Business retention and expansion is the foundation of effective economic development. You cannot invest time and resources to recruit new businesses while losing others due to lack of attention to changing needs or emerging obstacles. An effective retention and expansion program is based on up to date knowledge of the business community and constant communication. The program should be equipped to help businesses with expansion of current sites and facilities, assistance in identifying and preparing sites for expansions that require relocation, and assistance with regulations and permits related to planning, zoning and building. A business retention program is time and labor intensive, and requires building and maintaining good relationships with existing businesses.

Existing businesses in Independence are the core of our community’s growth. Through the employment and economic investment they create a higher quality of life for our residents. It is our goal to work hand-in-hand with our existing businesses to help them grow and expand in Independence.

The staff of the Independence IEDP, along with our strategic partners and volunteers who take part in iNbiz Committee, meet regularly with businesses throughout our community to understand and address their needs. We meet directly with local businesses to discuss issues in open and relaxed meetings. We then go to work to help find solutions and overcome obstacles that limit the growth of the company. We have access to a variety of state incentive programs and data sources that we can tap into.

Our goal is to create an environment for businesses to succeed and the community to prosper. Our staff is happy to meet with any Independence Company to learn more about their business, its challenges, and opportunities and to identify resources to help local business succeed.