Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Economic Development topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Economic development group pitches year‑round marketing plan; council questions land and staffing
Summary
Douglas Brockway presented the Economic Development Commission''s draft marketing plan urging a year‑round economic focus for Westerly and a town staff 'concierge' to support businesses. Councilors praised the work but questioned where larger employers would locate and whether the town should hire or contract the role.
Douglas Brockway, chairman of the Economic Development Commission, told the Wesley Town Council on March 2 that the commission''s draft marketing plan focuses on building a year‑round economy rather than expanding summer tourism. Brockway said the plan aims to "develop a comprehensive marketing plan for Westerly targeting developers and potential new businesses" and recommends promoting healthcare, manufacturing and arts and entertainment as core sectors.
The plan calls for a dedicated town staff position to serve as a business concierge to maintain messaging, coordinate web and social media outreach and be a single point of contact for prospective businesses. "We think the first target should be help existing businesses by finding outside businesses…to buy the products that we make here or buy the services we offer here," Brockway said, arguing outreach to intermediaries such as commercial brokers and bankers would help local firms grow.
Several councilors welcomed the EDC's inventory and volunteer effort but cautioned that Westerly has limited developable land. "We don't have the available spaces for these industries to come in," Council Litra said, urging the council to be realistic about where larger employers could be sited. Council Vandova and others pressed the commission to emphasize workforce training and retention as key constraints for manufacturers who say they would expand if they could hire trained staff.
Council members also debated implementation: some supported a paid full‑time staff position, others proposed a contracted (1099) or shared regional approach. Council Healey suggested a part‑time contractor to get the plan moving, while others said the planning department should first review and the planning board provide input. Brockway said the plan does not include timing or budget and that EDC had not yet coordinated resource proposals with town manager Lacy.
The council agreed the plan is a useful start and urged EDC to work with town planning staff and the Rhode Island Commerce agency. Brockway and council liaisons were asked to bring the plan back after planning staff and the planning board have reviewed it. The council did not take a funding vote at the meeting; any request for a staff position or budget allocation will come later through the planning and budget process.
What happens next: the council directed staff to circulate the plan to the planning department and planning board for review and to report back with options for implementation and possible budget lines for a business‑concierge role.
