Economic development contractors report 65 business contacts, 35 site visits and 10 expansions; councilors press for more local detail

Baberton — Representatives from Insight briefed the Baberton City Council finance committee on March 3 about business retention and expansion work in the city, reporting roughly 65 business contacts and communications, about 35 site visits, and 10 expansion outcomes tied to that outreach.

Insight’s representatives (identified in committee remarks as Sean Joyce and Scott Harrington) told councilors the outreach effort retained approximately 200 jobs and estimated the prospect of adding another 200 jobs over the next five years through business expansions and relocation assistance. The consultants described work across downtown and other commercial corridors, coordination with Main Street of Barberton, Team NEO and the county, and efforts to assemble grant and property matches for businesses seeking space or capital improvements.

Council members asked for more detail about the specific companies involved and for greater public transparency. Insight staff said some expansion leads remain confidential at the businesses’ request; the consultants said they had shared a summary report with the mayor’s office and that some firm‑level details were withheld because companies wanted to protect proprietary plans or had signed nondisclosure agreements while pursuing opportunities. Insight told councilors it had shared a summary of metrics and that more detailed lists could be provided where firms grant permission.

Councilors also pressed on several local economic challenges raised during the discussion: vacant buildings downtown (including the former Rite Aid site on First Street), difficulty finding financing or grants for businesses affected by the long Worcester Road West reconstruction project, and the need for succession planning for aging business owners who might sell or retire. Insight said it has worked to match property owners to prospective tenants and to coordinate with the Barberton Community Foundation and Team NEO to pursue grant or donor funds where possible, but that funding remains limited and competitive.

Insight also said outreach has brought prospective outside companies to look at sites in Baberton, including repeatedly showing one larger site to out‑of‑area prospects. Councilors asked about the transparency of attending BRE (business retention & expansion) visits and whether elected officials could attend; Insight replied it will seek firm permission before inviting councilors and cautioned that some business conversations require confidentiality to preserve trust.

Why it matters

The data Insight presented — counts of contacts, site visits and expansion outcomes — are the metrics the city is using to measure local economic development engagement. Councilors’ questions and staff responses highlight tradeoffs between transparency for elected officials and confidentiality requested by businesses, and underscore gaps in available relief funding for businesses hurt by extended public works projects.

Next steps

Insight and city staff agreed to continue sharing summary metrics and to seek permission from businesses to provide more specifics to councilors. The finance committee and mayor’s office said they will continue coordinating with the Barberton Community Foundation and county and state partners to locate grant funding for distressed businesses.

Speakers and organizations referenced in the presentation are listed below.