In Elkton, Maryland, a town known for its strong community ties, the downtown area plays a vital role in fostering local pride and connection. Elkton Alliance, Inc. is a key driver in ensuring the economic prosperity of the downtown, driving growth and cultivating the future of a crucial community touchpoint.
In 2023, Elkton Alliance, Inc. faced a critical point in its history and sought strategic expertise to develop a clear vision for the organization’s future. To achieve this, they approached PPR Strategies to develop an organizational strategic plan that would help establish a solid foundation for the staff and board members to rely on as they chart their new course.
To fully grasp the needs, perceptions, and goals of Elkton Alliance, Inc., our team conducted research to gain clarity on their internal structure, processes, policies, and procedures. PPR conducted in-depth interviews with Elkton Alliance Inc.’s staff and its thirteen board members to actively engage their feedback on the vision and transformation of the organization.
PPR also coordinated a focus group to pull in the feedback of twelve key community stakeholders, allowing our team to gain a better understanding of external perceptions, needs, and goals. The focus group members included business owners, volunteers, local officials, and supporting agencies, all of whom played a crucial role in shaping the strategic plan.
PPR analyzed the findings to establish common themes across both stakeholder groups, uncovering three key priorities:
- Concentrate the organization’s main focus on either events or economic development
- Establish the organization as a primary resource for current and prospective local businesses
- Assess and refine key practices such as events, funding, and onboarding processes for board members.
The PPR team developed an analysis of the organization’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This assessment provided PPR with a framework to identify the immediate needs of Elkton Alliance, Inc.
To guide Elkton Alliance, Inc. toward their initiatives, PPR mapped out tangible goals and objectives, including strategies to foster greater transparency, develop the organization as a valuable economic resource for the community, and strengthen relationships with stakeholders and the community as a whole, all while maintaining their mission of growing and supporting the town. Some of the goals included establishing the organization’s identity, engaging the community, organization funding, and establishing metrics, policies, and procedures.
The strategic plan, thoughtfully designed for implementation over three to five years, remains firmly aligned with Elkton Alliance, Inc.’s mission to grow and support the town. Every action is guided by the organization’s core values and objectives, ensuring consistent progress toward its goals.
