An Assessment of Maximum-Training Business Visitation Programs

Abstract

This article describes communities implementing Business Retention and Expansion Visitation (BREV) programs and evaluates strategic-planning components of the approach. BREV programs are applicable to metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas but tend to be most often implemented in midsized communities. Compared to other communities, those that implemented BREV programs tended to have higher unemployment rates, higher per-capita incomes in the early 1980s, and a greater reliance on the manufacturing sector A survey of local program participants reveals that the most successful programs have access to a development professional and designate who will implement recommendations for community action. Moderate-sized programs are the most successful. More successful programs use a broadly representative taskforce to develop and implement recommendations. Program outcomes are related to the types of recommendations adopted.