Roane Alliance Launches Online One-Day Blitz of Roane Industries
Wednesday December 02, 2009
Kingston, TN -- On Wednesday, December 2, the Roane Alliance - along with its regional economic development partners in the Innovation Valley -- will be contacting hundreds of local industries and other significant employers to discuss ways to help those businesses be better prepared for the economic recovery.
During the economic downturn many companies have tightened their belts to stay in business. The regional partners will be providing advice and directing companies to resources that could help reduce costs, train employees, and prepare for the recovery.
"We will be contacting our local industries via email asking them to complete a short survey," said Wanda Pinkerton, who works with Business Retention and Expansion at the Roane Alliance. "The survey will help us make sure they are aware of available assistance; see if they want to learn more about energy efficiencies for their business as well as allow us to learn more about some of their major challenges.
"We plan to compile the information from the survey and follow-up with the industries by getting them information they may be needing or facilitating meetings with appropriate resource agencies, etc. Existing industries are major contributors to the local economy and it's important that we do all we can to help them survive and grow, especially as we are coming out of this downturn."
The Existing Industry Blitz Day is an initiative of Innovation Valley Inc. a regional economic development effort that brings together chamber of commerce and economic developers from across the Knoxville-Oak Ridge area. The partners in Innovation Valley are Blount County Chamber of Commerce, Knoxville Chamber, Loudon County Economic Development Agency, Oak Ridge Economic Partnership, The Roane Alliance, and Tellico Reservoir Development Agency.
The agencies will be discussing business strengthening programs, utility efficiencies, job training resources, and how find the right employees.
The Roane Alliance's Business Retention and Expansion program works with local industries to help them be more successful. The program has been in place for more than two years and is based on frequent communication, providing regular updates of information of importance to industries through email and phone calls as well as personal visits.
The Roane Alliance is Roane County's economic development organization and consists of both public and private organizations, including the Roane County Chamber of Commerce, the Roane County Industrial Development Board and the Roane County Visitors Bureau.
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