Rural Economy Business Development Strategies

Potential Partners:

• Funding sources- crowd funding, financial institutions, venture/angel funding, grants

• Private sector leaders and mentors

Pre-feasibility analysis of successful models from other areas Completed request for quote to engage consultant to complete needs assessments and other aspects of the feasibility study Move forward with feasibility study Craft model that combines public and private resources Build business case Implementation

IN PLANNING

Objective: Provide state-of-the-art, shared facilities, virtual solutions and services to accelerate businesses through early and growth stages to augment their chances for success. To collaborate with and provide linkages to similar or complementary local, regional and national centers. To anchor and attract rural businesses to Loudoun.

Assess the Need for an Agriculture and Rural Business Accelerator

FreeImages.com/Felipe Daniel Reis

Rural Economy Business Development Strategies

Formation of the Loudoun County Equine Alliance Conduct Equine Events Survey data collection Synthesize Equine Events Survey data Create legal structure Fall/Winter educational series Conduct Equine Owners Survey Synthesize Equine Owners Survey data Use data from Event and Owner Survey to develop a strategic enhancement plan for the equine industry Implement plan

IN PROGRESS

Objective: To create and execute a long-term working plan for the retention, attraction and expansion of the equine industry. To publicize, promote and maintain the equine industry’s prominence and economic contribution. Link the equine industry with other sectors of agriculture, parks, trails, other rural industries and planning and zoning policies.

Develop an Integrated Approach to Equestrian Industry Enhancement

The equine industry in

Loudoun Countyis estimated to

contribute a total economic impact

within the county of $191.4 million.

Rural Economy Business Development Strategies

Time

Use ProducePart

CodeNumber

AreasAgriculture

FacilitiesCounty

LoudounLand

Activities

AverageAcreage

Program

Employees

OwnedActively

ParticipateFull

Tax

Paid

Sold

EquestrianValue Added

Household

Income

Combined

Value

RespondentKept

Land Use

Zip Involvement

Age

Group

Primary

Livestock

Property

Lessons learned from the Equine Owner

Survey will help in the development of a rural business owner survey

Conduct Equine Owners Survey Synthesize Equine Owners Survey data Create survey mechanism for remaining sectors of rural businesses Distribute survey to rural business owners Compile survey data Evaluate data and recommend supportive public policy and economic development efforts and programs Recommend frequency of survey process

Objective: Create a regular process by which rural businesses will be surveyed to gather information germane to supporting a positive business and policy climate in the Rural Policy Area. Capture data from a wide range of industry sectors as a means to improve the understanding of the rural economy from a financial and policy standpoint. Design a survey that will allow the County to easily target rural businesses with a simple form designed for mail or electronic distribution.

IN PROGRESS

Conduct a Regular Rural Business Owners Survey

Rural Economy Business Development Strategies IN PROGRESS

Piedmont Epicurean and Agricultural Center - nonprofit facilitator of workforce training in horticultural sectors Mentor certification program Workforce training program beta test

-Participants are blend of Latino workforce and local youth -Evening event -Workers, journeymen, master mentors - Collaborative effort with Economic Development, Virginia

Cooperative Extension and PEAC Expand workforce development beyond vineyard work Incorporate “front-of-house” education Consider production education

8 workers are enrolled in the

2016 workforce training program

beta test

Objective: To harness rural business technical and management expertise for re-use and continuous improvement. To aggregate and disseminate rural business expertise to a targeted set of stakeholders. To create a self-sustaining rural business support network in the county.

Agricultural Workforce Education and Development Strategy

Rural Economy Business Development Strategies

Redesign loudounfarms.org Complete biz.loudoun.gov rural website content needs and navigation requirements Map layout of the website Establish an initial stakeholder group from diverse rural business owners to conceive and establish requirements of the website Contract with an outside vendor to compile and create rural business development content Go live with updates Continue to update and maintain websites

Loudounfarms.org has an increased visit rate of 18.3% between

rebranding in FY 15 and FY 16

IMPLEMENTED

Objective: To provide links to relevant business development, technical, management and government sources. To connect young and beginning entrepreneurs with networking and training opportunities. To house a library of reference documents, calendars of events, online training and links to rural business information. To host publishing sites, blogs, collaboration and other social media tools.

Redesign loudounfarms.org and Enhance Rural Message on biz.loudoun.gov

Rural Economy Business Development Strategies

Loudoun County Trails Association is a non-profit group

that advocates for the development of

new and existing multi-use trails within

Loudoun County

Outreach to stakeholder groups, including Parks, Recreation and Community Services, equine groups and mountain bike organizations to encourage the formation of a multi-user trails organization Create a legal structure, organization and by-laws for governance Create a map of new and existing trails in Loudoun County Identify right-of-ways for existing trails Identify a pilot project, the stakeholders and tools needed to create the trail or segment Continue to work with new and existing multi-user trails

Objective: To develop an organization that is the catalyst for various recreational trail user groups working together for the development and management of the recreation trail system. Develop actionable tools for the various stakeholders to use to support the recreation trail system operations. To move governments to support this initiative with tangible, long-term actions.

Encourage the Formation of a County Multi-User Trails Association

IN PROGRESS

Rural Economy Business Development Strategies

72,000 Loudoun County farmer trading cards

were distributed to 55 elementary schools

Exhibitor at Main Street Agriculture Department of Economic Development staff to do on-site promotion at least one time at each of the Loudoun County farmers markets by October 2014 Economic impact assessment of the 2015 Purcellville Wine and Food Festival Create a volunteer network to support agricultural and rural economy-related events Create a part-time rural event marketing specialist Explore concept feasibility of DED-led “Rural to Runway” event with design and arts community

Objective: To create, promote and manage a larger number of coordinated public relations and marketing events that introduce culinary and arts elements by the private sector. Support new and expanded events that focus on promoting the types of businesses recommended by the REBDS through promotional support, volunteer management and sourcing of local products by the REDC and DED. Creation of a unique event, by the county, to support the continued operations of rural business development programs focusing on agriculture and art and design.

IN PROGRESS

Enhance Marketing to Improve Linkages Between Rural and Urban Economies

SAVE THE DATE!

Rural Economy Business Development Strategies

More than 75 farmers have signed up to

participate in the Made in Loudoun Grown in

Loudoun program

Establish logo as “Loudoun Farms Brand” Establish an initial governing body from diverse rural businesses to conceive and establish the branding program. Establish governing structure, mission, goals and objectives and rules of engagement Develop the program message to use with all collateral material Refine the program and collateral and create a consistent, year-round marketing message Continue to enroll and promote the program

IMPLEMENTED

Objective: Link and unify rural businesses across industry sectors. Tie the myriad of complementary businesses and programs under a “brand identity.” Leverage the existing neighborhood of Loudoun farmers markets. Build on existing brand triggers such as the county’s wineries, farm markets, festivals, equestrian events and other rural venues.

Create a Branded Rural Business Awareness Program

Rural Economy Business Development Strategies

Loudoun County’s year-round market

will serve as a link to Western Loudoun and

metro commuters

Perform a retail market study of various Loudoun County demographic segments for their demand by type and cost tolerance for local products Refine business model and identify leadership Identify the legal structure, operations, governance and financial model of the Loudoun County rural producers market system Identify a location and infrastructure requirements for the year-round market Identify funding for the year-round market Assign committee to form entity Confirm negotiations

IN PLANNING

Objective: Encourage more, diverse, local producers of farmers market goods to increase production. Shape farmers markets to the shopping patterns and preferences of the county’s diverse cultural and economic demands and increase that demand for local producers. To leverage the existing Loudoun farmers markets. To keep management and revenue of the farmers markets in the hands of the local producers. Create a destination year-round farmers market in Loudoun County.

Develop a Consolidated, Year-Round Farmers Market in Loudoun County