COMMERCE COMMITTEE

Objective: To promote all business members, recruit new businesses, and continue to develop our tourism and agriculture industries through cultivation, networking, sharing of expertise, consulting programs, and advocacy on business issues affecting Richmond and Madison County.

Methods

1. Provide oversight and leadership to the Madison County Economic Development Commission and facilitate the finalization of the new county- wide economic development plan. Work in cooperation with the City of Richmond, Madison County Fiscal Court and the commission to begin to implement strategies of the plan such as retail recruitment, tourism development, existing business and safety & security business development.  Support Economic Development Board of Trustees Capital Campaign.

2. Support EKU's Small Business Development Center and Center for Entrepreneurship (CEDET) through referrals.

3 Partner with EKU's Safety and Security Incubator to develop new businesses within this cluster.

4 Continue support of Shop Richmond Campaign.  Collaborate with City of Richmond on Research and Development by making Richmond the destination for shopping throughout the year. Explore development of marketing for Richmond healthcare industry.

5 Continue Support of Battle of Richmond Association until BORA's new office is established. Goal:　 To work together in partnership to preserve and interpret the land and other resources associated with the Battle of Richmond.

6 Agri-Business Development.

A. Continue support of Madison County Extension Office programs including Farm Field Day, the Farm City Banquet, beautification programs,

B. Monitor agriculture issues in Kentucky in the state and U.S. legislatures and take lobbying actions if necessary.

C. Support the development of entrepreneurial/alternative agricultural products in Richmond and Madison County.

7 Continue oversight and improvement of the Chamber Business of The Month Program disseminated in the Richmond Register, via Internet/Web Site, and other media. Collaborate with City of Richmond to welcome new businesses to Richmond.

8 Monitor business and commerce issues on local, regional and state levels, and recommend to Government Relations Committee and Board any possible action, position statement, or resolutions.

9 Provide support to downtown Richmond development and revitalization and continue to collaborate with EKU to be a stakeholder in the redevelopment of downtown in cooperation and taking the lead from the City of Richmond.