By Jessie Burchette
jburchette@salisburypost.com
The organization charged with recruiting industry and bringing jobs to Rowan County will be getting a major facelift of sorts.
The goal is to gain clarity in the effort to market the county, eliminating competitive and confusing messages.
County commissioners have approved a request from the Salisbury-Rowan Economic Development Commission for $35,000 to re-do the agency’s Web site and develop a common theme to be carried out in all printed and electronic media.
Robert Van Geons, executive director, told commissioners recently that the economic development message need to be refined and expanded to include the county-owned industrial park, Summit Corporate Center, and the Rowan County Airport.
During his presentation, Van Geons pointed to existing problems including two competing economic development Web sites for Rowan County ó the EDC Web site and the Rowan Jobs Initiative “Available for Work” Web site.
Van Geons said Rowan Jobs Initiative, a private group created to assist in marketing the county, has agreed to take a back seat to a new EDC website.
He pointed out there is currently no common theme between the EDC’s identity, the “Available for Work” branding campaign or the Rowan County Airport.
Developers now see the airport as providing a competitive advantage and opportunities to attract business and industry.
Van Geons borrowed a quote from former U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes, who said he didn’t see an airport ó “I call it a job port.”
Van Geons displayed several economic development Web sites that clearly have more pizzazz than the Salisbury-Rowan site, including the Blount County, Tenn., site that uses a video map to welcome visitors.
The Web site and other media development and site design for the airport will cost $65,800.
The Economic Development Commission will use $19,100 of its fund balance as well as $11,700 of marketing funds plus the $35,000 from the county to do the project.
The commission sought proposals and prices from multiple companies before selecting the Worx Group of Apex.
The county’s $35,000 will come from $50,000 set aside for possible marketing ó money that the county pulled away from Rowan Jobs Initiative during the June budget process last year. Commissioners questioned a potential conflict of interest involving a director.
Commissioner Tina Hall cast the lone vote against spending the $35,000.
While Van Geons said the money is $40,000 or 30 percent less than was earmarked in the 2009 budget for marketing, Hall argued it is a 30 percent increase.
She noted that the Economic Development Commission is spending most of its funds on administration and administration expenses, not on marketing the county.
Van Geons, who has been on the job since January 2008, said he is making efforts to cut back, going with a less expensive vehicle. He said while he doesn’t play golf, the agency’s country club membership allows access when prospects or clients visit.
Van Geons said he is looking at subscriptions and other administrative costs to weed out unnecessary expenses.
“We run a very lean ship,” he said. At another point, Van Geons again weighed in on his efforts to be frugal: “I’m as cheap as they come.”
Commissioner Raymond Coltrain supported the additional spending. “We must try and catch the eye of companies.”
Commissioner Chad Mitchell cited the tough economic times and the challenge of recruiting industries. “We have to leave the light on for somebody. It’s about jobs, jobs, jobs.”
Mitchell added that while the county doesn’t have “money billowing out of the coffers,” the EDC is Rowan’s best chance at bringing in industry.
“We can’t expect the EDC to market and not fund it,” Mitchell said.
Chairman Carl Ford agreed that the EDC needs to look at cuts in its budget, subscription fees and possibly the country club membership. But Ford added that “you have to spend money to make it … we can’t get too many jobs.”
Ford also stressed that the EDC needs to focus on retaining existing companies and jobs.
Vice Chairman Jon Barber agreed, saying the county needs to be prepared for new industries when the economy turns around.
Van Geons promised to take a close look at EDC spending for the coming year, pointing out that in his first year, he had basically gone with the budget from prior years.
Van Geons also stressed that the revamped Web site and marketing effort is only one component of a comprehensive strategy.
You may contact Jessie Burchette at 704-797-4254.