DID YOU KNOW?: The Chamber’s Business Retention & Expansion (BRE) Initiatives

One of the most important pillars of economic development in a community is to provide the resources and assistance to existing employers in the community through Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) initiatives. These initiatives help identify issues that could force a company to fail or close, and to prevent companies from relocating to a new community. According to the International Economic Development Council, 80% of new jobs and capital investment comes from companies that already exist in your community.

When done right, BRE can provide the data and background needed to continue maintaining a business-friendly environment; assist in growth opportunities for existing employers; offer employment opportunities for local residents through job training or entrepreneurship efforts; and assist with strategically attracting new companies.

The Round Rock Chamber leads BRE initiatives for the City of Round Rock through a proactive business visitation program through face-to-face meetings with business leaders in order to identify challenges and opportunities. There are two targeted business visitation programs done in the spring and the fall, but meetings are also held throughout the year as needed.

Information and data compiled during the spring push is compiled, comparing trends year over year, and shared with Momentum investors.

The outcomes of these meetings have helped local businesses in the following ways:

• Identify existing buildings for expansions or land for future development,
• Providing resources for financing for new equipment or operations,
• Finding or training new workers by working with local education partners,
• Assistance with the creation of training programs needed for local employers and
• Help with permitting, licensing or infrastructure needs.

The Round Rock Chamber is open to meeting with you and your business to discuss any options that we may be able to provide assistance with. The easiest way to begin the process is to complete a short survey to provide initial information about your business: BRE Online Survey. You can also email Zach Scott, Sr. Director of Workforce and Industry Development, for more information: zscott@roundrockchamber.org.

For more information on Momentum, please see the following site: https://roundrockchamber.org/about/invest-in-momentum/.