Community Success:

A $5 Million Impact From a Plate of Nachos?

Mike Running, Executive Director

Dumas, Texas Economic Development Corporation

Nachos

• So many ingredients coming together to create a tasty feast

• Enjoying a plate with someone is fun

• Every recipe tastes great

• They can be simple or complex, but they all have the same initial ingredient

• What the Heck do they have to do with economic development?!?!

It’s Pronounced Doo-Miss!

Dumas, Texas

Last Project = Beef Processor in 1980’s

DEDC est. 1999

Some Successes

Became Stagnant

Disappointment

2008 = Me; Tasked with Doing it Differently

I live up there under the star.

Time To Do Inventory

• Industries

• Strengths

• Problems or Potential Problems

• Deficiencies

• People

• Continual Process

Building the Framework For Success

• What do we do and make?

• What do we have?

• What trends/events may affect us?

• What problems do we have?

• Who do we target?

• What’s missing?

• Who can help?

• What works & what doesn’t work?

What Do We Do & Make?

Energy

Agriculture

Keep Looking Around!

What Do We Have?

Amenities

Assets

What Qualifies as Quality of Life?

• Will it increase the economic base?

• Is it necessary?

• Is their a REAL return on investment?

• Does it attract new businesses?

What Trends Will Affect Us?

• Economy

• Contract Jobs

• Industry Changes

• California

• Emerging Technologies

Dumas Wind Opportunities

• Wind Farms

• Electrical Transmission

• Center of High Activity

What Is Occurring Globally?

• Advances in food health

• California economy

• Who is developing new products?

• So much to know!

What Problems?

• Negative Speak

• Majoring in the Minors

• Fragile Feelings

• Fear

• Indecision

• Apathy

• Competition

Do Your Local Officials See IT?

Who To Target?

• What Fits?

• What Works?

• What is Within Reach?

• What Do We Need?

• What Do We Want?

Our Industry Targets

Aviation Distribution Energy Retail AgricultureGreen

Technology

What’s Missing?

• The Right People?

• Public Perception?

• Outreach?

• Marketing?

• Organization?

• Investment?

• Knowledge?

Investment in Local Assets

South 287 Utility Infrastructure

Dumas Business Park

Dumas Enterprise Center

AC- MCC Wind & Renewable Energy

Training

Airport Business Park

BNSF/TXNW Rail Access Agreement

Who Can Help?

• Industry Specific Locals

• Organizations

• Industry Leaders

• Local Leaders

• Colleagues

• Prospects

• Organizations

Our Partners

What Works For You?

• Trade Shows?

• Conferences?

• Web Based?

• Social Networking?

• Advertisements?

• Cold Calls?

• Waiting for Phone to Ring?

Booth Display: $5600

Travel: $1800

Marketing Ploys: $900

$1.3 million investment & 65 new jobs? Priceless

My Basic Tenets for Success• Although YOU know you’re

in it up to your chin, keep your mouth shut and walk tall!

• Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.

• The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing.

• If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door.

• Agree to respect each other’s views, no matter how wrong yours might be.

• Always keep the folks who hate you away from the folks who are undecided.

What Works For Us?

• It’s Not Business, It’s Just Personal

• Keep it Positive

• Play the Field

• Don’t Neglect Your Family

• Keep Doing More

• Promotion

• Know the Impact

It’s Not Business…

• Can Never Have Enough Friends

• Treat Everyone as Though They Have Another Deal to Bring You

• Make it Personal

• Never Eat Alone!

• Great Things Happen Around the Table

Keep It Positive

• Prepare for Success

• Eliminate Growth Killers

• Take Chances

• Plug Your Town

• Celebrate Everything

Play the Field• Ask 10 people for a date; one will agree

• It’s easier to ask someone you know out

• A mutual friend is a great place to start

• Having things in common makes it easier

• Look and act interested in them rather than yourself

• Sometimes the best catch is the quiet one

• They don’t know you are looking until you tell them

• They don’t think they are as good as you see them

• Some are good from far, but far from good

• You need to know what you want and target their hang outs

• Clean yourself up; they can sense lack of pride

• Don’t show too much on the first date

Don’t Neglect Your Family

• Show Your Businesses You Care; Someone Else Will Make Them Feel Desired!

• Organic Growth Works; BG&D

• Grow What You Know

• Look At Your Community With Visitor Eyes

• Help Local Businesses Succeed; Lead Generation

Dumas Business Growth & Development (BG&D)

• Applied more focus on our existing business

• Created networking events

• Business Facilitator

• Start-up assistance

• Small grant awards

Always Do More

• There are ways around a one drink limit!

• Stay a Step Ahead

• What Do Others Have?

• Find Out Where the Leads Hang Out

• It Doesn’t Have to Cost Money

Promotion

• Get your name out there

• Stay on top of your websites

• Promote yourself locally

• Get branded

Know The Impact

• Create an Impact Analysis

• Use it to prove it!

• The numbers don’t lie

• Has to be personalized

• Show it off to prevent apathy

Does Any Of It Really Work?

Nachos Anymore!

• Anemometry Specialists…Over a Steak

• Wells Industrial Paint Services…Over a Plate of Nachos

• Each of them delivered a new firm

900 Days In Dumas

900 Days in Dumas

Education

• AC-MCC Wind/Renewable Energy Program

• New Intermediate School

• New Football Field

Infrastructure

• US 87 Overpass

• US 287 Utilities

• Airport Improvements

Amenities

• New Dumas Aquatic Park

• New Festival Booths

• New Housing

Holiday Inn Express

Hampton Inn & Suites

La Quinta Cato Fashions

Dollar Tree CVS Pharmacy

Big R 287 Roadhouse

Retail

Recruitment

Anemometry Specialists

Wells Paint Service

Access CareSierra Engineering

Twisted Fabrications

Written Pole Motors

Start-Ups

Audio TrixxHigh Plains Management

580 RestaurantCarter Family Practice

Expansions

Continental Carbon

JBS

Sierra Process Systems

Faria Dairies

Valero

The Next 900 Days

Business Park Improvements

Green Tech Center

Business Success Center

Wind Training Tower

Business Aviation Park

Business Spec Hangar

Wind Energy Rail Yard

Current Active Projects• Project Logic- Solar Manufacturer• Project Milk- Dairy Distribution• Project Popcorn- Family Entertainment Center• Project Care- Occupational Medicine• Project Seniors- Assisted Living• Project Steam- Industrial Expansion• Project Tool- Tool & Dye• Project Crane- Wind Energy Service• Project Safety- Wind Energy Service• Project Carrier- Beef Distribution• Project Turbine- Small Wind Manufacturer• Project Gear- Wind Energy Service• Project Dinner- Retail Restaurant• Project Shopper- Retail Discount Store• Project Big Stuff- Wind Energy Parts Manufacturer• Project Omega- Food Industry

So What?

• Get prepared…

• seek ‘em out…

• work ‘em all…

• get to know them, AND…

• Hang out w/ them over a plate of nachos!

This is my plug.

(Call me!)