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Business and Industry

Every Tuesday afternoon, Mayor Larry Fowler meets with Meegan Thompson and Susan Price, the executive directors of the Richland County Economic Development Corporation and the Richland Area Chamber of Commerce, respectively. Both report to the mayor on all economic activities crossing their desk during the preceding week. The trio then takes on any local concerns, addressing issues rather than allowing them to become problems, and actively promoting Richland Center to potential new business concerns. Mayor Fowler’s “hands-on” approach seems to be providing a better pulse on local business and industry, as well as the health of Richland Center’s economy.

While being sensitive to the fact that business recruitment is important to the growth of a community, these three leaders also recognize that business retention is vitally important to the health and longevity of the community. With that in mind, an important outgrowth of the weekly meetings has been the Community Business Outreach Program.

Community Business Outreach Program (CBOP)

The Outreach Program is made up of three parts:

1. Retail and Service – One of Mayor Fowler's goals is to encourage communication with businesses and to promote projects and services available in the community. He sought input from downtown business owners in the form of a “wish list” questionnaire that was hand delivered to them and then picked up a few days later. An almost 75 percent response rate was a clear indication that business leaders want to be heard. Mayor Fowler aims to keep the lines of communication open and active, making sure everyone knows that what they have to say is important to him. It begins by putting faces with names in Richland Center. Along with Susan Price and Laura Bermudo, President of the Chamber Board of Directors, Mayor Fowler began dropping in on businesses to introduce themselves and see if there was anything the business needed. Informal town meetings also provide open discussion opportunities for everyone. Mayor Fowler’s on-going effort to stay connected with the heartbeat of Richland Center’s businesses will include continued visits to businesses, town meetings, ribbon cuttings and an open door policy.

2. Major Employer – In an effort to learn more about Richland Center’s major businesses and what they do, monthly tours are conducted at local industrial facilities and large employers. The outreach committee is made up of about 20 local and regional representatives who are involved in economic development issues.

They tour the facility and follow with a dialogue with the industry’s management team. This gives everyone an opportunity to get to know each other and create new community contacts.

The entire group is becoming more informed as to what industry needs are and what the committee and the community can do to better serve them.

3. Industry – As more and more of Richland’s manufacturers voiced similar interests during the tours, it became clear that shared programs might benefit everyone. The new Industry Round Table meetings bring industry leaders together to work on common ground. Some of the topics currently being addressed in round table discussions include employee training programs, meeting OSHA safety requirements, sharing freight services, modifying upscale housing needs, new business prospects and employee recruitment.

Bringing public awareness to the importance of our businesses and industries is high on Mayor Fowler’s list of objectives. The City, working closely with City Utilities, targets construction projects that not only help the city's residents but also spur growth in our community. Community leaders are prepared for new growth and development in Richland Center, and now more than ever before they are informed as to what businesses need in order to be successful here.