Business Retention and Expansion Program
A Business Retention and Expansion Program (BREP) is a community-based program used to open lines of communication and build relationships with local business. The program promotes job growth by helping communities identify concerns and barriers in the survival and growth of local businesses.
The approach focuses on local businesses because studies show that up to 80% of new job growth comes from existing businesses, rather than new firms that have been attracted to the area. In addition, business attraction efforts are also more likely to be successful when existing businesses are happy with the local business climate.
For more information about BREP, you can download the BREP Brochure or the BREP Strategic Plan.
Program Objectives
Short Term
- Provide community support for local businesses
- Solve immediate individual business concerns
- Compile an inventory of existing businesses with contact information
Long Term
- Improve the competitiveness of local businesses
- Establish and implement a strategic plan of action for business growth and economic development
Small Business Resource
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Business Visits
The most important element in a BREP program are the visits made to area businesses. These visits are meant to build a relationship between business leaders and the Cedar Hill Economic Development Corporation (EDC), so that as obstacles arise, they know they can turn to the EDC for assistance.
The EDC has a goal of two to four Cedar Hill business visits per week, with all the types of businesses in Cedar Hill. Click here to sign up for a BREP visit!
Community Partners
Best Southwest Small Business Development Center
207 N Cannady Drive
Cedar Hill, TX 75104
www.cedarvalleycollege.edu/sbdc
Russell Wyrich, Director
(972) 860-7893
Cedar Hill Chamber of Commerce
300 W Houston Street
Cedar Hill, TX 75104
www.cedarhillchamber.org
Amanda Skinner, President
(972) 291-7817
Cedar Valley College Continuing Education
3030 North Dallas Avenue
Lancaster, Texas 75134-3705
www.cedarvalleycollege.edu/continuingeducation.html
Bill Wells, Training Consultant
(972) 860-8206