Gallatin ‘a great place for business’

Some people think work in an economic development agency can be somewhat glamorous because it often includes travel.  While travel is a necessary part of any economic development organization’s recruitment plan, one begins to question its importance after several nights away from home. However, two recent trips reminded me exactly why travel is important.

Several weeks ago on a trip to Chicago with the Tennessee Economic Partnership (TEP), I was part of a conversation at a reception where TEP was entertaining site consultants, brokers and business owners.  I overheard a gentleman from Italy having a difficult time getting his point across.  My command of Italian seemed just slightly better than his command of English, so I offered to help.  That favor lead to a longer conversation where I discovered his company was looking to open a new production facility in the U.S.

Long story short, they have visited Gallatin. We’re on the short list.  It is far from a done deal.  These processes can take months and even a couple of years.  But, the benefit of travel for recruitment of new industry was firmly reinforced.

Travel is equally important for our existing industrial partners.  These folks have already chosen Gallatin.  They already confirm what we know —Gallatin is a great place for business.  Part of economic development is making sure our existing industries remain strong.  A quick visit to a company’s corporate headquarters goes a long way in good will and keeping open lines of communication.  Often we won’t know if a company is considering leaving until it’s too late.  Maintaining a strong relationship allows us to address a concern before it becomes a large problem.

On a recent trip to Italy, my wife and I had the opportunity to stop in Gardone to meet with folks in Beretta’s European offices.  (Before anyone jumps to conclusions, I was on my honeymoon and it was not paid for by the city.)

Most of you know Beretta is a 500-year-old company.  Regardless of where a company that old is headquartered —it has developed a deep, successful work history.  Its foundation in another country also brings differences in both work culture and communication —something I was used to after living in Italy years ago.  For example, Italians tend to talk in a very effusive, passionate manner using their hands.  They can appear to be having a spirited debate when they are, instead, having quite a normal conversation about where they ate lunch or what they’re doing after work.  Watching them work in their home plant will be a great help when working with them here in their U.S. operations.  Likewise, it will help Gallatin’s Economic Development Agency provide Beretta with understanding of our deep, successful history and culture.

Business recruitment is highly competitive.  Personal relationships can often make the difference.  Not only do we in our office realize the importance of these relationships, but the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development (ECD) also realizes their importance.  Tennessee ECD has hired recruitment specialists in Italy, Japan, and Germany.  While in Italy, I also took time to meet with Patrizia Marani, one of Tennessee’s Directors of Business Recruitment in Italy.  Over a meal, I had the opportunity to expand on the qualities of Gallatin in hopes of keeping us fresh on her mind while she talks to companies that might have an interest in Middle Tennessee.

Travelling for work can be tedious.  Many times you never get to see the city you’re actually in because your trip revolves around conferences in the hotel.  However, my recent trip to Chicago, where it was happenstance that I met a potential new Gallatin industry, and my trip to Italy where I got to see one of our industry’s headquarters, reminded me that travel is vital.  It helps us build the personal relationships that are one of the keys to Gallatin’s economic development success.

Executive Director of the Gallatin Economic Development Agency, James Fenton oversees all aspects of the city’s economic and community development efforts.