The Anna Economic Development Corporation on Jan. 2 presented a revamped Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) program aimed at promoting and supporting local businesses, especially small enterprises, through regular outreach, resource connections and a digital business directory.

"EDC doesn't just bring in the businesses after they're here. Part of our responsibility is to help them survive," said Natasha, an EDC staff member leading the BRE presentation. She described monthly outreach, site visits, a monthly email with business tips and partnerships with the Small Business Development Center and Workforce Solutions.

The program will emphasize businesses that employ between 10 and 100 employees but, as Natasha clarified, businesses with fewer than 10 employees are not excluded. "Businesses with less than 10 employees could still participate," she said, noting many are home-based or not always in brick-and-mortar locations and can be harder to identify.

EDC staff said the city is using the Blue Dot Community platform—a paid directory service—to maintain business listings, publish specials and run promotional emails. "This Blue Dot system that we have invested can support them through that marketing cover," Natasha said. The EDC plans biweekly visits, social media promotion, workshop partnerships and a monthly newsletter to highlight local businesses.

Board members thanked staff for the outreach and encouraged participation by board members in Friday BRE visits. The BRE program guide is available on the city's website and staff offered to email it to board members for a more detailed description.