Newsletter

Growing Your Community's Business Base In A Tough Economy

In this struggling economy, cities and towns must take a more proactive role
in business outreach. Developers, new firms and investors are having
difficulty acquiring capital to initiate development projects, and
communities are currently more focused on business retention than on
business attraction. To avoid stagnation and to set the stage for future
economic growth, some communities are now pursuing an often overlooked
economic development tool - business incubation. Business incubators help
emerging growth companies survive and grow during the start-up period when
they are most vulnerable, creating the opportunity for them to grow into
strong, healthy contributors to a local economy and tax base.

Go to our website
to see some of our completed economic development projects.

Growing Your Green Economy

As the demand for "green technology" and "sustainability" increases, many
communities want to take advantage of this new business trend. However,
attracting companies that are moving toward green technology and
sustainability requires more than just a hope. All communities, especially
those in environmentally conscious New England, want to attract these types
of firms and investment; however, only a few have the necessary resources to
actuate green investment. New Bedford, Massachusetts is one of those
communities. New Bedford's geographic location, shoreline, wind and tidal
exposure, and labor force is attracting green investment. RKG is currently
working on a master plan update in New Bedford, Massachusetts and will be
helping the community build on their economic assets.

What's New at RKG

Current Projects

Even in difficult economic times, states and municipalities still need
economic planning and consulting. Here are a few of our
current projects.

Jimmy E. Hicks Is Retired

Jimmy Hicks joined RKG Associates in 1986 as a Principal. His work focused
on municipal and statewide land use planning, the preparation of regional
plans and economic studies, and the analysis of fiscal impacts associated
with development activities. Jimmy's contribution to RKG Associates was
invaluable. Our staff and our clients wish him the best in his "new life."

Fort Benning Regional Growth Management Plan

RKG Associates recently completed work on the Regional Growth Management
Plan for the Chattahoochee Valley Region (10 counties) of Alabama & Georgia
in response to the BRAC-related growth on Fort Benning, Georgia. RKG was
responsible for Growth Forecasting and Modeling, Economic Impacts, Education
Impacts on Local Agencies and preparing a Fiscal Analysis and Sustainability
Plan.