Business Retention Efforts
The goal of the business retention program is to create an environment for businesses
to succeed and the community to prosper.
Business Retention Report
The Business Retention Report is part of our progressive business retention program
to retain businesses in Douglas County, which is a primary focus of our economic
development efforts. Douglas County is one of the few communities that utilizes
Synchronist, an economic development software program, in its business retention
efforts. The purpose of the program is to assess how Douglas County can create a
better environment for local businesses to succeed.
Businesses are surveyed annually, with over 250 questions assessing the individual
business and the community as a place to do business. The survey also provides business
leaders opportunities to rank the quality of city and county services, assess the
workforce and identify key barriers to growth for the community.
The surveys are analyzed and an annual Business Retention Report is created so
that surveys may be shared. The report is evaluated by key stakeholders and business
retention strategies are formed. These strategies are placed in an annual Business
Retention Plan.
Click on the links below to view copies of the report and plan.
In response to the Business Retention Report, the City of Lawrence has recently
formed a Business Retention Taskforce that will make recommendations to the city
commission as to how to create a better environment for businesses. Specifically,
the taskforce will study and address the lower ratings of regulatory enforcement,
community planning and traffic control that were brought out in the Business Retention
Report.
In addition to the Business Retention Report and Business Retention Plan the
Lawrence Chamber of Commerce has a variety of other business retention programs.
Information about these programs is promoted through quarterly letters.
Douglas County businesses are essential to the strength and vitality of our communities.
Business contributions to schools, infrastructure, parks, etc. are invaluable. As
such, the elected officials with the City of Lawrence Douglas County and USD 497,
in conjunction with the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, have started a pro-active
business visitation program targeting Douglas County’s largest employers.
Elected Officials Visitation Program
The program consists of visitations to employers by a team of representatives
from the Lawrence City Commission, Douglas County Commission, USD 497 School
Board, and Lawrence Chamber of Commerce. These visitations provide a unique
opportunity for company officials to have a candid dialogue with the elected
officials about issues facing the business community in Douglas County. For more information on the
elected officials program, please contact Beth Johnson at 865.4425 or
bjohnson@lawrencechamber.com.