Goal One - Broaden the tax base and opportunities by intensifying efforts to expand industry, business, retail, and jobs.
Objective:
Identify unique business opportunities of Indianola and develop a marketing plan that capitalizes on these opportunities.
Strategy One: Identify qualities that make Indianola a unique community for business opportunities.
Action Steps:
Review existing research on Warren Co. from IDC, WCEDC, and other organizations (such as agricultural asset map, labor surveys, housing, etc.)
Review telecommunications options, investments by IMU, and private-sector plans/trends.
"Take a fresh look at what we have & what works"
Strategy Two: Review factors that inhibit business opportunities in Indianola.
Action Steps:
*"Take a look at the past & what didn't work"
Review public policies & summarize findings of other strategic planning committees (i.e. transportation issues)
Review infrastructure limitations in the current Comprehensive Plan
Open dialog with existing businesses on factors that limit their growth
Monitor private marketing (i.e. web links, Des Moines Register, etc.) that we don't control & public perceptions about Indianola
Strategy Three: Identify unmet business opportunities.
Action Steps:
Ensure sub-committee input into the Comprehensive Plan on growth for commercial & industrial areas.
Identify baseline vs. existing "business support services" such as meeting spaces, shared offices & support services, restaurants, technology, outsourcing contractors, etc.
Review existing research and/or conduct new research on under-represented commerce in the area
Review opportunities arising from existing community attractions, destination events, and destination retail businesses
Continue dialog with existing businesses on potential growth opportunities
Strategy Four: Identify current strategies for marketing Indianola.
Action Steps:
Public marketing strategies
Public incentives
Strategy Five: Establish a vision/goals of the "preferred" business environment in Indianola.
Action Steps:
Realistic look at commerce that enhances the "quality of life" and the retail environment
Identify key "macro-economic" trends at the state & local level that will affect the business environment both in the Des Moines metro area and Indianola
Make a recommendation on "what to focus on and do it well" vs. "indecision on direction & letting detractors prevail"
Inclusion of ag-related or value-added manufacturing provided from raw materials/resources in the county/area
Strategy Six: Identify key areas where the current environment needs to change to progress towards the "preferred" environment and recommend changes.
Action Steps:
Review drafts/completed reports of (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), the Comprehensive Plan, planned transportation enhancements, etc. Combine into a working draft of a "business environment" report.
Again include efforts of other applicable Strategic Planning sub-committees
Identify outside supports (i.e. state, federal agencies, public/private partnerships) to attract new types of businesses and real estate development.
Strategy Seven: Initiate redevelopment within a 2-block area each direction from the current square.
Action Steps:
Establish a role for an IDC-type effort (a public/private partnership) to stimulate commercial development within this zone
The goal is to establish a viable central commercial district with a broad base of professional jobs, specialty retail, restaurants, and entertainment establishments
Develop progressive public incentives as needed
Strategy Eight: Adopt a plan for expansion of Indianola's industrial tax base.
Action steps:
Explore the best use of the present industrial site.
Determine the types of industrial expansion desired.
Determine where new industrial expansion should occur.
Implement steps to promote industrial development in planned areas including:
updated planning and zoning documentation
plan for and implement necessary infrastructure development (utilities, roads, technology access, etc.)
identification of incentives
ensure promotion of industrial expansion through marketing initiatives.
Strategy Nine: Coordinate a Marketing Plan with IDC, WCEDC, the Chamber of Commerce, the City of Indianola, and other organizations.
Action Steps:
Determine & review the costs vs. benefits of various changes to the "business environment" to establish a priority of resources (time, money, etc.)
Determine the level of additional resources needed
Incorporate the results of reports & plans as they are completed; don't wait for final products to move forward
Strategy Ten: Implement the Marketing Plan and establish a periodic review process to determine its effectiveness.
Action Steps:
Connect with regional initiatives to attract both citizens and businesses. Examples include "returnees", Simpson grads, Indianola grads, etc.
Market the plan to our own citizens, keeping a core informed & involved
Target those with entrepreneurial assets vs. existing businesses. Examples include small business centers, SBA personnel, business brokers, consultants, etc.
Promote what we do have in terms of "business supports" in conjunction with existing businesses
