2023 Economic and Tourism Development Year-End Report
BUSINESS START-UP, RETENTION AND EXPANSION
One of the main actions identified in the new Hastings County Strategic Plan is to increase available jobs through business expansion and retention. In 2023 we continued supporting a wide variety of existing and start-up businesses to overcome barriers through coaching and connecting them with valuable resources. Our “boots on the ground” presence is led by the Small Business Coordinator position. Working with local business owners, our Small Business Coordinator provides assistance in overcoming challenges and makes introductions to other organizations and individuals to find creative solutions to problems.
2023 OUTCOMES
inquiries/requests for in-depth business assistance (1,905 since 2017) 393
projects assisted (533 since 2017) 78
6 expanded, 2 were purchased 17
businesses opened (113 since 2017);
existing businesses assisted (177 since 2017) 39
jobs created (166 since 2017) 29
RETAIL/ WHOLESALE
SERVICES
HOSPITALITY
ART
AGRICULTURE
$1.5 million total investment by business owners in 2023 (startup/expansion costs) ($12.1 million since 2017). 1
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