EAST RANGE JOINT POWERS BOARD, BUSINESS RETENTION & EXPANSION | 2019 – 2020
Challenge: The East Range Joint Powers Board (ERJPB) had not conducted a direct business retention and expansion (BRE) program in recent memory, and Northspan, as newly contracted ERJPB staff, had not directly worked with its businesses.
Role: Conducted 30 business visits over the course of several months, asking general questions related to community services, perceptions of the communities and Joint Powers Board, and a specific set of questions related to demand for broadband on the East Range. Generated additional business participation in a survey form of the broadband questionnaire.
Results: Released a comprehensive report on the state of East Range businesses in February 2020. Feedback and connections proved vital to supporting East Range businesses through the subsequent pandemic, and responses to the broadband questionnaire have positioned the communities to pursue funding sources to assist unserved areas.
Reference: Jim Weikum, Mayor of Biwabik and ERJPB Member, jimweikum@gmail.com