberty Economic Development Corp.

McDowell addressed members of the Liberty Area Chamber of Commerce during a lunch meeting June 24 at Belvoir Winery, providing a portrait of how the city looks on current and anticipated growth.

McDowell is charged with identifying businesses that are starting from the ground up and those interested in relocating, and persuading them to consider doing business in Liberty.

“We have been on a pretty good roll, with Ford, LMV and RockTenn,” said McDowell. “The various things we’ve had happen here, I just want that to continue.” More here.

Charlotte recruiting expert: 'Texas has to buy jobs'

Erik Spanberg
Senior Staff Writer- Charlotte Business Journal

Don’t mess with Texas? Charlotte consultant Michael Gallis begs to differ.

The urban planning, transportation and trade expert told me during a recent interview that he disagrees with the perception of the Lone Star State as one of the most attractive for business. Annual rankings by national magazines and others who follow corporate recruiting often put Texas (and North Carolina, for that matter) near the top. During the conversation, I asked about developing more highly skilled workers in Charlotte and North Carolina and about the prospects for adding better jobs.

Those topics led Gallis to a comparison between business-climate darling Texas and California, considered a pariah by many because of its tax rates and regulatory environment. CNBC recently ranked California the 32nd-best state for business, to cite one of many examples.

“Texas calls itself the most successful state at creating jobs,” Gallis told me. “What Texas does is they have more money to buy jobs. They should really say Texas has bought more jobs that they call ‘economic development.’ If I buy a job with tax incentives or other incentives, can you really call that economic development or do you just say, ‘We have more money, we bought more jobs than anyone else.’ OK, that’s more of a real statement.” More here.

Tech to keep powering San Francisco's job machine

Patrick Hoge
Reporter- San Francisco Business Times

Of all the demand for new office space in San Francisco, 80 to 85 percent is coming from technology companies, according to researchers.

That reflects the dramatic pace at which technology companies have been adding jobs, with employment in the sector up about 17 percent last year compared with an overall employment increase of 4.6 percent.

And the pace of hiring in tech isn't expected to slow, according to a new survey of chief information officers at 100 technology companies in the Bay Area done by Robert Half Technology, the staffing firm.

“It’s going to continue, and it’s going to be more and more difficult to hire very skilled IT professionals because at this point you’re hiring them away from your competitors,” said Dakin Gunn, Robert Half’s director of permanent placement services in San Francisco. More here.

6 states that want to steal California jobs

Richard Procter
Intern- San Francisco Business Times

With an economy that rivals some nations, it comes as no surprise California and its jobs spark envy in other states. More than a few have made it plain they want to pick off companies that power the Golden State's massive economic engine.

California has been churning out jobs, thanks to Twitter, Salesforce and Dropbox, but there have been some high-profile exits. Union Bank's parent company announced in May it was leaving San Francisco for New York. It joins Bank of America and Transamerica as companies that no longer call California home. Toyota recently moved its North American headquarters to Texas.

Meanwhile, politicians like Texas Gov. Rick Perry make no secret of their plans to woo California companies. Charles Schwab has said it will move 1,000 jobs out of San Francisco to places like Colorado and Texas over the next three to five years.

Should we be worried? State authorities don't appear terribly concerned. More here.

GE incentive deal among richest in Cincinnati history

Chris Wetterich
Staff reporter- Cincinnati Business Courier

In an incentive deal that could be the richest in Cincinnati history, General Electric will receive 85 percent of the city income taxes its employees pay for the next 15 years in order to locate its U.S. global operations center and its $142 million annual payroll at the Banks downtown, according to those familiar with the agreement.

The Cincinnati City Council and the Hamilton County Commission are expected to be asked to vote on the deal at a special joint meeting at 10 a.m. Monday at Great American Ball Park. The total monetary value was unclear.

The deal calls for:

• A 100 percent property tax abatement for developer Carter and Dawson Co. for the office building it will build to house the expected 1,800 jobs.

• A 15-year lease on the 10-story, 340,000 square foot, $90 million, LEED-certified building. The lease will have five, five-year renewal options.

• 1,500 discounted parking spaces at the Banks for GE employees.

GE must stay in the city for the next 18 years.

Other than major bragging rights, the deal is not expected to give the city an immediate, major tax boost. But the combination of the 18-year length of the agreement plus the renewal clause in the lease will keep the multinational giant downtown for at least 20 years. More here.

Cities along state Route 78 corridor chip in $23,000 each for regional marketing

By Promise Yee

Jun 30, 2014

REGION — Cities along the state Route 78 corridor are banking on regional marketing to attract more businesses to North County.

Oceanside approved $23,000 for annual regional marketing on June 25.

The cities of Carlsbad, Vista, and Escondido have also approved funds, and San Marcos will OK funds in July.

Once San Marcos is officially on board, a regional logo and campaign will be launched to attract out of area businesses.

Cities will continue their own marketing, but regional efforts will highlight the collective resources cities share. This includes regional workers, colleges and universities, and housing.

Another big plus North County has to offer to businesses is available land for development, and empty buildings to set up shop.

“More businesses within San Diego County are looking for an alternative,” Steve Jepsen, Oceanside city manager, said. “We want them to be aware of the assets North County has to offer.” More here.

Site selection specialists see advantages to CEO-led economic group

Allen Young
Staff Writer- Sacramento Business Journal

News last week that private-sector leaders are quietly developing a CEO-led economic development group suggests Sacramento is following a national trend, two site-selection specialists said Monday.

CEOs can add credibility to a business recruitment pitch, but in some cases also may have a commercial interest in concealing important information, said John Boyd, founder of The Boyd Co., a Princeton, N.J-based site selection firm.

About 70 percent of business-location decisions are driven by data in areas like tax structure and cost of living – in other words, factors outside a CEO's control, said King White, a Dallas-based site selection consultant.

But the other 30 percent is salesmanship, he said. And there they can make a difference. More here.

Wayne Economic Development Council continuing positive momentum

By BOBBY WARREN Staff Writer Published: June 18, 2014

WOOSTER -- The success of the Wayne Economic Development Council did not come by accident, but by establishing a vision, following a strategic plan, making tough decisions, engaging the public and private sectors and doing the work.

To keep the momentum moving in a positive direction, the organization embarked on a third Growing a Quality Future Campaign with the aim of raising $2.3 million to tackle five strategic areas:

Growth through existing businesses; attracting new companies; connect business leaders with one another; promote work force development and address infrastructure needs; and continue to provide economic development services at a high level through its public and private partnerships.

Rod Crider, WEDC president, unveiled the public phase of this third campaign Tuesday at the Shisler Center on the campus of the Ohio Agricultural Resource and Development Center. The success of the organization has led to more investment in the county and more opportunities for jobs.

For the past eight years, Wooster/Wayne County micropolitan has been ranked among the Top 6 in the United States by Site Selection magazine based on the number and value of qualifying economic development projects. More here.

City marketing plan enters phase II

by Laura Freeman | Reporter

Hudson -- A city should be in the front of someone's mind when the president or owner of a company is looking for a place to locate a new business, according to the city of Hudson's marketing plan.
Economic Development Director Chuck Wiedie said the second phase of the marketing strategy plan will be ongoing and requires repetition of the "Business Welcome" message by the city to businesses to create a presence.

With phase 1 of the marketing strategy completed, phase II was unveiled to Council June 10 by Wiedie, Communications Manager Jody Roberts and George Snider of the economic growth board.

Part of the strategy is to use a variety of methods such as articles, direct mail, emails, visits, hosting group events and attending events to present the message "Business Welcome. Workforce Ready." about Hudson to potential businesses.

Mayor William Currin said all residents are ambassadors of Hudson to visitors and should encourage businesses to locate in Hudson.

The city hired Denver-based Atlas Advertising in October 2012 for a three-year contract for $254,000 to develop a marketing plan to attract businesses. More here.