2015-2017Strategic Plan

Mission, Vision, and Values Statement.............. 4

Strategic Planning Process................................. 6

Strategic Priorities............................................... 8

Economic Development Strategies.................. 10

Community Development Strategies................ 12

Term Definitions................................................... 14

www.nrgrda.org/strategicplan

Mission:TheThe New River Gorge Regional Development Authority initiates, facilitates and supports the community and economic development efforts within the counties of Fayette, Nicholas, Raleigh and Summers located in thethe New River Gorge Region of

West Virginia.

Vision Statement:The New River Gorge region is a

collection of vibrant, prosperous, futuristic-thinking people

and employers.

Core Values: Being a community-minded organization Improving the business climate Serving our communities and their families Creating opportunities for diversified growth Acting with honesty, integrity, and tenacity in our work Building a sense of pride in working together across the region to create our future

Planning Process:NRGRDA embarked on a three-part strategic planning initiative in August NRGRDA embarked on a three-part strategic planning initiative in August 2014. Prior to August, the board identified a facilitator. Board and staff members worked with Stone Strategies, LLC to establish meeting goals and oversee the planning process. A Regional Input Session was held on the morning of November 19, 2014. Amy Shuler Goodwin, Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Commissioner of Tourism addressed the group. Regional Input Session participants provided content for a regional vision and direction for the mission of NRGRDA. Immediately following the Regional direction for the mission of NRGRDA. Immediately following the Regional Input Session the board met to establish NRGRDA’s vision, mission, core values, and strategic priorities for the next three years. On November 20th, NRGRDA staff met to set strategies to achieve the direction set by the board and regional input participants. The Regional Input Session and board planning meeting took place at Tamarack in Raleigh County, West Virginia. The staff session the following day took place inHinton, West Virginia. Consensus decision-making wasused by board and staff to affirm all plan content.NRGRDA’s strategic plan was finalized in December2014.

Participants: More than 150 participantsattended the Regional Input Session on themorning of November 19, 2014. Regional Inputsession attendees included early childhood,session attendees included early childhood,public, and higher education administrators;public service organizations; localgovernment officials; small businessowners; private industry leaders andothers. Nine board members attendedthe board planning session on theafternoon of November 19, 2014. afternoon of November 19, 2014. Eight participants attended the staffplanning session on November20th, 2014.

Strategic Priorities:Existing Business Development

Start-Up Support

Workforce Preparation

Prospect Development

Quality of Place

Community Capacity BuildingCommunity Capacity Building

Community Beautification

Target Industries:Tourism

Wood Products / Forestry

Agribusiness / Food Systems

Distribution / Logistics

Manufacturing

Back Office OperationsBack Office Operations

WORKFORCE PREPARATIONStrengthen and grow the workforce within the New River Gorge region by:

Improving the health and wellness of all residents through the implementation of the initiative Active Southern West Virginia.

Helping the region address future workforce challenges associated with systemic youth poverty through a variety of technical assistance programs. Hosting a regional forum on youth poverty and its implications on the future workforce.

Hosting forums with multiple partners (education, employers, workforce development agencies and employees) on workforce issues.

EXISTING BUSINESS DEVELOPMENTDeliver technical assistance and financial resources to companies expanding their operations or retaining existing jobs in the New River Gorge region by:

Managing a loan program to aid with the creation and/or preservation of jobs.

Conducting existing business visits to build and maintain strong connections with employers.

Coordinating efforts through our economic development partner network to rapidly respond to the specific needs of a company.

Communicating business successes.

4START-UP SUPPORTProvide support for entrepreneurs and foster a culture of entrepreneurship in the New River Gorge region by:

Partnering with the WV Small Business Development Center to engage a full-time business coach in the region.

Managing an innovative Regional Business Accelerator.

Exploring new funding support mechanisms for start-ups.

Partnering with organizations to design and implement a variety of youth and adult entrepreneurial initiatives.

PROSPECT RECRUITMENTLocate new companies in target industries to the New River Gorge region by:

Marketing and increasing exposure for the region and regional businesses.

Developing an ongoing and comprehensive inventory of sites and buildings.

Developing a system to promote regional business assets.

Coordinating and communicating accurate and relevant research data for prospective business analysts.

Focusing recruitment programs for target industries including: agribusiness and food systems, back-office operations, distribution and logistics, forestry and wood products, manufacturing, and tourism.

WWW.NRGRDA.ORG