Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Edc Budget And Programs topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
EDC discusses seed budget, façade grant idea and welcome packet for new businesses
Summary
The Town of St John Economic Development Committee debated seeking a modest seed budget and discussed a potential matching façade/sign grant for local businesses; members also proposed a welcome packet to be distributed at building and planning to connect new businesses to town resources and the Chamber.
Committee members spent a significant portion of the July 8 meeting discussing organizational priorities, a possible small operational budget and ways to help existing and incoming businesses. The group reviewed a follow-up sheet of questions and discussed developing a mission statement and a five- to ten-year plan.
Several members proposed a façade/sign matching-grant program for existing businesses as a local incentive to improve storefronts, with example figures discussed in the meeting of $2,000 to $3,000 per business. A member described the idea as "a limit of $2,000 or $3,000" to assist with frontage or sign improvements; staff said they would check whether such a program exists and that the committee could present a project request to the town council. Members emphasized that matching programs often include stipulations to use in-town vendors to keep work local.
The committee also debated how much seed funding the EDC should request from the town. Suggestions in the discussion ranged from modest sums such as $10,000 to larger, unclear figures referenced in the transcript; attendees agreed to pursue a realistic, small start-up fund and to bring a formal request to the council during the upcoming budget cycle.
To improve business onboarding, members proposed creating a physical welcome packet to be placed at building & planning and the water department counters and included with permit and water-connection paperwork so new business owners receive chamber and EDC contact information early in the process. The committee agreed to draft a mock pamphlet for review at a future meeting.
A procedural question about the EDC liaison to the town council was raised; staff indicated no appointed council liaison currently and said the town manager often serves as the point of contact. The meeting concluded with routine reports, a ribbon-cutting announcement for Skin VIP Med Spa and a motion to adjourn.
