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Leveraging the Power of the Community 205

and unlock opportunities to business growth. While one of
their primary goals is to keep businesses from relocating to
other areas, it is also set up to help businesses survive and
prosper in economically challenged environments.

The process begins when the Hants RDA’s Account
Executive requests a one to two-hour site visit interview with
an executive of the company, e.g. the President, CEO, owner,
or manager to introduce the Hants RDA’s business retention
and expansion program (BR+E) through a site visit. Before
the visit, an account executive will have thoroughly
researched the company. Some background information will
be conorganizationed, but the discussion will focus on chal-
lenges and opportunities facing the company. In addition to
the interview, the account executive may request a short
facility tour, if appropriate. After each interview, the account
executive records a summary of the discussion in a confi-
dential database. This database tracks follow-up with each
company and allows the creation of reports on community-
wide business trends (without naming any companies).

Local Action Teams work with employers to develop
immediate solutions and long-term strategies that support
business growth. Action Team members have the resources
and experience to effectively identify, review, and act on
issues affecting local business in areas such as:

● accessing new customer markets
● recruiting skilled employees
● addressing training needs
● addressing business location and relocation needs
● accessing financing information
● assisting with local government.

All of these activities have significant impact on customer
management and the particular dynamics of the economic
transition or challenge.