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Business advocate urges Ashland to adopt strategic plan to protect local merchants
Summary
Megan Hernandez told the board Ashland needs a strategic plan and code changes to prevent saturation of identical chain-style businesses and to preserve local economic resilience; she recommended working with the chamber and the Southern Boone Economic Development Council and adjusting the business-application process to prioritize long-term local stability.
Megan Hernandez addressed the Board of Aldermen during the public-comment period and urged officials to adopt a strategic approach to balance residential and business growth in Ashland.
"In order for our city of Ashland to continue going forward, we should consider a strategic plan to balance the growth and stability of both the residential and business population that is currently established and those looking in our joint market," Hernandez said. She argued that small towns have a finite amount of disposable income and that without local protections multiple similar businesses can dilute the market and harm existing merchants. Hernandez warned that without action "Ashland will become a corporate box of pass throughs."
Hernandez recommended starting outreach through the local chamber of commerce, a national government coalition and the Southern Boone Economic Development Council to gather feedback from existing businesses. She proposed changing the business-licensing and application process so that business review and community fit are considered earlier in the approval process rather than treated as an afterthought. Hernandez cited research she said shows locally owned businesses recirculate a larger share of spending in the community and framed her remarks as "pro stability, not anti business."
Board procedure: Hernandez offered to leave her prepared statement with staff (Darla) for distribution to the board. The transcript records no formal board action or vote on her proposal during this meeting.
Why it matters: Hernandez framed the issue as one of economic resilience and long-term community character, asking the board to consider ordinance or code adjustments and stakeholder engagement to prevent market saturation by identical businesses.
