Hanover’s Perspective
Hanover Maximizes Business Outreach Initiatives
“Up to 80 percent of job growth is generated from existing businesses, not from the limited number of business relocations,” reports Dr. David Birch in his book, The Job Generation Process.
With such an incredible ratio of jobs coming from the expanding companies within our community, it stands to reason that Hanover County promotes a strong existing business outreach program. The focus of this program is to encourage businesses to Innovate, Prosper and Grow right here in Hanover. Hanover implements several outreach tactics such as the BusinessFirst Hanover Program, Business Walks and traditional one-on-one business outreach visits.
BusinessFirst Hanover operates in coordination with BusinessFirst Greater Richmond, a collaborative effort between the Greater Richmond Partnership and its four local government partners. The overall program focuses resources, services and support on companies that call Greater Richmond home.
BusinessFirst Hanover is a group of volunteers selected to interview local businesses to find out how companies are performing, how government policy is affecting the business climate and what can be done to help companies thrive. Volunteers generally visit one to two companies per month working to build relationships that communicate free business programs, training opportunities and workforce assistance. The goal is to learn more about current business conditions, where owners see their businesses heading and to brainstorm ways to improve Hanover County’s business climate.
In concert with monthly interviews, volunteers also participate in a quarterly Business Walk with Hanover County Economic Development. The Business Walk program canvasses a concentrated geographic area to maximize program exposure and generate awareness of business resources.
“We work with the volunteers to walk commercially dense neighborhoods where we can briefly visit businesses and quickly connect them to relevant resources,” said Christen Ingram, Hanover’s existing business manager.”
Ingram develops and manages these initiatives while also performing individual business outreach. As HCED’s newest staff member, she is working to refocus and maximize the department’s community impact and increase awareness of HCED’s business concierge-style services. Contact Ingram to become a BusinessFirst volunteer or to arrange a visit with your business.