LCRA Community and Economic Development offers training to help communities improve their economic development efforts — as well as opportunities for businesspeople, government officials and students to sharpen their leadership skills.

Here is information on the programs:

• Chamber of commerce training can help chamber boards of directors, members and staff understand and improve the role of the business organization in the community. The training helps chamber officials set priorities by establishing the chamber's mission and organizational structure.

  The training also helps chambers develop new activities, provides instruction on recruiting volunteers and information on funding sources.

• Recruitment ready training helps prepare a community for bringing new businesses to town. The two-part program allows participants to practice and demonstrate their recruitment skills.

  The first part of the two-part program covers economic development planning, community evaluation and the local business climate. It also covers the information a business looks for, what to do and not do in recruiting, prospecting and marketing and economic impact analysis.

  In the second session, LCRA helps stage a mock visit to guide a prospective new business through the community's development process. The recruiting team prepares a proposal, conducts a tour and answers questions. The performance is critiqued immediately after the role-playing exercise.

• Customer Service and Hospitality training are offered by LCRA staff members who are certified by the official hospitality program of Texas, "Texas Friendly." This program is designed to meet the specific needs of those wanting to improve their hospitality and customer service skills. We teach communication styles and problem-solving skills to build better relationships with employees and customers, including visitors and tourists to your community.

• Economic Development organization training helps these organizations in our service area to improve their products and services. We offer programs that introduce new and existing leaders to the fundamentals of community and economic development. In this training, participants can learn more about how to use successes in community development to build stronger business development programs. Retention, Expansion, Recruitment and Entrepreneurial development are all covered.

• Customized training for your organization can be developed for a variety of topics. Requests have included consensus building, group decision making, communication skills, facilitation skills, team building, board training, leadership and others. We specialize in custom designing programs to meet the specific needs of your community's organizations and leaders.

• Through the Texas Leadership Institute, LCRA helps instruct rural community leaders and volunteers who are building and planning for the future.

For more information, contact LCRA's Community and Economic Development.