Business Retention & Expansion Program - Fort Hays State University (FHSU)

Building Stronger Businesses for a Thriving Community.

The Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) Program is your pathway to sustainable economic growth in Western Kansas. Designed for economic development professionals, government officials, and community stakeholders, this microcredential program equips you with proven strategies and practical tools to support local businesses, drive economic success, and foster long-term community sustainability. Through hands-on learning, you’ll gain the skills needed to plan, implement, and evaluate BRE initiatives, ensuring a stronger future for your local economy.

What You'll Gain

This program is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to lead successful Business Retention and Expansion (BRE) initiatives. From strategic planning to hands-on implementation, you’ll learn how to support local businesses and drive sustainable economic growth in your community.

Transform Economic Insights into Local Action: Apply economic development principles to local context.

Harness Data for Strategic Decisions: Analyze data and create strategies for community engagement.

Build Powerful Stakeholder Alliances: Connect with those committed to a more prosperous Western Kansas.

Refine Your Communication and Negotiation Skills: Ensure community's interests are prioritized.

Lead Community Initiatives with Authority: Drive collective action and culture of collaboration.

Craft a Comprehensive BRE Action Plan: Walk away with an action plan for lasting economic success.

Equip Yourself with Essential Resources: Access a rich toolkit of BRE resources.

Utilize Technology to Streamline Efforts: Boost efficiency and impact via BRE software and tools.

Meet Your Instructor

Dr. Andrea Luoma

Dr. Andrea Luoma is a BRE Certified Coordinator (BREC) through the International Association for Business Retention and Expansion as well as through the University of Minnesota. She is also a certified NeuroLeadership and communication consultant, executive coach, and organizational strategist with a passion for helping leaders, teams, and organizations build trust and improve communication. Through her work as a speaker, facilitator, and trainer, she teaches how every interaction—whether verbal, intentional, or subconscious—can either pull people in or push them away.

Dr. Luoma specializes in business retention and expansion, leadership development, team cohesion, and organizational culture transformation.

She holds a Ph.D. in Leadership and a Master’s in Communication from Washington State University. Dr. Luoma is also a certified NeuroCoach©, Conversational Intelligence© practitioner, and Appreciation Languages in the Workplace© specialist. As a member of the Forbes Coaches Council, she brings cutting-edge insights to her work with students, professionals, and organizations.

BRE Pilot Program

The BRE pilot program includes three community-based cohorts - Beloit, Goodland, and Hays - using a blended learning approach. Complete the program to earn an intermediate digital credential from FHSU Professional & Continuing Education.

Program Timeline & Delivery Modality

MODULE 1: Big Picture – Setting the Stage for BRE Success
May 12-18, 2025 [asynchronous, self-directed]

In module 1, participants will explore the core principles of economic development, focusing on how to apply them to Western Kansas's unique context. You will understand the components of a BRE initiative and understand its importance for community and economic development. You will be introduced to various case studies of successful BRE programs in other rural contexts, and begin to develop a vision for leading a BRE task force in your community.

MODULE 2: Assembling a BRE Dream Team
May 20, 2025 [synchronous via Zoom]; 4:30-7:30 PM

This session will clarify the community assessment activity and ecosystem mapping introduced in module 1. You will also further define BRE team roles, highlight task force recruitment strategies and explore best practices for building strong partnerships to enhance the BRE Initiative.

MODULES 3 & 4: Crafting a Winning BRE Strategy and Planning & Launching a BRE Initiative
June 9, 2025 [live on-site at FHSU]; 11:00 AM–5:00 PM

This in-person session will cover strategic planning, community assessment, goal setting, and budgeting for a BRE Initiative. Participants will develop an action plan timeline, explore regional collaboration, and create business engagement and communication strategies. Participants will explore survey research tips and data analysis and identify key trends and challenges facing local businesses. This will be a highly interactive, learning-rich, practical workshop session.

MODULE 5: BRE Business Visits & Data-Gathering
June 16-24, 2025 [asynchronous + 1:1 cohort meeting with Andrea]

This module continues the topic of data gathering and business visits and prepares you for building rapport with owners through analyzing case studies and seeing examples of successful strategies employed in real business visits. It also provides you with additional tools for recruiting volunteers for conducting the visits. Included in this module is a chance for each community cohort to have a consultation with Dr. Andrea Luoma to check your strategies, timeline and action plan drafts.

MODULES 6 & 7: From Data to Action
June 27, 2025 [Live on-site at FHSU]; 11:00 AM–5:00 PM

This in-person session focuses on refining action plans, addressing business challenges (Red & Yellow Flags), and facilitating BRE retreats to drive solutions. Participants will learn how to summarize data to make recommendations for economic development initiatives. compile community reports, translate data into tangible outcomes, and wrap up the program.