SUMMARY & PRIORITIES

R E A C H R E A C H

SUMMARY

To be successful, we need leadership as well as involvement from a broad base of community leaders. The Longview Chamber of Commerce will provide the staffing and overall management of this plan, but the execution of these priority goals and the opportunity to succeed rests with leaders who serve as the ambassadors of Longview.

This plan is distinguished by its aggressiveness, transparency and commitment to evaluating its progress by established benchmarks. The plan will be achieved through strong leadership, dedication, and broad collaboration. We will know which goals we are achieving and which need more attention, but we need your leadership to make R.E.A.C.H. happen. Ask yourself, “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?” Create change for our future with the Longview Chamber of Commerce.

PRIORITY 1: REDEVELOPMENT

OVERALL GOAL: Launch a campaign that will aid in the transformation of underutilized areas of our community.

“As a Chamber, it is our goal to help our members with welldefined redevelopment efforts. This is a key to the collective growth in both our local and regional economies. Vibrant communities support the business community’s ability to retain and attract talent, and aid in commercial development. A number of things must continue for Longview and our region to remain competitive and thrive. Thoughtful public-private partnerships, and a community that truly supports their local businesses. All of this ultimately improves the quality of life for our business community and our residents.”

– Brian Daugbjerg, Longview Scrap & Metal Company

OBJECTIVES:

▸ The board will form a leadership team that will champion developing a plan which complements the work of the City and LEDCO to complete redevelopment initiatives.

▸ Transform underdeveloped/underserved areas of Longview into a thriving marketplace where individuals and families want to live, work and play.

Redevelopment

PRIORITY 2: EDUCATION

Education

OVERALL GOAL: Continue to focus on executing a cradle to career collective impact that supports helping individuals reach their potential and become skilled contributors to our highly educated workforce.

“The Chamber believes we must prepare for the demands of tomorrow’s skilled and competitive workforce environment. Businesses have an important role in leading and advocating for Career Readiness; a business-led approach for implementing cradle to career education systems. Our leadership is committed to being proactive to ensure our academic standards are raised so students are successful in making progress toward important transitions to either college or careers.”

– Gerald Rincher, Longview Regional Medical Center

OBJECTIVES:

▸ Lead the management of the Education Collective Impact.

▸ Develop a regional action plan in partnership with key stakeholders.

▸ Convene stakeholders to sign a covenant that communicates shared vision and key principles that focuses on solutions to increase attainment levels and employment.

▸ Develop partnership opportunities with ISDs and secondary education organizations that support the development of a skilled workforce for Longview.

▸ Leverage community resources, align strategies, and improve policies.

Advocacy / Legislative Affairs PRIORITY 3: ADVOCACY / LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS

OVERALL GOAL: Advocate for legislation that has a positive impact on business and industry, economic development, job creation and community quality of life at the local, state, and federal levels of government.

“Our work in advocacy is the foundation for our chamber’s existence. For over 100 years we’ve been committed to promoting and protecting the interests of our Longview area businesses through legislative initiatives at the local, state, and federal levels. Our local voice, 1100 members strong and representing over 45,000 hard-working East Texans, is combined on a regional level with other chambers across the state and nation, leading to successful and impactful representation. ”

– Bo Rogers, Rogers Law Firm

OBJECTIVES:

▸ Promote and protect the interests of our Longview area businesses.

▸ Advocate support for the City of Longview’s Comprehensive Plan.

▸ Influence public policy on specific local and state issues through the LBPAC.

▸ Influence public policy at all levels of government.

▸ Build and maintain strong relationships with all levels of elected officials to ensure greater opportunity for positive outcomes for the Longview Trade Area.

PRIORITY 4: COLLABORATION

Collaboration

OVERALL GOAL: Continue to build a network that fosters an environment where our agencies and employers work in concert to build a thriving community for future generations.

“Longview is a desirable, regional destination. It provides a great business environment to conduct business. By virtue of being one of the largest cities in the East Texas region, our economy thrives. But being one of the largest isn’t good enough: Longview must be the best by offering a dynamic urban setting and quality of life that is viewed as the finest East Texas has to offer. This will only occur when key stakeholders across the area work in concert with one another to make the right things happen.”

– Chuck King, Chick-fil-A

“The Longview Chamber of Commerce has made organizational sustainability a top priority in its Strategic Plan. We are working in the present, using evaluation and innovation, to be certain that the Chamber’s future is strong, allowing us to be the solution leader for Longview area businesses for years to come.”

– Sam Neale, Napps Technology Corporation

OBJECTIVES:

▸ Create a stronger, more sustainable and prosperous local economy.

▸ Remain the lead in convening key stakeholders to drive Longview’s future.

▸ Continue to practice economic inclusion by encouraging participation from Longview’s diverse business community.

▸ Remain a key partner for entrepreneurial activity by utilizing the Business Solutions Conference to celebrate entrepreneurism.

▸ Continue to provide exceptional Leadership Training.

PRIORITY 5: HEALTH Organizational Health: Administration / Finance / Operations OVERALL GOAL: Through the power of the collective impact of our member businesses, HealthyVIEW aims to advocate for real, tangible solutions to create a culture of health for our community.

OBJECTIVES:

▸ Position the organization and the staff for long-term success. ▸ Provide cutting-edge technology to achieve increased productivity, efficiency and effectiveness.

▸ Protect and improve the Chamber facilities to create a safe and efficient work environment, and provide a warm and welcoming environment for visitors. ▸ Attract and retain executive-level Chamber professionals and support team members.

▸ Remain the number one choice as THE SOLUTION LEADER for access and resources for Longview area businesses.

410 North Center Street Longview, TX 75601 903.237.4000 Fax 903.237.4049 www.longviewchamber.com