Thank you to everyone who joined us this week for the reveal of Ardmore’s new Economic Vision Plan. If you weren’t able to attend, don’t worry — over the next six weeks, I’ll be sharing a high-level breakdown of each goal and some of the recommended tactics from VisionFirst Advisors.

First up: Focus Target Industry Marketing. Ardmore is uniquely positioned to lead in sectors like chemicals, energy and health services — industries that align with our workforce strengths and offer higher-than-average wages. Instead of relying on one major employer, this strategy targets right-sized, high-value projects that diversify our economy and boost resilience. With data-driven outreach and a proactive approach, Ardmore can turn today’s challenges into long-term opportunity.

To bring this goal to life our team and partners will implement six tactics designed to attract high-value employers, highlight the community’s strengths, and position the region for long-term economic success:
Develop Curated Executive Roundtables or Site Visits

Host exclusive roundtables and site visits to showcase Ardmore’s workforce, infrastructure and location to industry decision-makers in high-wage industries. These engagements help position Ardmore as a regional hub for logistics, chemicals and health services.

Develop Industry-Specific Content & Marketing

Create and share tailored marketing materials that highlight Ardmore’s sector strengths, wage advantages and success stories.

Activate Industry Association & Education Partnerships

Partner with industry associations and educational institutions to co-host events, build talent pipelines, and connect with site selectors. These relationships position Ardmore within key supply chains and raise its profile in target sectors like aerospace and advanced manufacturing.

Launch Thought Leadership & Hosted Programming

Establish Ardmore as a leader in regional economic strategy by hosting summits, roundtables and familiarization tours focused on innovation, workforce and supply chain trends. These events build credibility and attract attention from both site selectors and industry leaders.

Conduct Targeted Lead Generation & Direct Outreach

Use CRM tools and third-party support to identify and engage high-growth companies in Ardmore’s target sectors. Pair outreach with roadshows in nearby metros to market Ardmore’s assets, skilled labor and available industrial space.

Utilize Existing Employers as Advocates

Formalize an ambassador program using local companies to share their positive experiences with prospective companies. Their testimonials and peer-to-peer connections will help build trust and validate Ardmore as a strong location for investment.

Over the coming weeks, our team will take a closer look at each of these tactics and tailor them to complement the work already underway. If you have questions, ideas or are interested in getting involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me at aanderson@ardmore.org.