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Germantown commission and Chamber to draft joint business survey to map local firms and needs
Summary
Commissioners and the Germantown Chamber agreed to draft a short, targeted survey to identify industrial and small‑business needs, host it on the chamber website after July, and use results to guide outreach and possible redevelopment recommendations.
The Village of Germantown Economic Development Commission and the Germantown Chamber agreed to collaborate on a short, targeted business survey to map local firms, identify gaps in small industrial and retail space, and improve outreach and retention.
Commissioner Melanie Smyth proposed a joint survey and shared an example used by Eagan, Minnesota, noting the commission should start with a concise tool to capture essential information. “I think it might be a good, starting point for thinking about, what the village and the chamber might jointly be interested in finding out,” she said.
Germantown Chamber Executive Director Jolietta Gillette said the chamber could host the survey on its new website once the site launches after July and would use chamber contacts to reach members while the village reaches non‑chamber businesses. Commissioners stressed the survey should be short (about five minutes), focused on specific issues (e.g., space needs, ceiling heights, parking, redevelopment interest), and followed by direct follow‑up so respondents do not feel their answers disappear into a black hole.
Business owners and developers told commissioners that vacancy patterns, long-term leases, and large single‑user industrial buildings limit availability of smaller units (6,000–10,000 sq ft). Commissioners discussed using survey results to develop a waitlist, prioritize subdividing large vacant parcels, and recommend incentives or outreach to owners of underused properties.
The commission asked members to review the sample survey and asked Melanie and Jolietta to draft a concise questionnaire for the commission to review before the next meeting. The commission will revisit prioritization of foundational documents and potential projects at its June meeting.
