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Wakefield EDC backs small‑business mentorship program, discusses vacant‑storefront options
Summary
The Economic Development Committee voted unanimously to advance a small‑business mentorship program and spent substantial time debating vacant‑storefront remedies — from registration and fines to incentives such as state tax credits — with plans to invite the former bylaw chair for guidance.
The Wakefield Economic Development Committee on Monday voted to advance a small‑business mentorship program and continued a longer discussion about how to address vacant storefronts in downtown Wakefield.
Committee members approved a motion to move the mentorship effort to the next step, with staff directed to recruit mentors and create an application process; the vote was unanimous. Erin, the town’s economic development director, said she will coordinate applications with town staff and an online application portal if the committee chooses that route.
Context: members described the mentorship program as a way to funnel new business owners from incubation programs and popups into experienced local mentors covering planning, marketing and financials. Erin said she and other staff will list the program on MakeItWakefield and share outreach with the chamber, Rotary and real estate brokers.
Vacant‑storefront options: the committee also discussed revisiting a vacant‑storefront bylaw and agreed to invite Dan Leaper, the former bylaw‑committee chair, to provide background on what worked and what did not. Members reviewed other towns’ approaches that require registration and a marketing plan for buildings vacant beyond a set period, noting one town’s fine structure of $300 per day and debating whether fines, tax disincentives, waivable reporting requirements, or state incentives would be most effective.
Erin said she has applied for a Massachusetts vacant‑storefront tax credit that would provide state incentives to businesses moving into long‑vacant space and promised to update the group when she hears back. Committee members emphasized the need to pair any regulatory approach with outreach to property owners to understand barriers such as required tenant build‑outs or parking constraints.
Next steps: the committee agreed to invite Dan Leaper to a future meeting and to revisit the draft bylaw and examples from peer towns. The mentorship program will proceed to application development with staff and outreach plans; Erin will return to the committee with the application mechanism and recruitment status.
Votes at a glance: the motion to move forward with the small‑business mentorship program passed by roll call with recorded yes votes: Annne Hadley, Ben Dunovan, Rob Maguire, Dan Benjamin, Tanya Walker, Al Rosenthal and John.
