PCDC Board Explores Business Park

Current Situation:

Polk City has been experiencing significant residential growth; however, the city has not been able to experience significant business growth.  Interviews of Polk City residents and business owners tell us that there are many reasons for the lack of growth, but most agree that the city is missing some key elements needed to be successful in recruiting business to Polk City.  The most significant being a business park.  Polk City Development Corporation (PCDC) is constantly receiving alerts for prospective businesses looking for a location but is unable to respond because we do not have a business park to offer.  Polk City is very capable of addressing these issues and succeeding in their efforts to maintain existing businesses and recruit new business due to the following reasons:

• The mayor and city council are providing the leadership necessary to succeed.
• PCDC has been revitalized and is capable of providing the direction to create and implement a plan.
• The city is also in a prime development area that is experiencing significant population growth.

The City of Polk City is definitely at a crossroads in its development.  It is very important to proceed carefully in planning for business growth.

Board Action:

To achieve success in development of a business park, and ultimately the recruitment of new business to Polk City, the PCDC Board has taken the following steps:

• The PCDC Board appointed a committee to oversee the Business Park Plan.  This committee  consists of PCDC board members, City representation, Chamber leadership and citizens.  The PCDC director is responsible for facilitating this committee.  The committee’s tasks would be to: 

** Conduct a feasibility study

** Create a list of community assets

** Create a list of possible sites

** Identify possible partners 

** Identify target business                

** Explore financing  

** Create a marketing plan 

** Create a business recruitment plan

The Business Park Committee will report back to the PCDC Board on a monthly basis and has a targeted timeline of accomplishing their tasks within six months.