May 30th, 2014 by WCBC Radio
Efforts to attract new businesses to a region can be one of the most difficult challenges for local governments. Even with a strong, coordinated economic development team in place in Cumberland and Allegany County- the misses usually far out number the hits. However, according to the city’s economic development coordinator, even when a lobbying campaign to land a new company falls short, it can prove to be a good learning experience for local officials. Shawn Hershberger told business leaders recently that last year alone, four different companies that could have created significant employment opportunities for the area- fell through. He said each negotiation, although close, ended without a deal in place. He emphasized while those talks did not reap any immediate benefits- the lessons learned during the process will prove valuable in future attempts to attract new business- adding that an outsiders perspective often times helps identify the city’s deterents to attracting business, it can also shine a light on its sellng points.
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