FCG Presents at IEDC Fall Meeting
Tag: IEDC
2013 IEDC AZ Basic Economic Development Course
FCG was proud to be a part of the 2013 IEDC AZ Basic Economic Development Course, that took place downtown Phoenix last week. The class was possible thanks to our partners, the Arizona Association of Economic Development (AAED); and APS for its incredible hospitality.
The week-long training course included topics such as Strategic Planning and Workforce Development. We had the most amazing instructors that gave valuable presentations throughout the week. Our group of students was great as well; most of them reside here in the Valley, but we had a student from as far away as Missouri. Everyone worked well together, and seemed to enjoy the opportunities to network with one another. Outside of the educational benefits of the course, these events are an excellent way to make professional connections.
During the course, the students were given a Case Study on which to work in teams. At the end of the week, the teams gave thought-provoking presentations based on the findings of the Case Study. Everyone did a fantastic job! Per our group of judges (Teri Drew, John Chan, Jennifer Graves, and Sally Odette), Team 3 was deemed the overall winner of the project.
This year’s class was rewarding and a success. We hope to work with AAED next year in facilitating the 2014 Course. We would like to give thanks to all of this year’s organizers and participants, and extra special thanks to our spectacular instructors and judges! Thank you: David Bentler; Ivett Cuen; Evelyn Casuga; Sally Odette; John Chan; Joyce Grossman; Susan Hyatt; Jill Buschbacher; Dave Roderique; Teri Drew; Jennifer Graves; Brian Dalke; Barry Broome; John Morales; Steve Kiefer; Janice Kleinwort; Katherine Hutton; David Krietor; Steve Vierck; Judie Scalise; and Mike Hammond.
The IEDC Arizona Basic Course Comes to Phoenix
Furthering your education in economic development will allow you to participate in the development and growth of your community. The Arizona Association for Economic Development, the leading professional economic development association in the State of Arizona, is proud to offer the 2013 Arizona Basic Economic Development Course. This course has been accredited by the International Economic Development Council (IEDC), the professional organization for economic developers. Join us this January in sunny Arizona!
For more information about the 2013 Arizona Basic Course, please download the official PDF flyer here: 2013 Arizona Basic Economic Development Course
IEDC Economic Development Journal Publication
Greetings, Everyone!
We are pleased to share that our associate Steve Vierk, CEcD of AngelouEconomics had his article, “Your Major Employer Leaves – Now What?” published in the IEDC’s Economic Development Journal (Volume 10/Number 4/Fall 2011). The article features the framework that FCG developed with AngelouEconomics while working with the City of Moraine (Greater Dayton Region) Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS). Please view the article in PDF format here. Congratulations to Steve, AngelousEconomics, and everyone involved in the creation of the great article!
Happy holidays!
FCG Published in Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce Article
Deane was recently interviewed for an article published in the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce E-newsletter, BUSINESSdriver. The story, written by Sandy Des Georges, is published on the Chamber website; you can view it here: http://www.phoenixchamber.com/news/newsletter/marketing/2011/0714/growth or you can read the article below:
Size Wise: Keys to Expanding Your Business
July 6th, 2011
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe…
Is your business beginning to feel like a size 10 trying to serve clients in a size seven setting? If so, there is much to consider inside the laces, and Valley-based Foote Consulting Group has earned a solid foothold in the development-related consulting industry. Be it real estate, site selection, workforce development or economic development services, President Deane C. Foote, with over 35 years professional experience in the development field, has built a network across the Valley, across the country and even in Mexico.
“New business growth means the need to plan for expansion,” says Foote, who has directed economic development assignments for the Arizona Department of Commerce, Greater Phoenix Economic Council, and a number of similar agencies from Ohio to Nebraska and from New Mexico to Iowa. “We advise our clients to act, not wait too long; oftentimes companies put off expansion and relocation and work in understaffed, overcrowded facilities for too long.
“Careful planning in a realistic timeframe is the key.”
A regular presenter at the International Economic Development Council, CoreNet and regional economic development workshops nationwide, Foote and his expert team of consultants pay attention to the important considerations and questions facing business owners who are feeling the squeeze. Among the top attention-getters are planning for a smooth transition, one that minimizes disruption of services; allowing time for the site selection process that takes into account project success criteria such as freight/logistics, labor costs/conditions; utilities and infrastructure; and taxes and incentives.
The site selection process has been refined over years of successful relocations.
Foote likes the Valley marketplace and its many advantages, which is good news for local companies experiencing growing pains – oftentimes, an expansion locally is the most cost-effective decision.
“The Valley is an excellent location for expansion or relocation,” says Foote, a founding board member of the Site Selectors Guild, a company promoting and enhancing the site selection profession. “The recently enacted tax law will offer lower corporate income taxes, tax credits and potential grants. Past tax credit laws have spurred the solar industry in Arizona, including new manufacturing plants for First Solar in Mesa, and Suntech in Goodyear. Plus, many solar suppliers like Sisener, a Spanish company, are now flocking to the Phoenix area, the heart of the U.S. Solar industry.”
Foote notes these important steps in the site selection process as he and his team of pros consider business growth options for their clients across the Valley and the country:
- Detailed labor market assessment of potential markets
- Analysis of labor costs, availability and quality factors in each comparison market
- Detailed assessment of quality-of-life factors such as education ratings and cost of living and housing
- Detailed freight/logistics analysis to assess cost of moving goods to/from markets
- Evaluation of new buildings or sites for building
- Incentives negotiations, including tax abatements, tax credits, training funds, loans and/or grants.
Get Connected
Foote Consulting
www.footeconsulting.com
This story, written by Sandy Des Georges, is part of the Chamber’s monthly Business Driver email. To sign up for any or all of the Chamber’s email newsletters, click here.