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Windcrest EDC explores taking over city newsletter and subsidizing ads to boost local business advertising
Summary
The board discussed bringing the city newsletter under EDC coordination, potential added costs, legal limits on promotional spending, and a proposed ad‑subsidy grant modeled on the Storefront Grant to help small local businesses advertise.
Board members and staff discussed a proposal to fold the city newsletter work into EDC responsibilities, the potential costs of upgrades, and a preliminary idea for a local business advertising subsidy.
Staff and board members said interim city management offered to perform services the EDC previously contracted out if the EDC takes responsibility for the newsletter. The board discussed publication enhancements that would increase cost: distribution to both residents and businesses, larger page counts, and higher‑quality paper. Staff said the EDC will solicit bids from current vendors, including Neighborhood News and Mad Women Marketing, and will continue cost and legal analysis before committing to the work.
The board also discussed how advertising is currently sold by publishers and how higher ad rates can price out small local businesses. One board member proposed an advertising grant modeled on the EDC’s storefront/streetscape grant: a matching subsidy in which a business pays part of the ad and the EDC covers the remainder (for example, a $1,000 ad split 50/50). Board members described this as a potential way to prioritize Windcrest businesses in newsletter advertising and keep sales tax revenue local. Staff emphasized that any such subsidy must comply with statutory limits on promotional activity; one speaker noted that certain projects or expenditures above $10,000 may require city council approval and a public hearing, and staff said they will consult legal counsel about statutory limits and whether proposed newsletter work would be treated as a project or a routine expense.
No formal subsidy program was adopted; staff will continue conversations with the city manager, legal counsel and potential vendors and return with cost estimates and a plan that addresses statutory constraints.
