The following five elements can start significantly before, and terminate after, the construction project. It is not essential to implement all five elements for every business. Parts of this outreach program may be provided by the municipality. In addition, some businesses may choose to develop their own plans and strategies for managing a potential drop in business activity. Nevertheless, it is important that these elements be available for all businesses.

1. Provide pre-construction project information and business community outreach materials to outreach area participants:
   1. Information may be disseminated via e-mail, flyers, newsletters, meetings, Web site, etc. 
   2. Meetings may begin six months to several years in advance followed by subsequent updates until construction begins
   3. Information may include project scope, design and schedule
   4. Continuous feedback loops regarding concerns, questions, suggestions, etc. 

2. Provide periodic project updates during construction to outreach area participants:
   1. Updates may be disseminated via e-mail, direct mail, newsletters, meetings, Web site, etc. 
   2. Updates may include changes to project scope, schedule and traffic mitigation plans 
   3. Continuous feedback loops regarding concerns, questions, suggestions, etc. 

3. Provide a point-of-contact for addressing issues, questions, comments and concerns from outreach area participants:
   1. An assigned outreach ombudsman 
   2. An ombudsman approach to business concerns and solutions 

4. Provide business-group seminars and activities for outreach area participants:
   1. Periodic group sessions to inform and advise.
   2. Educational workshops and training classes related to common business issues and topics
   3. Information in forming business associations.
   4. Programs and seminars presented by local business organizations, chambers, associations, etc.
   5. Miscellaneous opportunities: Co-op marketing, sale events, partnerships, resource sharing, etc. 

5. Provide consulting to individual business owners via confidential one-on-one sessions for outreach area participants:
   1. Conduct preliminary needs assessment
   2. Prioritize issues within assessment
   3. Develop strategies to address key needs. Possible solutions may address the following areas:
      1. Strategic or business plan development
      2. Marketing, advertising or promotional strategies
      3. Customer service, staffing and training strategies 
      4. Operating and inventory strategies
      5. Online and relocation strategies.