Nov. 22—The Palestine Economic Development Corporation is offering new assistance to businesses in the community starting in 2025 with the launch of their Business Retention and Expansion meetings. Through this new initiative, the PEDC plans to meet with two companies per month.
"We don't want businesses to treat these meetings like formal interviews," said PEDC Director Christophe Trahan. "They are guided discussions with open-ended questions. The businesses we meet with can guide the conversation if there is something specific they want to talk about."
According to Trahan, benefits to the BR&E meetings include: — Opportunity to share your pain points with community leaders
Voice your concerns with someone who understands and wants to hear more. Trahan said PEDC will use these meetings to identify trends that need to be addressed. — Discuss opportunities to develop synergy
Use BR&E discussions to identify networking opportunities that can help you. — Highlight the good things happening in your organization
These meetings can be celebratory if you have plans for growth or recently expanded into a new market. PEDC can share resources with your business that can help it grow even more. — Be the change you want to see in your community
Feel like you have ideas on how to improve life in Palestine, whether you are concerned about housing, hiring or even quality of life issues, like childcare, share your ideas and help bring them to fruition.
Trahan noted that PEDC serves the residents and business owners of Palestine. It collects data throughout the year but also relies on direct feedback through local conversations. The discussions you have during the BR&E meetings could shape PEDC policies in the coming years.
"Our job is to be responsive to the needs of the community," Trahan said. "When companies tell us about hiring problems, we focus on workforce development. When small businesses need support for updates and repairs, we invest in improvement grants. The retention of local businesses is at the top of our priority list and communication is key in that effort."
Trahan said the BR&E meetings are designed to be informal discussions so local business owners can choose their most pressing topics.
Before the BR&E meeting, Trahan said the PEDC asks that businesses reflect on their company and the community at large and make notes of topics they would like to discuss.
"Decide what you want to show us or talk about before we arrive," Trahan said. "Some companies give us a tour of their facilities while others want to cover a series of topics related to their industry. You are in the driver's seat for what we discuss."