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Wildwood introduces new communications and economic development manager; launches FAQs and business-spotlight plans
Summary
Paula Bassan, the city’s new communications and economic development manager, introduced herself and described early work compiling a website FAQ to reduce redundant inquiries; staff also proposed a Business Spotlight program to profile local businesses through multimedia.
The Wildwood Economic Development Committee formally introduced Paula Bassan as the city’s new communications and economic development manager and heard her initial plans to centralize frequently asked questions and produce a business-profile series.
City Administrator Thomas Lee introduced Bassan as a hire with communications and journalism experience who has already begun outreach to local stakeholders. "Paula comes with a wealth of expertise, especially in the communications sphere," Lee said.
Bassan told the committee she began by meeting staff and listening to callers and visitors. "I sat next to Ruth for an hour, and I just wanted to listen to what the calls that came in... I immediately noticed that she was getting many of the same questions. And so I thought, why don't we put together a streamlined resource list?" Bassan said. She described an FAQ and resource page intended to live on the city's homepage and to be shared via newsletter and social media to reduce phone and counter traffic.
The committee also discussed a proposed Business Spotlight program to profile local companies. Staff described the feature as a short, shareable profile — potentially including photos or short video teases — aimed at humanizing businesses, giving them visibility and practical information, and driving engagement on social platforms. Committee members suggested prioritizing a mix of new and established businesses, ensuring industry diversity and focusing on measurable community impact. Some members recommended higher-frequency postings to build traction; others emphasized fairness and selection transparency.
Bassan said the goal is to create an "evergreen" FAQ and to craft profiles that are actionable for residents and useful for businesses seeking exposure. The committee encouraged staff to return with selection criteria and a distribution plan for the spotlight series.
Ending: Staff will circulate the FAQ and a proposed Business Spotlight selection process to the committee for further review before launching.
