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EDC pushes to expand and promote business-concierge service to help downtown openings
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Summary
The Oswego Economic Development Commission discussed expanding its business-concierge program, reported pilot successes helping merchants with signage and permitting, and agreed to pursue outreach including tip sheets and an autumn open-house to boost small-business retention and recruitment.
The Economic Development Commission on Tuesday discussed steps to broaden a business-concierge service that helps prospective and existing merchants navigate permits, signage and inspections.
Kevin, development-services staff, told the commission the concierge team meets weekly to follow up on candidate projects and has piloted the service with downtown businesses including Freddie's and Scribe Cookie. He said the concierge's role is to coordinate among departments and outside agencies so business owners avoid last-minute delays: “We're kind of the middle man in a way to help kind of translate things better for them,” he said.
Commissioners described hands-on examples. One member who knows Hello Gorgeous said staff provided sign requirements and met on site to explain permitted options; the owner later worked with staff to order compliant signs. Commissioners credited the concierge approach with helping projects clear common pitfalls such as incorrect sign dimensions and unpermitted awnings.
Members proposed clearer packaging and outreach: a village-board member in the public forum urged production of concise tip sheets tailored to common use cases (rebrands, new openings, retrofit projects) that could be posted on the village website and distributed at the permit counter. Commissioners also suggested a modest marketing push via the EDC newsletter, social media and local events.
Staff proposed an EDC-hosted open house this fall to present "Economic Development 101," explain the concierge service and invite business owners to ask questions; the group discussed potential venues and timing (October or early November) and agreed to recruit volunteers to help plan the event. Kevin asked for volunteers; commissioners Terry and Laura agreed to assist.
The commission emphasized the service is ongoing and staff-level, not a regulatory change: staff will return with a proposed outreach plan, sample tip sheets and dates for the open house at a future meeting.