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EDC weighs more proactive outreach to new businesses, balancing time and open-meeting rules
Summary
A public commenter urged the EDC to assign a member to welcome new businesses; members discussed a mix of scheduled outreach visits and informal drop-ins while noting Vermont open-meeting constraints and limited staff budget.
A public commenter, Stephanie, urged the Essex Economic Development Commission to create a formal outreach role to welcome and support newly established businesses.
"I had a new business recently, and I never heard of the economic development, you know, committee nor what you do for the business," Stephanie said, suggesting a committee member make initial visits, drop off a card and offer assistance. Tammy Gotchel acknowledged the idea but said the EDC currently has little discretionary funding: "I also do have 0 budget... I think right now, we are, like, at a slim $800," she said.
Members discussed continuing the 3rd-Thursday business outreach visits and supplementing them with informal drop-in visits by individual members. Concerns about workload and compliance with Vermont open-meeting law led staff to advise members to coordinate outreach through the chair to avoid creating a quorum in private communications. The commission agreed to pursue a mixed approach and to prepare outreach materials (business cards) for members to carry when they visit businesses informally.
