How Does This Local Economic Development Team Use HubSpot?

This 3 person economic development team covers a lot of ground with a small staff.

Their responsibilities include business retention and expansion (BRE), working with existing businesses to support growth. Additionally, they actively seek new investment opportunities by promoting the city’s advantages and addressing any obstacles. Workforce development, economic resilience, and stakeholder relationship-building are also part of their mandate. By championing economic growth and collaboration, these organizations directly impact the city’s attractiveness to investors and the quality of life for its residents.

• Business Retention and Expansion (BRE):

  • The team actively engages with existing businesses to retain and expand their operations.
  • They manage a formal BRE program with the goal of meeting 50 targeted companies annually.
  • Programs and grant funds are pursued to support local businesses.

• Business Attraction

  • The team is charged with attracting new business in 7 key industry clusters.
  • Key metrics include: Total Cap X, # of net New Jobs Created, Average Annual Wage and Total Sq. Feet Occupied (Industrial & Commercial)

• Grant Management and Incentives:

  • Grant funds are distributed to local companies for initiatives such as the Facade Improvement Program.
  • The team ensures compliance with local incentives over multiple years.
  • Incentive Payments are made based on performance metrics (in this case, sales tax revenue generated)

• Website Development and Integration:

  • The team hosts a new website using HubSpot tools and has a separate website for Workforce Development built on WordPress.
  • Integrations include Outlook, Gmail, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.

• Property Development 

  • They engage in property development efforts, including retail, industrial, and residential properties.
  • The team also facilitates property transactions, buying and selling properties as needed.

• Internship Program and Student-Employer Matching:

  • They connect students with employers through an internship program, promoting workforce development.

• Custom Reports and Security Measures:

  • The team utilizes 52 custom reports, allowing for data-driven decision-making.
  • Security is a priority, with everyone signing in using Single Sign-On technology to log into HubSpot with 1 click  (SSO).

• Efficiency and Collaboration Tools:

  • Email templates, snippets, HubSpot meeting links, and automation tools enhance efficiency and collaboration.
  • Mobile app usage and business card scanning streamline processes.
  
  

• Support and Learning Resources:

  • Live, free, and unlimited support is provided directly by HubSpot.
  • The team benefits from the HubSpot learning academy, online courses, and a searchable knowledge base.

• Marketing and CRM:

  • They actively market to 900 contacts through ads and email campaigns.
  • The CRM database contains a total of 10,000 contacts.

• Events and Financial Management:

  • The team manages events, payments, and QuickBooks-related tasks.  8 Events are held each 1. 

Licenses Used

• Content Hub Starter (website, blog)
• Marketing Hub Starter (email marketing, lists, forms, CTA's, connect LinkedIn and Google Ads) with up to 1,000 "marketing contacts"
• Sales Hub Pro (1 licenses) 
• Service Hub Enterprise (1 licenses)
• Commerce Hub 
• Operations Hub Starter
• Free integrations listed above
  

How Does HubSpot Work for a Regional Economic Development Team?

This regional economic development organization collaborates with 15 municipalities covering 6 counties in their region. This organization plays a crucial role in fostering economic growth, equity, and prosperity within its area of influence.

The organization brings together local leaders, businesses, nonprofits, and educational institutions from 15 municipalities across 6 counties. Their collaborative efforts aim to address shared economic challenges and create a more prosperous region. By working together, they can pool resources, share best practices, and coordinate economic development initiatives effectively.

Every local EDO has incorporated 12 BRE data points when conducting local BRE visits - these 12 data points and captured and shared with the regional EDO for consistent reporting across the region while allowing each local EDO to localize their BRE interview.  Additionally 10 State / Province BRE data points are also captured for state level reporting.

Strategic Focus Areas:

• Generate Leads: The organization actively seeks out potential investors, businesses, and partners to attract economic opportunities to the region.
• Digital Advertising and Email Marketing: They leverage digital channels to promote the region’s assets, business climate, and investment opportunities.
• HubSpot manages all Business Attraction efforts and collaboration with the local EDO teams to secure regional wins.
• Local EDO partners are able to log in to HubSpot and can only see their Project Pipeline.
• The organization is privately funded and must raise funds from municipalities, grants and private companies - HubSpot handles all of these efforts.
• Grant Pursuit: They proactively seek grant funds to support local programs and initiatives.
• Local Incentives: The organization approves incentives for larger attraction projects and ensures compliance over multiple years.
• Payment Management: Incentive Payments are made to organizations based on performance metrics tied to incentives.
• Website Development: Their new website is hosted on HubSpot and built using HubSpot tools, including landing pages, a blog, and AI-generated content.
• Integrations Include: Outlook, Gmail, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom.
• Custom Reports: The organization uses custom reports (up to 500) to track progress and make data-driven decisions.
• Security and Ease of Use: Single Sign-On ensures top-notch security, and personalized experiences enhance usability.
• Efficiency and Collaboration: Email templates, snippets, meeting links, and automation tools boost efficiency.
• Mobile App Usage: The entire team uses the mobile app for convenience, including scanning business cards.
• Support and Learning: Live, free, and unlimited support from HubSpot, along with access to the learning academy and online courses.

Marketing and CRM:

• They actively market to a database of 14,800 contacts via ads and email campaigns.
• Events and Payments: They manage event payments directly within HubSpot and integrate with QuickBooks Online.
• Website Management: Their 38-page website serves as a hub for information, lead generation, and engagement.
• Website Traffic and Performance Analysis: They closely monitor website traffic, analyze performance metrics, and optimize user experiences. SEO tools help enhance their online visibility and reach.

Content and AI:

• Image and Content Generation: Leveraging AI, they create images, content, meta descriptions, emails, and blog content. This dynamic approach ensures engaging and relevant communication across various channels.
• Website Traffic and Performance Analysis: They closely monitor website traffic, analyze performance metrics, and optimize user experiences. SEO tools help enhance their online visibility and reach.

Lead Capture:

• Shared Email Inboxes: With 4 shared email inboxes, they efficiently manage inquiries, support requests, and leads.
• HubSpot Forms, Chat, and Chatbots: These tools on their website convert visitors into support tickets, guide them to a searchable knowledge base, and create leads.

Investor Relations and Memberships:

• They actively engage with investors, fostering relationships and promoting membership
• They accept event payments directly within HubSpot, streamlining financial processes.
• QuickBooks Integration: Their integration with QuickBooks Online ensures seamless financial management.

Sales Pipelines:

• They maintain 3 pipelines:
• New Investor Sales
• Investor Renewals
• Investor Onboarding
• Automation saves time, and the sales team can generate quotes, payment links, and track invoice status within HubSpot.

Existing Industry (BRE):

• Custom Surveys and NPS Tracking: They use HubSpot for custom surveys and track Net Promoter Scores (NPS).
• Customer Support Tracking: Assistance provided is meticulously monitored.
• Formal BRE System: HubSpot provides a structured system for business retention and expansion.
• Incentive Management and Compliance: They ensure adherence to incentive programs.

Start-Up and Entrepreneur Support:

• They actively assist start-ups and entrepreneurs, providing resources, mentorship, and guidance.

Business Attraction:

• Leads, Projects, and Incentives: They actively pursue leads, manage projects, and offer incentives to attract new businesses.
• New Business Community Onboarding: Welcoming new businesses into the community is a priority.

Custom Objects and Projects:

• Custom Objects: manage committees, events, registrations, programs, grants reporting, and real estate (sites and buildings).
• Custom Projects: They use HubSpot for project management, integrating with tools like Monday.com and ClickUp via the HubSpot app marketplace

• Content Hub Starter (website, blog)
• Marketing Hub Starter with up to 6,000 "marketing contacts" 
• Sales Hub Pro (1 licenses) 
• Service Hub Enterprise (3 licenses)
• Commerce Hub 
• Operations Hub Starter
• Free integrations listed above

7 Person Team - Funded by Private Investment

This economic development team is privately funded and HubSpot manages Investors / Donors / Members.  

Their responsibilities include business retention and expansion (BRE), and working with existing businesses to support growth. Fostering workforce growth, ensuring economic stability, and cultivating strong connections with stakeholders also fall within their purview. 

Additionally, this team actively seek new investment opportunities via their Business Attraction Efforts.  

• Generate Leads: The organization actively seeks out potential investors, businesses, and partners to attract economic opportunities.
• Digital Advertising and Email Marketing: They leverage digital channels to promote the region, business climate, and investment opportunities.
• Project Management: Whether in-person or virtual (via Teams and Zoom), they efficiently manage projects.
• Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) tracks annual visits and support tickets.
  • Custom Surveys and NPS Tracking: They use HubSpot for custom surveys and track Net Promoter Scores (NPS).
  • Customer Support Tracking: Assistance provided is meticulously monitored.
  • Formal BRE System: HubSpot provides a structured system for business retention and expansion.
• Hosting and Charging for Events: They organize events to foster collaboration and charge for participation.
• Investor Relations: Building strong relationships with investors is a priority.
  • Secure Donations: They actively seek financial support from donors.
  • Payment Acceptance and QuickBooks Integration: Managing payments and financial records is streamlined.
• Grant Pursuit: They proactively seek grant funds to support local programs.
  • Grant Fund Distribution: Ensuring equitable distribution of grant funds.
• Local Incentives Approval and Compliance: They approve incentives and monitor compliance over multiple years.
  • Performance-Based Payments: Payments are tied to organizational performance.
• New Website: Their website, hosted on HubSpot, serves as a hub for information and engagement.
• Data-Driven Insights and Efficiency:
• Custom Reports: They use 120 custom reports (with room for up to 500) to track progress and make informed decisions.
• Security and Ease of Use: Single Sign-On ensures top-notch security, and personalized experiences enhance usability.
  
• Efficiency and Collaboration Tools:
  • Email templates, snippets, HubSpot meeting links, and document libraries boost productivity.
  • Mobile App Usage: The entire team uses the mobile app for convenience.
  • Business Card Scanning: They streamline contact management using mobile cameras.
• Live, Free, and Unlimited Support: HubSpot provides direct phone support.
• Learning Resources: Access to the HubSpot learning academy, online courses, and a searchable knowledge base.
• Marketing and CRM:
  • Active Marketing: They target 5,520 contacts via ads and email campaigns.
  • CRM Database: Their CRM database includes 14,800 contacts.
• Event Management and Payments - They accept event payments directly within HubSpot.
  • Integration with QuickBooks Online ensures seamless financial management.
• Website Development:
  • Their 25-page website, built and hosted using HubSpot, features landing pages, a blog, email marketing, and AI-generated content.
  • New Website: Their website, hosted on HubSpot, serves as a hub for information and engagement. 
  • SEO tools help them rank high in search engines and other HubSpot tools help convert anonymous website traffic into leads that are targeted with digital ads.
  • AI-Generated Content: They use AI to create images, content, meta descriptions, emails, and blog content.

• • Website Traffic Analysis and SEO Tools: They optimize their online presence for better visibility.
  • Lead Capture:
  • Shared Email Inboxes: Efficiently managing inquiries, support requests, and leads.
  • HubSpot Forms, Chat, and Chatbots: These tools convert website traffic into support tickets, guide visitors to a searchable knowledge base, and create leads.
• Reporting and Investor Relations
• Incentive Management and Compliance: Ensuring adherence to incentive programs.
• Start-Up and Entrepreneur Support: Supporting new ventures.
• Business Attraction: Pursuing leads, managing projects, and offering incentives.
• After an Attraction Project is Announced, the New Business Community Onboarding process kicks in.

Licenses Used

• Content Hub Starter (website, blog)
• Marketing Hub Starter (email marketing, lists, forms, CTA's, connect LinkedIn and Google Ads) with up to 6,000 "marketing contacts"
• Sales Hub Pro (1 licenses) 
• Service Hub Enterprise (3 licenses)
• Commerce Hub 
• Operations Hub Starter
• Free integrations listed above