The Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce 2010-2011 Strategic Plan aims to collaborate with public, private, and nonprofit partners to maximize economic growth in the region. The plan's key objectives are to diversify the local economy, increase investment and job creation, and enhance workforce development. Strategies include business retention and expansion efforts, attracting new investment and jobs, and strengthening partnerships across sectors. The Chamber will measure progress towards annual goals for job creation, investment, and other economic indicators.

1. 2010-2011 Strategic Plan
Collaboration Achieves Results
www.thegrcc.org

2. Mission Statement
The Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce facilitates strategic partnerships
between public, private and nonprofit entities to maximize economic growth.
A Message from the Chairman
I am pleased and proud to serve as Chairman of the Operating Board of
the Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce. It is our goal to collaborate
more to achieve positive economic results for the whole community.
Through collaboration and partnership we will achieve greater success. I
invite current and new partners throughout the community to participate
actively in the critical activities underway at the Regional Chamber—
retaining and expanding current employers, gaining new employment and
investment; implementing special initiatives; enhancing the employability
of our future workforce; and increasing business opportunities for our local
firms and entrepreneurs.
Together we can optimize the community’s efforts to achieve these
objectives. We are proving it can be done, even in these challenging economic times. Through expanded
partnerships, we can achieve even greater results. I invite you to join us.
Dr. Julianne Princinsky
Chairman, Operating Board of Directors
President, Baker College Flint
To learn more about Regional Chamber programs, visit www.thegrcc.org
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3. 2010-2011 Strategic Plan
T he Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce is pleased to introduce this Strategic Plan. Input has been
obtained regarding the plan and its components from a broad cross section of community leaders in the
public, private and nonprofit sectors. This plan highlights activity critical to the realization of strategies in
the community’s Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), developed with the input of the
Regional Chamber and its members in 2009-2010.
Results-Oriented Strategies efforts so we can keep producing positive outcomes for our
community. And we will accomplish other important projects
Building a good home requires a good plan. The same is true for the community as well. We will roll out education initiatives
for a community. We have updated our Strategic Plan for and public policy platforms that will help our evolving
2010-2011 so it reflects our current scope of activity and the community move forward.
changing realities of our local and national economy. The
We will continue to build on our existing partnerships and
Regional Chamber’s number one priority is retaining and
look for other opportunities to collaborate with the public and
creating jobs and we are making steady progress in both areas.
private sectors across Genesee County. Strategic planning is at
Our success is the outcome of good planning. Our success the core of creating alliances that will build our community and
is also the outcome of the hard work accomplished by our our business base.
staff and our community partners in the public, private
and nonprofit sectors. For example, the attraction projects This Strategic Plan is a living document and allows for
completed in 2009 will bring more than $91,000,000 in adaptation to changing forces related to the economy, industry
investment and 900 jobs to the community. Last year, our trends, resource availability and other factors. Input may be
Procurement Technical Assistance Center helped area submitted and considered for inclusion at any time throughout
companies win 566 government contracts worth nearly $78 the course of implementation. The Regional Chamber will
million. undertake regular sessions with diverse groups of investors and
community stakeholders to gain input on planning as well as
In 2010-2011 we look to increase retention and attraction the implementation of strategies, progress, and results.
A Message from the CEO
W e look forward to the challenges of completing our two-year plan and
we ask for your continued support. We also seek your input on the
Strategic Plan that is on the following pages. This plan is designed to be
adaptable to new conditions, circumstances and community input. Please
review the document and join with us as we do the work of strengthening
our economy.
Tim Herman
CEO
Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce
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4. Objectives
The Regional Chamber has the following objectives:
• Diversify the local economy • Promote member business opportunities
• Increase investment and job creation • Support local municipalities to enhance economic
• Elevate business and workforce competitiveness development processes
• Enhance K-16 development of future workforce capabilities • Achieve diverse participation in planning and implementation
• Celebrate and promote economic development successes • Increase partnership and collaboration
• Enhance awareness of local assets and strengths
Strategies & Targets
The Genesee Regional Chamber of Commerce has developed a multi-faceted economic development strategy with many
supporting components. First is a focus on retention activities to support the diversification and competitiveness of local firms.
Second, an expanded outreach and marketing program will be conducted outside the area to attract new investment and
businesses into the community.
Both efforts will focus on the diversification of the local economic base with outreach directed at firms who represent the
potential for sales outside the region and job creation. These factors result in the flow of capital into the local economy. Although
not exclusively, firms are likely to be in one the following target sectors:
• Transportation, distribution, and • Homeland security/defense • Advanced manufacturing
logistics • High-tech services • Health science/bio-medicine
• Alternative energy/Alternative fuel • Corporate offices • Water infrastructure-related businesses
Measurable Results
With a disciplined focus on job creation and economic diversification, the Regional Chamber has established annual target goals
for each of the work plan activities. Progress toward these goals will be monitored on a monthly basis and a report card issued
regularly. The Regional Chamber will review with its Operating Board of Directors progress being made toward goals. Stakeholders
will be briefed on a regular basis regarding activity and results. Each year, an Annual Meeting will be held which will include a
complete report to the community.
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5. Work Plan Summary
T he Regional Chamber is organized in three action groups: Economic Development,
Employer Education & Training Connection and Member Services. These groups are
supported by subject matter experts in Public Policy, Communications and Marketing and
General Management. This structure allows the organization to focus resources and execute
programs around the critical operations of the organization.
Action Groups
Economic Development Employer Education Member Services
• Retain and Expand Local Firms & Training Connection • Attract New Members
• Attract New Jobs and • Conduct Workforce, Education, • Retain Current Members
Investment and Training Initiatives by • Enhance Event Revenue and
• Undertake Special Initiatives convening and connecting Member Value
education and training
• Strengthen Partnerships resources with business
• Integrate and Leverage
Programs and Resources to
Serve Business Needs
Subject Matter Experts
Public Policy Communications & Marketing General Management
• Increase State and Federal • Enhance Community Image • Undertake Human Resources
Funding to Genesee County • Provide Regional Chamber Staff Support
• Take Positions on Issues Deemed Marketing Support • Provide Technology Support
“High Impact” for Business • Enhance Regional Chamber • Optimize Management and
• Support Efficiency and Brand Financial Systems
Effectiveness of Local Government • Build Strategic Relationships
and Planning Capacity
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6. Action Steps that Lead to Success
In order to accomplish the established goals of the Strategic Plan the Regional Chamber has
defined critical activities for 2010-2011. These activities will be accomplished by collaboration
with our many community partners.
Economic Development
Retain and Expand Local Firms • Conduct outreach to professional – Use of innovative technology to
site consultants drive economic growth
• Conduct retention outreach
– Gain referrals from staff, clients, • Update marketing materials and – Government contracting
and stakeholders expand communications – Business process improvement
– Enhance content, print materials, and diversification
• Deliver retention/expansion services
– Michigan Manufacturing web site • Continue to grow professional team
Technology Center: Undertake Special Initiatives
Market diversification and
Strengthen Partnerships
competitiveness • Enhance local economic • Establish shared vision with local
– Procurement Technical Assistance development infrastructure government, service providers, etc.
Center: New government contracts – Implement intermodal and – Conduct workshops for input and
corridor strategies consultation
Attract New Jobs and Investment – Support planning and initiatives that – Undertake project reviews for
• Motivate investors to locate in bring resources to the community continuous improvement
Genesee County • Promote Regional Chamber services
– Conduct outreach to investment – Financial packaging programs,
prospects including Economic Development
– Provide advisement and project Corporations
management support – Site and incentives consultation
Public Policy General Management
Increase State and Federal Funding Support Efficiency and Effectiveness of Undertake Human Resources Staff
to Genesee County Local Government Support
• Seek and obtain new funding for economic • Ensure collaboration on major projects Provide Technology Support
development, community infrastructure, • Aid municipalities in supporting business
and other needs growth Optimize Management and
Take Positions on Issues Deemed • Support municipal efforts to achieve Financial Systems
“High Impact” for Business greater efficiency and effectiveness in Build Strategic Relationships and
• Identify county-wide and regional issues economic development processes Planning Capacity
and legislation
• Identify possible solutions and undertake
action on issues
• Inform and engage businesses and
community stakeholders
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7. Employer Education & Training Connection Member Services
Conduct Workforce, Education, Integrate and Leverage Attract New Members
and Training Initiatives by Convening Programs and Resources to Serve • Conduct outreach to potential new
and Connecting Education and Business Needs members
Training Resources With Business • Document education/training/ Retain Current Members
• Work with education/training/ workforce development programs
• Improve member services
workforce development to available for business
– Enhance affinity and cost saving
represent business perspective – Optimize programs offered by
programs
• Optimize K-16 program partner organizations
– Conduct workshops
management and participation • Consult on workforce-related
– Promote member capabilities
– Conduct career preparation and issues for employers
– Support cost savings, • Enhance communication to members
after-school programs at the
K-12 level market diversification, and Enhance Event Revenue
competitiveness and Member Value
• Conduct workshops and events to • Plan and conduct events
enhance business knowledge and – Conduct regular education and
utilization of resources networking sessions
– Optimize seminars offered by – Plan and undertake major events
Regional Chamber departments
• Engage members in special groups
– Business committees
Communications & Marketing
Enhance Community Image Provide Regional Chamber Enhance Regional Chamber Brand
• Promote community strengths to Marketing Support • Manage and evolve the brand of the
local and regional media • Develop marketing strategies and Regional Chamber
– Expand “Partners for Progress” associated materials – Manage look/feel of various
– Maintain steady flow of – Consult with departments and marketing materials
communications to target audiences advise regarding product shaping, – Expand the functionality of the
– Enhance the use of social media strategy, tactics web site to provide services to
– Undertake regional/national members/users
• Collect and disseminate important
campaign for economic – Optimize and re-structure the
data and stories
development targets design of the web site to enhance
– Develop and execute affinity program the search experience
marketing/advertising campaigns
• Promote Regional Chamber products
and services to various target audiences
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8. Operating Board
Officers: At-Large:
Chairman Willie Artis–Secretary
Dr. Julianne Princinsky President
President Genesee Packaging, Inc.
Baker College of Flint
Stuart Forsyth
Chair-elect Community President
John Matonich Citizens Bank, representative
President & CEO for Cathleen H. Nash, President & CEO
Rowe Professional Services Co.
Robert Fuller
CFO
Hubbard Supply
Don Kooy
President
McLaren Regional Medical Center
Steve Landaal
President
Landaal Packaging Systems
Phil Peters–Treasurer
Vice President
Charles Stewart Mott Foundation
Joe Serra
President
Serra Automotive Group
Robert L. Rummel
Senior Vice President
Chase
Dayne Walling
Mayor
City of Flint
Patricia Lockwood
Commissioner
6th District Genesee County Board
of Commissioners-representative
for Jamie Curtis, County Board Chair
519 S. Saginaw St. | Suite 200
Flint, MI 48502
ph: 810.600.1404
f: 810.600.1461
www.thegrcc.org