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Region reaching out to existing businesses to boost economy Date published: 5/3/2008
By PAMELA GOULD When Jennifer Mihalcoe started making cold calls to Spotsylvania County businesses, some owners reacted with suspicion. Like she might be with the IRS. "They're skeptical because they don't expect the government to be out to help them," said Mihalcoe, Spotsylvania's business development manager. But she and her counterparts in Fredericksburg and Stafford County are working to overcome that mind-set. All three jurisdictions now have someone tasked with assisting businesses that are already established. The goal is to help them survive, thrive and expand. Known as business retention managers, the positions reflect a critical component of the region's economic development efforts and for good reason. Tim Baroody, Stafford's economic development director, noted that 70 percent to 80 percent of new jobs come from existing businesses. POINT PERSON FOR HELP Spotsylvania Economic Development Director Russell Seymour was the first to launch an effort aimed at assisting already established businesses, hiring Mihalcoe in July 2006. Dan Schardein, Stafford's director of code administration, switched to that county's newly created position in February 2007. And Fredericksburg hired Kim Schill, formerly with the American Red Cross, in January. Seymour saw the importance of focusing on business retention while working for the Fredericksburg Regional Alliance. When Spotsylvania hired him 21/2 years ago, one of his first goals was to implement a retention program of his own. Mihalcoe met with people from more than 200 businesses last year and is continually networking, trying to let people know she's there to help. That is job one for each of the business retention managers: introducing themselves and what they offer "We like to be their single point of contact," Mihalcoe said. "They're here to do business. I'm here to help them do that." Schardein had made introductory visits with 305 businesses as of this week. "If I learned one thing this past year, it is: Time is money," he said. In his role, Schardein not only helps current businesses but also serves as an ombudsman for owners trying to set up shop in Stafford. He helped a restaurant meet its goal of opening in North Stafford before Thanksgiving, after learning how critical the timing was to the company's profitability for the year.
Date published: 5/3/2008
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