Fairview budget funds economic development specialist; committee pushes business outreach and roundtable

The City of Fairview’s adopted budget includes funding to recruit an economic development specialist, staff told the Economic Development Advisory Committee, and committee members urged active outreach to fill committee seats and connect with local businesses.

Sarah Selden, community development director, told the committee that “it did, get included in the adopted budget for economic development specialist, for this fiscal year,” and that staff expects to begin recruitment this month. Committee members discussed advertising the position and the committee’s work in the city newsletter, hosting a local business roundtable, and directly inviting brick-and-mortar businesses to engage.

Members noted low public attendance at committee meetings and that the committee currently has vacancies after a member missed six consecutive meetings and was removed. Selden said one application has been received and that committee members have identified at least one Halsey Street business that might apply.

Committee members favored a business roundtable or networking meeting to reach small-business owners who may not know the city has economic-development resources. They suggested using the quarterly city newsletter and direct outreach to downtown businesses, and discussed creating an intercommittee meeting so committee chairs can coordinate overlapping issues. Selden said staff will circulate recruitment materials and a draft of any council recommendation on the grants program before the work session.

No formal hiring action occurred at the meeting; the committee’s role is advisory and staff will run the recruitment process.