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Economic development staff reports 28 business meetings since January; outreach emphasizes resources and referrals
Summary
Brad Wall, the city’s business development specialist, briefed the committee on business retention and attraction work: 28 meetings since January with mostly small businesses, outreach connecting firms to funding and technical resources, and a push to strengthen referral networks with regional partners.
Brad Wall, business development specialist in the city’s economic development division, updated the committee on outreach to local businesses and the division’s role in retention and attraction.
Wall said he has met with 28 businesses since Jan. 1; most were small businesses and many reached out to the city seeking information about funding, licensing, permits and available city property. Wall described his role as connecting businesses with city and state resources, providing follow‑up emails with links and a business resource guide, and coordinating referrals with regional partners such as the Small Business Development Center and state funding networks.
Wall said many business owners tell him they are grateful to speak with a city representative in person rather than relying on internet searches. He described common needs as funding sources, gap financing, licensing questions and help locating downtown commercial space. Wall also noted coordinated referrals from partner organizations are increasing the number of businesses contacting the city.
Committee members suggested additional outreach tools such as social‑media how‑to videos and encouraged proactive engagement with struggling downtown businesses. Wall said staff attend ribbon cuttings when possible and rely on partner referrals; he acknowledged opportunities to be more proactive about outreach to existing downtown businesses and to follow up on council referrals.
The committee heard several anecdotal examples, including work connecting a downtown market owner with the homelessness response manager to discuss ongoing issues; staff said they also connect businesses with resource partners at Husson University and Eastern Maine Community College when appropriate.
