Atkinson’s community and economic development strategy involves building on our strengths to promote our existing industries and the retention of the jobs which support that business. It also involves recruiting new industries and jobs to the community. The principal strategy is directed at maintaining a good quality of life for our citizens by focusing on the following:  creating a stronger workforce, developing community resources, attracting new capital investment, broadening the community’s tax base and ensuring economic stability and viability for Atkinson.
         
Economic diversification will continue to be a critical priority for Atkinson’s economic development program. The recruitment and incubation of new businesses will strengthen diversification. A small business development program can establish the city as a nurturing environment for small business and as a center for economic opportunity.  This atmosphere, in turn, can encourage people with skills and ideas to move or return to Atkinson to make a start in business.
         
In addition to recruitment, the city can create job opportunities by helping existing businesses in the city to expand their markets, so that they may compete more successfully.  The successful marketing of Atkinson, as a center for opportunity, is important to the city’s effort to expand its labor force and attract new residents. Atkinson is uniquely located to become a strong business and service center.
 
The City of Atkinson recognizes that the attraction or expansion of new or existing business and industry to a community, takes place in a very competitive marketplace.  In order to keep Atkinson as competitive as possible in that marketplace, the community will strive to use all financial and human resources available in a partnership with federal, state, municipal and private sources.