Cities with no department that focuses on economic development are cities that are doomed to die. Without new businesses and new investment for old businesses, the economic underpinnings of the city will wither away and the population will have no reason to stay. Luckily, as you can see, Des Moines is still fighting, so if you're putting up your Rhinebeck homes for sale in New York and are looking for a place to move to, Des Moines might be a good choice. Read on to find out what the Office of Economic Development can do for you.
The point of having an Office of Economic Development, whether it's located in Des Moines or Toronto, is to promote the city as a good place to do business. To that effect, the Office of Economic Development is responsible for advertising the city in other markets. They want owners of franchises in Canada to hear about Des Moines and think of expanding into the area. This means money coming in and new jobs for citizens of Des Moines, which in turn creates a healthier Des Moines.
So if you're a business owner and you're thinking about either moving to Des Moines or expanding to Des Moines, the first thing that the Office of Economic Development can do for you is provide you with statistics on the local workforce. For instance, if you do internet marketing in Toronto, you'll need to know what percentage of Des Moines workers have the kind of education you will need in an employee. You'll also need to know how much it costs to live and do business in Des Moines, to see if you can afford the employee's expected wages.
Employees of the Office of Economic Development will also meet with you and help you get your business set up. This means finding a reputable dealer in mortgages, commercial real estate that will meet your needs, contractors who can do the work that you need done, and so on. They'll assist you in managing your project and give you advice that only someone who lives in Des Moines would know. And you don't even have to pay for it, because they know they need your business.
If you need some financial assistance setting up your business (be it a new one or a franchise of Bracebridge Catering), the Office of Economic Development might have a program that you qualify for. If you're contributing to urban renewal, developing housing, or creating jobs for locals, you may qualify for tax breaks, loans, or grants to help you get going. Some programs currently on the go include the MicroLoan program for businesses creating jobs for low income residents, and the Neighborhood Commercial Revitalization program, which provides low interest loans to anyone who will spruce up old commercial buildings.
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