Eight Estrella Mountain Community College students are looking to help the economic development of the Southwest Valley through an innovative internship program and partnership with the Cities of Avondale, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, and Tolleson, and the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce. This Business Retention Internship program aims to help Southwest Valley cities retain current businesses while students learn valuable business skills.
Dr. Clay Goodman, vice president of occupational education at EMCC and member of the Southwest Valley Chamber of Commerce, was serving on the Chamber's Business Retention and Tourism Support committee when a discussion led to an internship idea which would serve the needs of both the cities as well as the college. "In this tough economic time, while so many communities are focused on bringing businesses to the area, this program will help retain the businesses already located in the Southwest Valley," he said. As part of the program, Estrella Mountain students will conduct interviews with current businesses in the area to aid in the cities' retention efforts. "We will also be able to find out how we, at the college, are serving the workforce needs of our local businesses," he said.
Students who were interested in participating in this program had to undergo a rigorous interview and application process. Eight students were chosen and enrolled in a 3-credit course in which they will work with several economic developers from the participating cities to write and execute a survey addressing businesses needs and reporting red flags that could hinder a business from continuing to be productive in the community.
Fifty businesses from each city have been chosen to be interviewed and will be contacted in the coming weeks; however, businesses interested in participating in this program can contact Landis Elliott at 623-535-2764. Students will present the results of the survey to the cities and the Southwest Valley Chamber Board in May 2010.