Some state legislatures are demanding more transparency into the use of funds and incentives by economic development corporations (EDCs), and new rules from the Government Accounting Standards Board will require local and state EDCs to report more information on their tax breaks.
Many such agencies—including those in Indiana, Ohio, North Carolina, Michigan and Missouri—have had success attracting and retaining companies by offering incentives like tax breaks, job training grants and access to capital for entrepreneurial ventures.
Yet EDCs in many states are coming under fire. Florida’s economic development organizations have been fighting legislation seeking to eliminate tax incentives, while Virginia was rocked by a state audit that revealed misuse of funds by an economic development group. Greg LeRoy, executive director of policy resource center Good Jobs First, questions some EDCs’ lack of transparency, doling out “corporate welfare” and failure to deliver returns.
Designed and managed well, however, EDCs can give state economies—and employment rates—a boost. Jeff Finkle, CEO of the International Economic Development Council, concedes that qualifying a return on investment can be “a difficult measurement issue,” but adds that EDCs can point to metrics like the number of companies moving to the state, capital investments and wage growth. An IEDC report says that “high-performing” EDCs tend to be driven by their customers, operate with a strong strategic plan, constantly evaluate and adjust, and are efficient with funding and resources.
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1:00 - 5:00 pm
Over 70% of Executives Surveyed Agree: Many Strategic Planning Efforts Lack Systematic Approach Tips for Enhancing Your Strategic Planning Process
Executives expressed frustration with their current strategic planning process. Issues include:
Steve Rutan and Denise Harrison have put together an afternoon workshop that will provide the tools you need to address these concerns. They have worked with hundreds of executives to develop a systematic approach that will enable your team to make better decisions during strategic planning. Steve and Denise will walk you through exercises for prioritizing your lists and steps that will reset and reinvigorate your process. This will be a hands-on workshop that will enable you to think about your business as you use the tools that are being presented. If you are ready for a Strategic Planning tune-up, select this workshop in your registration form. The additional fee of $695 will be added to your total.
2:00 - 5:00 pm
Female leaders face the same issues all leaders do, but they often face additional challenges too. In this peer session, we will facilitate a discussion of best practices and how to overcome common barriers to help women leaders be more effective within and outside their organizations.
Limited space available.
10:30 - 5:00 pm
General’s Retreat at Hermitage Golf Course
Sponsored by UBS
General’s Retreat, built in 1986 with architect Gary Roger Baird, has been voted the “Best Golf Course in Nashville” and is a “must play” when visiting the Nashville, Tennessee area. With the beautiful setting along the Cumberland River, golfers of all capabilities will thoroughly enjoy the golf, scenery and hospitality.
The golf outing fee includes transportation to and from the hotel, greens/cart fees, use of practice facilities, and boxed lunch. The bus will leave the hotel at 10:30 am for a noon shotgun start and return to the hotel after the cocktail reception following the completion of the round.
