Success Story: Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance

magnifying glass icon  The Situation: 

The Maury County Chamber and Economic Alliance is entering its 100th year with a renewed strategic focus. Since 2010, the Alliance has operated under a public-private strategic funding model aimed at spurring economic growth. At that time, Maury County faced one of the highest unemployment rates in Tennessee, and local stakeholders charged the Alliance with creating as many jobs as possible. The organization delivered—ushering in significant job growth that catalyzed a broader wave of community expansion. Over the past decade, the organization has helped attract more than 7,500 new jobs and $6 billion in capital investment to the county.

cross-hairs icon  Funding Goals: 

Based on a comprehensive assessment, the primary funding goal was to support the Alliance's new "Enhance Maury" initiative. The projected fundraising capacity for this new phase was targeted at $1 million annually.

lightbulb icon  The Challenges: 

With the region's rapid growth came new challenges. As the Alliance recalibrates for its next five-year strategic cycle, the primary challenge and goal is no longer just to grow—it is to grow with intention. This requires a new focus on enhancing the overall quality of life in Maury County while simultaneously continuing to strengthen its economy.

checkmark icon  Our Approach: 

In 2024, RDG was engaged to conduct a comprehensive county-wide assessment that evaluated the Alliance's recent performance, identified local pain points, mapped existing community assets, and defined strategic priorities for the future. Following the assessment, RDG led a focused eight-month funding campaign. In tandem with the fundraising efforts, RDG redesigned the Alliance's investor engagement strategy to deepen collaboration efforts and sustain long-term relationships. Additionally, RDG supported the launch and implementation of a robust new investor relations program to ensure a seamless rollout of engagement opportunities.

chart icon  The Results: 

  • The initial findings revealed broad support from both the public and private sectors for the Alliance's new "Enhance Maury" initiative.
  • The eight-month funding campaign exceeded expectations, securing more than $5.3 million in pledges over a five-year period.
  • As of the writing of the case study, the total funding amount continues to grow.
  • With momentum secured, the Alliance is preparing to lead a comprehensive community visioning process as a cornerstone of the Enhance Maury campaign.
  • RDG remains a trusted partner, continuing to provide strategic counsel on funding strategy and investor engagement to ensure the organization's momentum continues into the decade ahead.