The goal of the Economic Development Committee is to strengthen and broaden the economic base of downtown.
Objectives
Develop a business recruitment and retention plan
Activities:
- Ambassador program
- Personal Services Brochures
- Identify key business recruitment prospects
- Undertake market analysis:
- Work with partners (e.g. EDC, PBIA, City)
- Female Focus
- Retail sales tax data – work with Department of Revenue on getting information for the district; collect information from a sample of businesses and track over time
Develop a business education and assistance program
Activities:
- Breakfast business seminars (partner with Chamber, EDC, SBDC)
- Link to partners websites for information
- Promote National Trust Main Street Center’s webinars
Work with the city to identify and remove development obstacles
Activities:
- Review process and fees and identify potential barriers for projects (e.g. change of use fees)
- Review development regulations
- Review parking requirements/lack of adequate parking
Projects
- Market a positive image of downtown
- Revisit committee goals
- Continue with the successful Downtown Academy program
- Promote webinars
- Review development regulations
- Obtain retail sales tax data
- Continue partnering with PBIA
- Follow Shoreline Master Plan
- Be involved with the city’s comprehensive plan
- Employee parking
- Housing
- Art Space
- GIS map
- Link to partners websites
Goals:
- Obtain retail sales tax data
- Continue partnering with PBIA
- Dash – legislative
- Shoreline Master Program
- Comprehensive Plan
- Employee parking
- Housing
- Art Space
2013 Downtown Academy schedule:
The Downtown Academy is held from 8:30 am to 9:30 am at the New Caldonia Atrium unless otherwise indicated.
2013 Downtown Academy schedule:
The Downtown Academy is held from 8:30 am to 9:30 am at the New Caldonia Atrium unless otherwise indicated.
January 25
Guerilla marketing for 2013
February 22
Successful downtown renovations
March 22
Intercity Transit expansion update
April 26
City of Olympia staff will host the April Downtown Academy at City Hall providing updates on three downtown projects.
May 24
Tools for small business
June 28
Leadership topic
July
No meeting
August 23
Tourism
September 27
Social media
October 25
TBD
November 22
Historic preservation
December
No meeting
If you are interested in being on the email list for the Downtown Academy or if you have a suggestion for a Downtown Academy topic, email odaoffice@tss.net.
The Economic Development Committee meets the second Thursday of the month at 8:15 am in the New Caldonia Atrium (116 5th Ave SE). For more information contact the Economic Development Committee Chair: Kari Qvigstad, Qvigstad & Associates, (360) 584-8896.
