Business Retention and Expansion Statewide Program The Division of Economic Development's statewide business retention and expansion (BRE) program assists communities in analyzing the key drivers of their local economy, identifying opportunities to improve the business climate, and implementing strategies that grow and expand existing local business and industry. About BRE According to Blane, Canada Ltd., the average community derives 76% of its new jobs and capital investment from existing businesses instead of new business attraction. BRE is an ongoing process of: Building community relationships with business owners and managers Collecting and analyzing data to better understand industry behavior Providing local businesses with solution to issues that may cause them to move or close Growing and strengthening businesses in the community Current BRE Programs Since launching the program, DED has delivered workshops and training programs around the state to participating organizations and regional stakeholder groups. BRE Name Contact Name Email Address Telephone Number Haines BRE Debra Schnabel director.haineschamber@gmail.com 907.766.2202 Juneau BRE Interior BRE Nadine Winters nadine@acsalaska.net or info@npedc.org 907.488.4558 or 907.457.6258 Kenai Peninsula BRE Rick Roeske rroeske@kpedd.org 907.283.3335 Ketchikan BRE Chelsea Goucher chelsea@ketchikanchamber.com 907.225.3184 Nome BRE Simon Strickling Cpd.pds@kawerak.org 907.443.4253 Southwest Alaska BRE Doug Griffin dgriffin@swamc.org 907.562.7380