Economic Development Projects Case Studies & Recent Project Examples
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Economic Development Project Case Study
1: Central Florida CRA
A Florida Community Revitalization Area (CRA) populated by low to very low income residents was mired in devastatingly weak economic circumstances from which there appeared to be no relief. Even its commercial corridor had been abandoned years earlier leaving no expectation for a turnaround.
After careful analysis, William Gauger & Associates recommended the CRA market new program incentives through the use of grants. WGA suggested CRA resident grant money be used for rehabilitation of commercial and residential structures located in the area requiring relief. We advocated the creation and implementation of a marketing plan to promote the participation of local and regional lenders. Our team worked with local grassroots organizations on a “get the word out” marketing campaign. We created pamphlets with official grant applications that shared information on available grants and how to apply for them.
Materials were distributed throughout the CRA, made available at the city planning department and distributed to local banks participating in the campaign. WGA coordinated meetings and prepared presentations to market program participation to lenders. We created and distributed program marketing materials including program overviews and sample terms and conditions of the grant programs. Lenders were contacted prior to determining grant structure to facilitate a coordinated effort between the CRA Trust and lenders.
This program created substantial interest among CRA businesses and residents and led to increased revitalization activity facilitated by the grant program. We carefully crafted materials that clearly defined grant program objectives, benefits, and the role of local lenders. This transformed a process that originally seemed complicated into one that was accessible and attractive.
Our marketing message stressed the importance of community involvement and the ability of lenders to meet mandated lending requirements. In this way, WGA successfully capitalized on the existing desire of community lenders to participate in a revitalization initiative.
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Economic Development Project Case Study
2: Local Minority Business Development
William Gauger & Associates is involved in an ongoing project that offers opportunities for local business development to African-American entrepreneurs and small business owners. The project helps them maintain significant ownership in and control of their community while capitalizing on gentrification trends.
WGA created and maintains a small business workshops web site that promotes small business workshops utilizing a web-based marketing strategy to increase prospective attendance. The site provides resources to registrants and offers a supportive online networking community. It has an efficient method for workshop registration.
The small business workshops web site provides a community forum for business networking and exchange of ideas. It lists links to important programs and services such as affordable housing development programs, SBA programs, and nonprofit organizations offering assistance to small minority businesses. Users easily download documents and tools including sample legal documents, business plans and business planning financial models, and program and grant applications.
The site also provides traditional print promotional materials for small business workshops that cross-promote web-based resources available to participants. It serves a public relations function by handling press releases to media outlets.
Site users benefit by having access to information and resources prior to workshops, which lets them familiarize themselves with course content in advance. They can also participate in business networking prior to workshop participation and on an ongoing basis in a web arena that nurtures business development and creates a wider audience over time. Users have easy access to business tools including documents, business plans, and financial models. There are helpful links to categorized resources that promote a disciplined approach to business planning and implementation.
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Recent Economic Development Project Examples
Tallahassee, FL
Prepared a redevelopment plan focusing on the acquisition of derelict and tax reverted parcels located in the city’s designated “community redevelopment area.”
Deliverables included:
• Analyses of five, ten and twenty year tax-increment financing projections
• Analysis of acquisitions
• Development proformas
• Detailed market assessments
Crown Hill, IN
Provided comprehensive economic development planning services as well as a redevelopment master plan promoting the revitalization of a disinvested urban neighborhood.
Deliverables included:
• Business sector supply/demand gap analyses
• Identification of small business economic development opportunities
• A land use plan focusing on derelict, blighted, and Brownfield parcels
• Assistance with partnership development and public outreach
Eagle River, MI
Provided master planning services.
Deliverables included:
• Final master plan and updated community profile and projections
• Land use mapping
•Updating the pre-existing land use plan, resident demographic profiles and projections, and assessment of the area’s housing stock.
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Economic Development 
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