Vercitas News
11/9/2008
Holbrook is asked to attend Business Facilities Live Exchange to represent Tourism Destination Project opportunities to the economic development participants in Huntington Beach California.
Don A. Holbrook
10/21/2008
Holbrook has been asked to moderate at IEDC annual conference in Atlanta. The panel will discuss creating destination tourism projects that attract visitors to communities. These new projects are the cutting edge new economic development tools that create major investment into facilities and brand communities with a positive quality of life and lifestyle amenities for recreation. These projects create considerable new employment and huge new revenues for the communities that are successful in attracting such investments. Holbrook will have the panel discuss how such investments are smaller in scope today and refined to specific locales. Now most communities can design projects that fit their own markets if they follow the blueprint for creating the necessary knowledge of what will work and the investors ROI business case prior to commencing such transaction. These projects require well coordinated public private partnerships to be effective and successful. Chris Brown of Contour Entertainment will be a panelist. Contour is a strategic partner of Vercitas for such projects.
Don A. Holbrook
6/26/2008
Holbrook speaks as Keynote speaker at Choose Dupage Capital Campaign kick-off luncheon. They invited over 1,100 people to the event. His speech is on prosperity with a purpose the renewed sense of fearless leadership in the global era. He conducted a workshop the next day for 60-75 local economic developers in the Chicago region about "The Art of the Deal Today."
Don A. Holbrook
6/16/2008
Jim has been invited to give a speech at the prestigious "Roundtable in the South"event sponsored by Expansion Management magazine. The event will be held in Pinehurst,NC June 16 -19. Jim will discuss his views on "Call Center Issues and Trends in the US". The event will be attended by 70 Economic Development leaders and officials.
James R. Beatty
6/16/2008
Holbrook conducts site familiarization tour of Kansas City, KS Village West Legends project. This is being conducted as part of the potential site search for a major league baseball farm team project and combined retail, entertainment, sports and leisure immersive master planned concept currently under consideration with a public sector partner. The project is a joint venture with Contour Entertainment and National Sports Services.
Don A. Holbrook
6/15/2008
Holbrook's "Little Black Book of Economic Development," becomes a new Ebook on Amazon. This new format allows the new Amazon wireless electronic book service, "Kinder" to sell and distribute the book via their new electronic paper readership system. Kinder is a massive new shift in how people read books and store them via digital format. Holbrook says, "I am excited to see my book translated into this new electronic format and the savings to consumers is awesome, not to mention the number of trees we save as well." You can purchase the electronic book via Amazon.com
Don A. Holbrook
6/9/2008
Holbrook visits North Carolina to research the possible placement of a major thematic resort attraction that could draw visitors from many of the major metropolitan cities into the North Carolina Economy. Concept is still in the conceptual evaluation stage and is a joint project with Contour Design if it is activated. Holbrook has stated he feels the North Carolina visitor experience is under developed from his observations from previous site visits in 2007.
Don A. Holbrook
6/5/2008
Holbrook conducts site visit in Puerto Rico to investigate the opportunity for a major thematic project in Puerto Rico. He toured the island and conducted several site visits. Met with the local commonwealth authorities and has submitted an opinion to Alborado Investment Group to support their investment and next phase concept. The project will be joint ventured with Contour Entertainment Group of Los Angeles, California. The project will be a beach front hotel/casino and thematic immersive resort when completed and has been coined the Atlantis of Puerto Rico concept.
Don A. Holbrook
6/1/2008
Jim was invited by the Oklahoma Southeast economic development group to tour several communities in the area and to access thir readiness to recruit call center and customer service organizations. Among the communities he visited were Coalgate where he met with Mayor Mike Elkins. Mayor Elkins and Oklahoma Department of Commerce representative Glenn Glass showed Jim their 6,000 square foot plug and play call center.
James R. Beatty
5/27/2008
Jim has been invited to be a keynote speaker at the Fall Professional Developers of Iowa conference. The conference dates are September 24-26. The conference will be held at the West Des Moines Marriott. This is the key meeting for all economic developers in Iowa.
James R. Beatty
5/26/2008
Holbrook spoke to the Wayne Area Economic Development conference about the issues of creating prosperity with a purpose at their regional conference. His keynote address to approximagtely 125 people spoke of world class community attributes in the era of globalization. It was carried on the local NBC News Channel that evening.
Don A. Holbrook
5/21/2008
Mike taught a segment of the IEDC sponsored ED training course at Western New Mexico University.
Mike Michalski
5/16/2008
Michalski participated in a state sponsored site selectors event.
Mike Michalski
5/2/2008
In an effort to promote regional cooperation, Michalski has actively assisted several communities and companies learn more about the benefits of the FTZ program as well as specific methods for expanding and delivering benefits in the most efficient manner.
Mike Michalski
4/20/2008
Mike facilitated a key meeting to introduce multiple partcipants to the potential of cooperating in an effort to undertake a major project having regional and state implications.
Mike Michalski
4/10/2008
Michalski facilitated a clients information campaign to assist in the release and introduction of a major new product line.
Mike Michalski
4/1/2008
Michalski is nominated to serve as chairman of the Corporate operations committee of the South Central Affiliate of the American Heart Association.
Mike Michalski
3/15/2008
Michalski secured approval for a MI. auto parts suppliers application for US Foreign Trade Zone status. Next step is to activate the facility to begin formal FTZ operations.
Mike Michalski
1/16/2008
Mike assisted a site selection client evaluate multiple states and numerous sites suitable for there future locations.
Mike Michalski
11/9/2007
Mike has been contracted to conduct the initial strategy session for a regional healthcare entity. The process will include benchmarking similar organizations across the nation.
Mike Michalski
10/29/2007
Jim was invited by Rutherford Commercial of Rutherfordton,North Carolina to visit their existing building/executive center and planned Business Park Campus. The project at full buildout will contain 80,000 square feet of Class A Office Space. Jim was asked to consult on the attractiveness of the campus for Call Centers and Back Office Operations.
James R. Beatty
10/17/2007
Jim was the featured speaker at the "Small Town Success Conference" sponsored by Lake Region State College in Devil's Lake, North Dakota. Jim's topics were "Marketing Your Community For The Best Results" and Improving Your Community's Website". There were 75 key leaders from several communities in North Dakota in attendance including representatives from US Senator Kent Conrads office.
James R. Beatty
10/4/2007
Jim and Don visited with officials of the Pendleton County Economic and Community Development Authority in Franklin, West Virginia and conducted Key Leader Interviews for 2 days. The mission was to assist in setting the economic direction for the County. This will also establish the economic initiatives for the County to attract investment and new jobs.
James R. Beatty
9/21/2007
Don Holbrook Vercitas Partner announces at IEDC in Phoenix Annual Conference the launch of his new book, "The Little Black Book of Economic Development"
Foreward by Jeff Finkle, President/CEO
International Economic Development Council, IEDC
Book will be available on-line at www.XLibris.com/bookstore on Oct 12, 2007
Book Description Below:
China and India are on the rise! Europe has surpassed the United States in GDP and Quality of Life indicators! The United States is sending jobs overseas! What is the 21st century coming to? Communities are hapless in their knowledge of how to respond at the local level to global pressures and competition. Holbrook calls his fellow economic developers to arms to address these daunting times and create unprecedented new opportunities for America’s future.
Don Holbrook sees the U.S. in a global economic struggle that will decide its’ future as a superpower.. This book is that blueprint for change that has been needed within economic development.
He urges our decision makers to adopt a sweeping program of reforms and comprehensive strategies he calls “Prosperity with a Purpose”. Developing what he calls transformation economic development catalyst projects and hybrid capitalization is essential to success. He encourages fearless leadership as leading by example as the central tenet to winning in the global economy.
As a Certified Economic Developer, Don has solutions that can revive towns & cities’ economic fortunes. He discusses how World Class Communities are a mindset not determined by geographic location or population.
Don A. Holbrook
9/19/2007
Holbrook will attend the International Economic Development conference September 15-19 in Scottsdale Arizona. During the IEDC conference he will be moderating a panel on developing World Class workforces, hosting a keynote speaker the President of the Apollo Group (Univ. of Phoenix) and attending the IEDC board of directors meeting. Holbrook also sits on the Performance Oversight Committee for IEDC.
Don A. Holbrook
9/6/2007
Jim was retained by the Rural Telephone Service Company headquartered in Kansas. RTSC serves 39 communities in northwest Kansas representing 12,000 access lines. RTSC provide fully digital, state of the art services. Jim will work with the communities in their service area. The objective is to recruit IT and Customer Service industries to the area. Jim conducted a community meeting in Stockton Kansas to discuss the marketing approach and program. There were 40 community and business leaders in attendance.
Jim then toured the communities of WaKeeny,Agra,Downs,Osborne,Phillipsburg,
Kirwin,Logan,Norton,Hill City and Plainsville. During these tours, he focused on available buildings the communities will promote on the www.callcentersites.net which is the world's leading website for call center site selection. The website is also a part of The Vercitas Group marketing efforts for communities.
James R. Beatty
8/21/2007
Wahpeton Economic Development/CDC in Wahpeton, North Dakota has just hired The Vercitas Group to represent them in the Marketing and Recruitment efforts for prospectives companies that would be suitable companies for the soon to be vacant Imation Facilites. Imation is a division of 3M Comanies. "This is a huge deal for us, as this is our first major project since forming our partnership just a few months ago," stated Sam McCord, Partner and President/CEO of McCord Consulting Group, Inc. "We are very pleased to be selected to coordinate this very important project for Wahpeton and the State of North Dakota," continues, McCord "and we are very excited and have begun the planning process and are moving ahead right away."
Sam M. McCord
8/15/2007
Don Holbrook has recently been hired to evaluate the feasibility of creating a $6M capital campaign to fund the launch of Chicago metropolitan areas fastest growing county, Dupage County's new Economic Development Organization, Dupage Biz in conjunction with Stellar Fundraising Consultants. Stellar utilizes Holbrook's expertise to evaluate the economic development program initiatives, interview key business leaders and politicians and suggest modifications to the goals to meet the expectations of the business and political constituents.
Don A. Holbrook
8/15/2007
Holbrook has been hired to do the site location search for a new major thematic destination resort and educational/entertainment complex. The initial search and profiling work will focus on the Southern portion of the United States. This project has garnered the support of both the United Nations and other foreign governments as a new collaboration in thematic edutainment based resort and tourism attraction experiences here in the United States.
The new project will include a major flag resort, spa, restaurants, science complex, exhibition centers and other venues. The project will cost approximately $150M in phase 1 to develop. It will create several thousand jobs in the community it is located within and attract more than 500,000 visitors per year. The project is code named, "The Human Heritage Project"
Don A. Holbrook
8/13/2007
Michalski has been retained to evaluate FTZ feasibility, prepare the application, and provide activation services to a growing midwest logistics company. Mike will provide all administrative, training and systems development for this project.
Mike Michalski
8/7/2007
Michalski is assisting a US university prepare and deliver specialized ED training in Mexico. Along with other practitioers he will help develop the initial professional education courses.
Mike Michalski
7/13/2007
Don Holbrook closed a major $700M Thematic Immersive Resort Deal with Texas Governor Rick Perry signing into effect special legislation in support of the project on July 13th at the Governors conference room at the Capital in Austin. The EarthQuest project will be located in East Montgomery County (Greater Houston market) and at completion will employ and contribute over 10,000 jobs and nearly $2B of annual economic impact in the local economy. Holbrook negotiated and designed the public incentive and inducements along with the site location search and acquisition on behalf of the projects client and negotiated the development agreement terms.
Don A. Holbrook
7/2/2007
Holbrook is hired by Livingston Parish Louisianna to conduct a warranted investment study for the local economy to determine the possible types and sizes of projects that might consider investing in a destination attraction zone to drive the tourism and leisure components of the Greater Baton Rouge market. The project includes the design of a ancillary public sector incentive practice for use in their business attraciton efforts to secure private investment in such projects.
Don A. Holbrook
6/30/2007
Holbrook is hired to do a major new expansion of infrastructure manufacturing plant site location. The search for heavy construction infrastructure site to fit the company needs seeking to locate near the gulf coast to meet Hurricane Katrina demands for new infrastructure components necessary to rebuild the gulf coast ecomomy commenced in June 2007. The plant will announce final location decision in early 2008.
Don A. Holbrook
6/25/2007
Jim was hired by the Northwest Louisiana Economic Development Foundation (NLEDF) to visit 8 communities in the State of Louisiana Tier One service area. The purpose was to discuss economic development issues and to develop strategies for Business Recruitment for the customer service centers,manufacturing and distribution industries. Jim visited the eight communities during a two day tour and met with economic development ,city and parish officials in each community. The tour was coordinated by the Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce.
James R. Beatty
6/12/2007
Holbrook recently returned from the annual Business Retention & Expansion International conference in Regina Saskatchewan, Canada where he spoke to the participants on entrepreneurial business retention strategies such as succession planning and transitional finance for new budding entrepreneurs and mature businesses along with innovation finance within the local existing industry market of locales.
Don A. Holbrook
6/4/2007
Jim was hired by Midstate Communications,the telecommunications company of Kimball,South Dakota to conduct a seminar on economic development for the 11 communities they serve. The seminar was held June 14 and there were 39 people in attendance at the one day meeting held at the Cedar Shores Resort in Chamberlain. Topics included Regional Marketing,Business Recruitment,Retention and Community Website Enhancement. As a result pf the conference,the communities are considering a regional organization to pursue marketing,business attraction and retention for the area.
James R. Beatty
6/1/2007
Michalski completed a Foreign Trade Zone application and received approval for a major auto patrs supplier under the expidited review procedure. Full authority is expected this fall.
Mike Michalski
5/30/2007
Jim was invited to Destin Florida by the Floridas Great Northwest economic development group. Jim had the opportunity to spend 3 days of meeting with local and state economic development officials from 15 communities to discuss marketing plans for the area. Jim also discussed Workforce Development Initiatives in the area which have been highlighted as one of the best in the nation.
James R. Beatty
5/23/2007
The Vercitas Group was represented by Sam McCord and Jim at the Mid America Economic Development Council Summer Conference held in Omaha. There were approximately 100 Economic Developers in attendance. The opening session was given by David Brown,President of the Omaha Chamber of Commerce and Omaha Mayor,Mike Fahey. Sam and Jim made valuable contacts with some of the leading economic developers in the United States.
James R. Beatty
5/4/2007
Jim was a guest of Louisiana Secretary of Commerce, Michael Olivier to receive a briefing on the latest events in the State, post Katrina recovery efforts and national projects invoving the State. Jim was in New Orleans to meet with Secretary Oliver and other key members of his staff from May 4 thru May 6.
James R. Beatty
4/11/2007
Jim was invited by the World Services Congress to give a keynote address at the World Congress Symposium in Bogota,Columbia on June 21. Jim was asked to speak on "Factors That Attract Foreign Investors in the Service Sector" The focus will be on Call Centers,Customer Service Centers and Business Process Outsourcers.
James R. Beatty
4/4/2007
Mike Was retained to present a targeted marketing presentation on industry clusters to a major metropolitan consortium of economic development groups.
Mike Michalski
3/12/2007
Jim was the keynote speaker at the National Telecommunications Cooperative Association (NTCA) premier Rural Economic Development Conference held March 12/13 in Nashville,TN. Jim delivered the keynote opening address on "Revitalizing Rural America".
Jim has been a regular contributor to NTCA and has spoken at many of their conferences. He has been very well received and works with several NTCA memeber companies
James R. Beatty
1/3/2007
To better utilize resources andto generate new jobs and investment, Mike was retained to identify and secure prospects for a high profile Western states community.
Mike Michalski
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