7/2/2009–Steps to improve economic development efforts in Surry County The Mount Airy News DOBSON — Surry County and economic development leaders came away with a better sense of what needs to be done in order to recruit new industries to the area Tuesday during a Building Readiness Program sponsored by Duke Energy. Officials with InSite Consulting Group, a national site consulting firm, explained how the recruitment process works and how Surry County can improve the way it markets itself to potential industries. “Site selection is like a funnel. It’s like a tornado for crying out loud. There are four phases to this insanity,” said Tonya Crist of InSite. She explained that Phase I includes regional identification. She said that Web sites are now intensely important to industry recruitment. “Surry County has a fantastic Web site. My hat’s off to you in that regard,” Crist said. She said Phase I also includes a “product” which is made up of sites, buildings, industrial areas and parks. Labor force also greatly influences what types of industries will look at an area, she said. “We need product and people. You have to ask yourself if you have both,” Crist said. Read more.

Surry County Economic Development Partnership Inc.   118 Hamby Road-Suite 146   Dobson, NC   27017   336.401.9900