City:
Hermann
Status:
Active
Category:
Resilient Economy
Contact:
Ron Kraettli
email:
Economic Development
WHY IS THE PROJECT IMPORTANT
In order to ensure a development pathway in Hermann aligns with the vision of it leaders, it is critical that the community have a dedicated economic development leader who is able to guide and manage the process. The eventual goal of this effort is to see the City of Hermann hire a full-time economic developer. This person will be responsible for creating a local economic development plan and launching associated efforts. The GRO team and the economic developer will establish local business incentives and pursue grants that support Hermann’s development.
OVERALL PROJECT GOAL
- In coordination with the City of Hermann, HRED, and GRO, create a plan around how to progress our economic development efforts.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS TO- DATE
- The GRO Team is investigating all the resources that exist locally to help support business development in the city. The organizations include the Chamber, The City, and The Tourism Office.
- The GRO Team is also having regular conversations with the city to understand where there may be some opportunities for community collaboration.
- The GRO team is developing a comprehensive catalog of local resources as a next step. The team is looking at the Aurora document as a potential model. (see link)
- GRO Leader Marie Newell received an ARPA grant funding for her project to provide marketing services to 5 fellow business owners to help them set up their e-commerce website.
- The GRO team plans to connect with the chamber to help students and become mentors to young entrepreneurs.
- GRO Leaders Janet Rodgers and Tammy Bruckerhoff have met and reviewed sites to use for potential use in the area.
- We collaboratively discussed the steps the team can take to revisit this project from a different angle.
- GRO Leader Ron Kraettli will be connecting with Mikal Calvert to find where the Google Maps that was started to find sites is and if we have one.
- GRO Community Engagement Lead Miles Baker will search through our meeting minutes and see if we can find a link to the map.
- The GRO team will also try to find four sites for industrial property in the next four months, then call the Missouri Department of Economic Development to help spread the word about these sites.
- The team reviewed the Flow Of Money and discussed what economic development looks like based on the article focusing on Hermann specifically. (Link Below.)
- We specifically discussed questions Hrishue presented:
- Question: When we are talking about local economic development. What is it exactly?
- According to the article: Defined by commuting patterns; 30min-1 hour drive.
- The team determined: Gasconade County, STL, Columbia, and Jeff City.
- Question: What is the difference between a consumptive (consumer) and a primary (traded sector) business?
- According to the article: Businesses that circulate local money (restaurant) vs. businesses that bring outside money (manufacturing).
- The team discussed: Can we determine whether or not tourism in Hermann can be considered a primary business? Even though we didn’t choose one answer, we did agree that we need to develop our plans geared towards the assets we have.
- Question: What is economic development vs. community development?
- According to the article: Focus on building your primary businesses vs. helping improve the quality of the community that is more attractive for businesses to relocate to.
- The team discussed: Is housing a part of Hermann’s economic development? The team discussed and concluded that housing is a part of economic development in Hermann. This is due to if we find a manufacturing plant, where would the workers live?
- Then the team reviewed the list of available lots that Ron put together. (Link Below.)
- The team will reach out to the two property owners.
- We have decided on three properties to look into and approach the owners with the concept of finding businesses to take their property to put a business in. See the Google Doc to find the primary focus properties.
- Question: When we are talking about local economic development. What is it exactly?
- According to the article: Defined by commuting patterns; 30min-1 hour drive.
- The team determined: Gasconade County, STL, Columbia, and Jeff City.
- Question: What is the difference between a consumptive (consumer) and a primary (traded sector) business?
- According to the article: Businesses that circulate local money (restaurant) vs. businesses that bring outside money (manufacturing).
- The team discussed: Can we determine whether or not tourism in Hermann can be considered a primary business? Even though we didn’t choose one answer, we did agree that we need to develop our plans geared towards the assets we have.
- Question: What is economic development vs. community development?
- According to the article: Focus on building your primary businesses vs. helping improve the quality of the community that is more attractive for businesses to relocate to.
- The team discussed: Is housing a part of Hermann’s economic development? The team discussed and concluded that housing is a part of economic development in Hermann. This is due to if we find a manufacturing plant, where would the workers live?
- Then the team reviewed the list of available lots that Ron put together. (Link Below.)
- The team will reach out to the two property owners.
- We have decided on three properties to look into and approach the owners with the concept of finding businesses to take their property to put a business in. See the Google Doc to find the primary focus properties.
GOALS FOR 2021
The GRO Hermann team will advocate for the city to hire a full-time economic developer. This person will be responsible for creating a local economic development plan and launching associated efforts. The GRO team and the economic developer will establish local business incentives and pursue grants that support Hermann’s development.
MAJOR WINS TO- DATE
NEXT 4 WEEKS PLAN
Next Step: Ron, Raylene, Melissa, and Janet are going to get together and start doing a little research on their own and with the help of Hrishue to see about the different ways to fund an economic developer for Hermann. Hrishue will meet with Raylene to discuss some routes and maybe some grant opportunities.
