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Argyle business owners form private Argyle Business Association; MDD staff to report back on possible town support
Summary
At an Argyle Municipal Development District meeting, Lynn Seiden described the newly formed Argyle Business Association LLC and its early membership; the board and staff discussed the town's shop-local campaign, marketing support and whether the MDD should participate.
Lynn Seiden, owner of Seiden Photography, told the Argyle Municipal Development District at its meeting that the Argyle Business Association has been formalized as a private LLC and is already approaching 50 paid members.
Seiden said the group began as a town program that organized networking coffees and site visits and that volunteers kept it running until the organizers decided last December to form an independent business association. "It is official. It's an actual business now, private entity. So it is no longer taxpayer funded," Seiden said, and described weekly 8 a.m. networking meetings that have drawn about 44 people to recent sessions.
The presentation matters because the association represents a new, privately funded entity focused on local economic development and could become a partner in the town's efforts to promote Argyle businesses. Seiden asked whether the town or MDD could join or otherwise partner on programs such as business grants and workshops.
Harrison, an MDD staff member, and members of the board discussed coordination possibilities. Jessica, the town marketing director, gave a separate, more detailed briefing on the ongoing "shop local" work she's been doing. She described a package of activities that includes a business directory on the town site, social-media promotion, print ads timed for holidays, an expanded events program (Easter and Arbor Day activities), and a plan for more intentional, locally focused giveaways and collateral. Jessica said she regularly visits local businesses, maintains a business directory and posts events, and has been updating the town's pages and promotional materials to highlight local merchants.
Board members and staff discussed whether the MDD should financially support the Argyle Business Association or otherwise partner with it. The board asked staff to provide more information on the implications and potential costs of MDD participation and what the town would receive in return. At the meeting Brenda and other board members said they expected a staff report; Harrison said staff would bring details on participation options and costs back to a future MDD meeting for review.
The discussion also touched on the town website and where business information and grant application links should appear. Jessica said some web pages and directories are under development and that staff will coordinate on any structural changes; she asked the board to identify needed content so staff can prioritize work as part of an upcoming CivicPlus update.
Members emphasized that the Argyle Business Association intends to complement, not compete with, other area chambers of commerce and encouraged the group's activities. Seiden invited directors to attend the group's Friday networking meetings at Seed and Photography; she provided a contact number and the association's site, argylebiz.com.
Board direction: staff was asked to return to the MDD with a briefing that outlines options and costs for participating in or otherwise supporting the Argyle Business Association and to provide an overview of how the town website could be used to promote local businesses. No formal vote was taken on pursuing financial support at this meeting.
A closing note: Jessica said she will continue the shop-local marketing work currently in progress and will coordinate with staff and the association on promotion and event logistics.
