Shovel Ready Sites: A Key Component for Expanding the Local Economy

A Key Component for Expanding the Local Economy
Every growing and expanding community needs one really important element to foster expanded job opportunities: Shovel Ready Sites.

A shovel ready site is a piece of land that has been designated in advance with the proper zoning and has the entire infrastructure needed such as roads, water, sewer, electrical and gas utilities located on the site. All a prospective industry needs to do is purchase the land and build the building.

Recently, at the Valparaiso Economic Development Corporation Annual Meeting, over 100 civic leaders and business professionals attended to hear Kevin Tobin of Tobin Development, Pete Peuquet of Chester, Inc., and Stu Summers of the Redevelopment Commission speak about the need for shovel ready sites. These three experts explained that when a firm is looking to expand or relocate to an area they are usually working on a very tight and stringent time frame. If the proposed plant cannot receive the necessary infrastructure, then the company cannot deliver on its contracts to its customers.

To eliminate any possible glitches to a proposed new factory or business location, most firms only desire to look at sites which have all they need already at the proposed site in advance of purchasing the land.

Valparaiso has a shortage of shovel ready sites. The Valpo Chamber and the City of Valparaiso are working hard to identify sites which can become shovel ready. The Valparaiso Redevelopment Commission has been working diligently to get utilities and proper zoning in the south east area of the community along the US 30 and IN 49 highways.
Maintaining the momentum for attracting and retaining high paying jobs and quality companies takes good planning, extension of utilities, and assembling land parcels to make an attractive and inviting package for companies desiring to invest in a community.

Keeping a community competitive for high-paying jobs is not an easy or inexpensive process. Having shovel ready sites is paramount in attracting good industry and high-paying jobs.

Rex G. Richards
President
richards@valparaisochamber.org

Looking for more visibility?

Looking for more visibility?

Okay, that’s a weak pun, but hey, it’s spring break week, and I’m sitting in 35 degree weather in Valpo. I think I deserve a little slack.

How many times a day do you visit a website? To check out the weather? To plan a trip? Or, to look up more information about a business you know or need to know? In my business, I often review a business’ website to learn more about them -- many times, before I even meet them. I think websites are very valuable, and they’re available 24/7.

So, if you haven’t already, I invite you to check out http://www.valparaisochamber.org/.
According to Google Analytics, the chamber has had nearly 6,000 visits to our site in the past month. What I find more significant is visitors are spending an average of 2.5 minutes with each visit. That is a considerable amount of time navigating our site.

Once they’ve landed on our site, what do they see? If you want to showcase your business in a unique way on our website, why not consider an enhanced business listing? While ALL our chamber members have the basic contact information included in our online member directory, some have an enhanced listing for just $50 annually. The listing includes a 100-word business description, map to your business and your company logo. These stand-out listings can be viewed on the home page of our website right now.

While you are “in the neighborhood,” you will also notice three display ad spots available on the home page – one at the top of the page (premium), and two at the bottom (banner). These slots are “move- in ready,” if you have the interest. You can choose the length of the time, the page to appear on, and/or the position of the ad. Fees begin at just $125 per month, which, if you think about it, is only .02 per visit.

For more info on any of these great website opportunities give me a call, or drop me an email.
I’m here. At my desk. No spring break for me. (sigh)

Danielle Oeding
Vice President, Sales & Marketing
Oeding@valparaisochamber.org