Page 31 - Murfreesboro, TN Comprehensive Plan: Chapter 7, Economic Development

Economic Development 7.31

DRAFT 12.02.15

GAME CHANGER:
LANDING WHITE COLLAR JOBS
“The Gateway District needs

to add more white collar

corporate jobs. It needs to

businesses. Enlist local banks to contribute both be zoned mixed-use to add
capital and management expertise. Identify
permanent capitalization sources (i.e., foundations, more retail, restaurants, and
pooled bank funds, grants, general funds, CDBD
grants etc). commercial activity. Landing
12. Enlist City, business and education leaders to lead
development efforts for an angel (equity) fund for these types of jobs will finally
potential high-growth businesses. Funders may
include area foundations and wealthy individuals. catapult Murfreesboro into a
13. Use multiple avenues to promote the City’s
entrepreneurship programs including a dedicated more independent city. Right
web portal, social media, and young professionals
groups. now, residents with advanced
14. Work with the U.S. Economic Development
Administration (EDA) MTSU, the Tennessee degrees are either unemployed,
Department of Economic and Community
Development, and the Rutherford County Chamber underemployed, or have to drive
of Commerce to fund a business plan and/or grants
competition for start-ups willing to make a limited-
term commitment to Murfreesboro. to Nashville or Franklin to work.
15. Team with Main Street Murfreesboro / Rutherford Murfreesboro needs these jobs
County, Inc. and SCORE to offer one-on-one business
checkups with local (especially Downtown) small
businesses. Work with the tech college system right here at home...”
to provide basic marketing, accounting, business
planning and social media instruction under a new
“virtual business accelerator” program.