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
Economic Restructuring Committee meets the fourth Friday of the month at 8 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.
