Local economic developers, key account managers, community improvement corporations, chamber executives and other Business Development organizations understand that up to 80% of new jobs created in a region come from existing business.  For that reason, AMP-Ohio formed a Business Retention Support Service to help members retain existing businesses such as key accounts (please see "Direct Connections").

However, these local Professionals also realize that 100% of business losses come from existing business and industry.  That is why in order to sustain a "vibrant" local economy; a community can not afford to put all its eggs in one basket.  A community needs to give equal attention to both business retention and business attraction.  For that reason, AMP-Ohio formed a Business Development Service.  AMP-Ohio provides its members two options for support.

Base Level Model
AMP-Ohio provides a base level of Business Development Support for all members.  In addition to other public power promotion activities, AMP-Ohio's Business Development staff researches and maintains a database of local chamber, economic development and community improvement corporation contacts, as well as a database of national account contacts (i.e. corporate offices familiar with public power).  If a business requests information on a specific member community, or a member community requests information on a specific corporate account, the database is used to fulfill the request and to deliver the information to the appropriate contacts.  AMP-Ohio Business Development staff will assist and support member communities in the promotion of public power communities to potential new businesses.  AMP-Ohio provides the base model of Business Development support for all members.

Aggressive Level Model
For members desiring a more aggressive level of business attraction support, the Business Development unit supports member promotion by organizing and administering a member driven business attraction and professional economic development education program for any member desiring to participate.  The education and business attraction aspect is supported through research, identification, qualification and dissemination of AMP-Ohio derived new business leads, professional site location, consultant and national account communication outreach, direct mail campaigns, selective co-op advertising, attendance at trade shows and corporate executive real estate conferences and memberships in Professional Associations like the Industrial Asset Management Council (IAMC) and CoreNet Global.  Financial support for this more aggressive model is provided through voluntary contributions received from interested members and in part by an “in-kind” labor contribution from AMP-Ohio.  Business Development supports this member alliance and their goal of maintaining a vibrant economy by identifying and potentially capturing new capital investment and job creation.  This more aggressive model of Business Development is open to any member who desires to voluntarily contribute to this joint effort.

To learn more about the Business (Economic) Development service, please call Bob DeWitt, Director of Business Development, at 614/337-6222 ext. 180 or send e-mail to bdewitt@amp-ohio.org.