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Chamber

2005 - 2010 Five Year Strategic Plan

Strategy 1
Ensure our Chamber’s vitality

Position Statement: Strengthen the real and perceived value of Chamber membership to the community. 
  • Successfully complete a new capital campaign to include funding for workforce development, economic development and the new Chamber building for occupation by June 30, 2006, while maintaining the current ratio of operating expense to revenue. (F&O)
  • Grow and strengthen Chamber membership by increasing the retention rate as well as the number of total memberships through programs designed to augment value and satisfaction of chamber membership. (M)
  • Develop and implement a cohesive marketing and communication program to unify the image and role of the Chamber by both the business community and the community at large. (M)
  • Provide training opportunities for Chamber staff, appropriate to Chamber systems and programs. (F&O/M/WD/PP/ED/CVB)
Strategy 2
Develop progressive infrastructure for a dynamic economy in the Asheville region

Position Statement: Position region as a competitive location and destination in the global economy.
  • Provide leadership to build consensus in identifying new or enhanced tourism related community projects that increase visitation and overnight stays in Buncombe County. (CVB)
  • Continue a leadership role in the Asheville-Buncombe-Madison Partnership for Career Pathways programs and business-education partnerships which enhance student learning and support the needs of business. (WD/PP)
  • Support and encourage managed growth alternatives to help balance the quality of life and promotion of economic development. (WD/PP)
  • Support efforts to maintain and increase air service, passenger rail service, improve mass transit/bus services and signage, highway modifications, quality water and services, wireless internet, and increase fiber optics and bandwidth necessary to enhance economic development and tourism.  (ED/WD/PP)
  • Provide leadership for the creation and promotion of innovative affordable housing initiatives and continued support of the local housing trust fund. (WD/PP)
  • Provide leadership to improve and protect the air quality in our region and balance those initiatives with the sustainable needs of the community and business.  (WD/PP)
  • Continue to collaborate with Henderson County representatives for the development of regional publicly owned industrial/business parks to attract new business/industry to create new jobs.  (ED)
  • Develop a strategy for developing and promoting Asheville’s “authenticity of place”.  (ED/WD/PP/CVB)
  • Continue to support the concept of the renovation of the Civic Center with the appropriate funding. (WD/PP/CVB/ED)
Strategy 3
Provide leadership to grow, sustain, and attract business in the Asheville region.

Position Statement: Serve as lead advocate for business issues.
  • Continue to identity and promote Asheville area’s “brand” strengths to new niche business and tourism markets. (CVB)
  • Identify common goals between the City, County and business sector to collaboratively promote the common issues ensuring a proactive approach at a local level for governmental affairs.  (ED/WD/PP)
  • Increase our understanding of and responsiveness to our stakeholders’ needs and goals. (M/ED/WD/PP/F&O)
  • Attract new businesses to the area and support existing business and industry with a special emphasis on workforce recruitment issues. (M/ED/WD/PP)
  • Identify funding sources for the full implementation of the entrepreneurial development system over a multi-year time frame. (ED/SBE)
  • Improve Asheville’s market share of international visitors through regional marketing partnerships. (CVB) 
  • Build consensus for what the “creative economy” is in the Asheville region and then promote it. (CVB/ED/WD/PP)
  • Continue the planning process with other partners to develop the business/biotech incubator.  (ED/SBE)
  • Continue existing programs to sustain and grow Asheville as an important center for multimedia and advanced technology industry. Increase attention to the revitalization of the Asheville Technology Council. Continue support for Space Finder as it continues to evolve and promote the Asheville office market. (ED)
  • Support the Business Healthcare Roundtable, which includes representatives from the provider community (hospital, physicians) as well as large, self-insured companies and small businesses.  The members of the Roundtable are investigating ways to control healthcare and healthcare insurance costs while maintaining quality care in the area. (ED/SBE)
  • Establish the appropriate timing and strategies for a political action committee to support strong business candidates for local and state elected offices. (WD/PP)
  • Provide leadership to build collaborations and enhance communications between the Chamber, UNCA, Western University, A-B Tech, Mission Hospitals, MEA, City of Asheville, Counties in MSA, and others as appropriate. (WD/PP/ED)
  • Provide leadership to link local universities and colleges to industry clusters. (WD/PP/ED)
  • Continue efforts to support cluster development in automotive supply, electronics, plastics, health, bio-tech, tourism, multi-media, software, administrative offices/headquarters, and other developing niches. (ED)
  • Provide leadership during times of natural disasters to support the business community.  (WD/PP/ED/CVB/M)


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