Vision
The Westmoreland County region is an outstanding place to live and do business and enjoys economic prosperity and a sustainable high quality of life.

Mission
The Economic Growth Connection of Westmoreland provides the private sector leadership to develop business opportunities and financing that creates and retains quality jobs in Westmoreland County and the region. As a leader, and in partnering with others, Economic Growth Connection provides support to Westmoreland County companies to help them grow and prosper. Introduction
The basic mission of EGC is to retain and create jobs with emphasis on increasing wealth in the region with new and quality jobs. Quality jobs are those measured by level of pay and sustainability of job. Impact and outcomes need to be measured, not just the level of activity. The purpose of the EGC plan is to devise a strategy that delivers what EGC can provide and includes an approach that EGC will facilitate to maximize the success of our clients. First we need to identify our clients' short term and long term needs through outreach and interaction as well as from information we receive from others. The outcome of this plan will be to help identify a road map for EGC and its partners both in the public and private sector to consider.

The EGC Strategic Plan through its initiatives and tactics should explain the how and the what and the tools in the delivery system. Specifically, the EGC delivery system will attempt:
  • To build relationships with clients by identifying needs through interaction with clients and by cooperative work with our partners working with our clients.
  • To provide access to a variety of financing programs primarily for manufacturing and industrial projects because they generally provide greater economic impact.
  • To determine business workforce needs and facilitate and implement solutions for those needs.
  • To support infrastructure and development improvements that provide growth opportunities.
  • To provide facilitation of activities or functions that provide needed resources or services for business.
  • To improve organization capabilities that enhances short and long-term functions.
  • Assess future priority needs in opportunities for clients currently not being met.
Measurements of performance should be based impacts and outcomes that will increase usefulness of activities:
  • Jobs created and retained.
  • Companies attracted/expanded.
  • Average wage of jobs created.
  • Environment or infrastructure created for job growth and retention opportunities.
    - physical infrastructure
    - workforce training and development
    - improvements to business support systems and resources
Business Outreach
EGC will partner with the Westmoreland Team Pa outreach effort and other partners by doing visits, interviews and follow-ups as referred by the outreach coordinator and our partners. EGC will also attempt to provide administrative support to upgrade the program efforts.

Tactics
Expand the Westmoreland County Team PA Visitor Outreach efforts to:
  • Provide administrative support to increase the number of visits made
  • Record Team PA visit information for client visits made by all EGC staff.
Loan Packaging
EGC is the primary applicant for a variety of local, state and federal funds that are utilized not only by businesses, but by EGC as well for its development and support activities. EGC maintains a close working relationship with the banking and financing community to provide a total financing package for businesses. EGC shall continue to increase its capability for extending financial assistance to Westmoreland County businesses.

Tactics
  1. Formalize an agreement by April 2003 with ABCD Corporation to market and write applications for the SBA 504 Program. Staff training to be planned for March 2003.
  2. Formalize an agreement with the Southwestern PA Corporation to market and write applications for the Small Business First loan program.
  3. Market financial services through an updated website, newsletter publications, news releases and interaction with clients.
  4. Continue improving working relationships with private & public financing agencies. Provide at least one training (marketing) session for banks, accountants and attorneys.
  5. EGC shall strive to increase financing applications submitted by 10%.
Workforce Development & Training Facilitation
Continue to assist businesses in meeting their workforce training needs by working with and supporting local and regional workforce service providers.

Tactics
  1. Seek funding to provide outreach to business clients to assess training needs and match those needs with county workforce providers and available funding sources.
  2. Partner with PTC/CC (Pittsburgh Technology Council/Catalyst Connection),WCIDC and the Westmoreland/Fayette WIB to re-do the Manufacturing Pathways Initiative to include the following:
    • The Westmoreland MPI Program will be run by EGC in 2003 with TC/CC as a junior partner. MPI activities will include:
    • Hold celebration events for manufacturers, student/parents, school personnel.
    • Recruit school districts.
    • Hold student recruitment meetings.
    • Obtain manufacturer commitments.
    • Job fair/student interviews.
    • Match students and employers.
    • Monitor classroom training and workplace internships.
Support Development & Infrastructure Improvements
EGC recognizes the continuing need to support and facilitate development and infrastructure improvements.

Tactics
  1. Monitor and support the completion of the 4th phase of the Laurel Valley Transportation Improvement Project by June 2003. Support the beginning of the next phase to keep the project moving.
  2. Be an advocate for business and industry to improve other transportation access in the region through interaction with public officials and key county private and public leaders.
  3. Advocate for key county projects, particularly those on the Transportation Improvement Project list and partner financially with WCIDC on retaining consultant.
  4. Partner with the Westmoreland County IDC in the development, marketing and sales of greenfield and brownfield developments
  5. Complete environmental assessment of Timken Latrobe Steel & Valley Vulcan sites by June 30, 2003.
  6. Partner and/or assist Timken Latrobe Steel and Twin Ridge for redevelopment and reuse of their sites.
Partnership and Other Activities
EGC partners with other organizations in Westmoreland County as well as the region to complete projects ranging in scope from infrastructure and site development to improving community assets to workforce initiatives. EGC will link private businesses with public and other private resources.

Tactics
  1. Support and assist the planning, development, funding and marketing of WCIDC greenfield and brownfield sites.
  2. Partner with WCIDC to lease out all available space in the Mt. Pleasant Glass Centre.
  3. Identify and improve working relationships with partners who provide services four our clients.
  4. In partnership with WCIDC recognize special opportunity projects to purchase and/or seek financing for construction and buildout.
  5. Support and assist county marketing efforts.
  6. Hold regular meetings with local, state and federal officials.
  7. Hold outreach meetings with WCIDC throughout Westmoreland County.
  8. Provide administrative support to the West Penn Power Sustainable Energy Fund and Large Manufacturing Group of Westmoreland.
Develop E-commerce Initiatives
Support and develop E-Commerce initiatives and other information technology for business & EGC.

Tactics
  1. Provide support to:
    • Update EGC website and seek appropriate links.
    • Seek funding to analyze and provide financial support for e-commerce improvements in local businesses.
Organizational Development
Improve and strengthen the organizational ability of EGC.

Tactics
  1. Monitor budget plans and seek new funding sources.
  2. Provide opportunities for staff training and attendance at seminars or conferences.
  3. Continue to explore co-location possibilities with WCIDC.
  4. Work with WCIDC executive director to continue to utilize and coordinate both EGC and WCIDC staffs to improve efficiencies and services to clients.
  5. Review board and executive committee functions and membership to strengthen board support and oversight.
New Initiatives
Staff will continue to examine new initiatives dealing with defense/government procurement assistance and the reestablishment of a county loan fund. Appropriate funding will be sought by each of these strategic initiatives in order to meet the Mission Statement and Vision Statement of Economic Growth Connection.