Working Together Works

At a recent IEDC conference a panel of site selectors answered attendee questions. One attendee asked for advice on creative ways to make one’s community stand out. The consultants’ answer seemed so easy. But unfortunately it is often times the last thing a community thinks of when they are trying to land a company – cooperation. Apparently, it is the one thing that consultants don’t see often enough. Dean Foote, CEcD, senior project manager for economic development real estate services with Carter & Burgess said, “Put the swords away and work with your neighbors. It helps us sort through a project.” The consultants indicated that communities that get all of the fundamentals right are a pleasant surprise. This means having all the key players – the utility, the president of the college that would provide training, the mayor, and other leaders – in the room and having them show that “they’ve talked to each other more than once before.” Working together works.