Needham CEA weighs marketing, zoning hurdles and site readiness as town seeks to attract businesses

The Town of Needham’s Council of Economic Advisors met Oct. 10 and focused on how the town markets itself to prospective businesses, the practical hurdles small businesses face when leasing or buying space, and specific zoning limits that can delay or block new businesses.

Why Needham matters, the committee agreed, is a messaging and process issue. Amy, who previously served as Needham’s economic development manager and is participating on the committee, said the town receives many inquiries from small businesses and “I would say that the inquiries that I used to get when I was in the economic development manager position, again, we're mostly from smaller businesses.” The committee heard that the town’s economic development webpage and permitting guide are out of date and that some content can be borrowed or adapted from neighboring communities and state resources.

The committee’s discussion combined marketing — what to show a prospective tenant about Needham’s workforce, transit and nearby amenities — with a call to make the permitting and zoning process clearer and less burdensome for users who are not working with commercial brokers. Mike Wilcox, a broker who said he markets office buildings in Needham, told the group: “Needham has some favorable sort of dynamics as it relates to commuting…