Resource Development Group, Inc. is proud to announce that the J.O.B.S. Campaign to raise $1.4 million over five years to support the mission of the Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership has exceeded its target! 

 The Shiawassee Economic Development Partnership, located in Owosso, Michigan, is a public-private partnership founded in 2003 to foster the economic growth and stability of Shiawassee County.  The SEDP is the economic development division of the Shiawassee Regional Chamber of Commerce and is the primary business development and marketing entity in Shiawassee County. 

"Times are really tough right now in Michigan and it's a real testament to your company [RDG] to exceed what was a strong goal for us," said Bruce Cook, a business and community leader, SEDP Committee member, and the founder of the Cook Family Foundation, which offered a challenge grant to encourage new investment in the organization.   As a result of this effort, nearly $50,000 annually of new money was raised through new or increased investment. 

In addition, the campaign sealed commitments from over 100 investors to support the organization's fiscal needs for the next five-year funding cycle, successfully raising $1,412,395. 

The success of this five-year funding campaign is a testament to the commitment of both the public and private sectors to improving the economic health of the county.  This crucial community-wide support will enable the SEDP to continue and augment its efforts to attract new businesses, support existing industries, and market the county locally, nationally, and internationally.

At RDG we are proud of the accomplishments of all of our client markets, but it is particularly special when our home town and home state achieve success in the economic development arena.  This past month has been especially exciting for Ohio and Columbus.   

First, Site Selection magazine named Ohio the winner of the coveted Governor's Cup for having more corporate expansions than any other state in 2007. You can view information on this story by click ing here.   The US Bureau of Labor Statistics revised the job growth statistics for Central Ohio which resulted in our region exceeding the national average for the first time since 2002.  

All of this following Forbes magazine ranking Columbus number one in top up-and-coming Tech cities, citing Battelle Memorial Institute as a key research asset. Culminating this "triple crown" for Columbus  was Net Jets announcement they would keep their headquarters in Columbus, resulting in the retention of 2,000 current jobs and the additional of 800 more.  For the full story on the exciting times in Central Ohio click here.