Fitzwilliam Economic Development Committee
May 4, 2011 7:00 p.m.—Minutes
Present:
Members: Craig Alley, Rebeckah Bullock, Tim Elkins, Joan Geary, Carl Hagstrom, Jim LaValley.
Alternate: Frank Bequeart
Welcome and Introductions:
Introductions were made by all Committee members present. The Board of Selectmen kicked off the meeting by describing the purpose for forming the Economic Development Committee, and then adjourned to their normal meeting.
Frank Bequeart provided some background on the Historic Fitzwilliam Economic Development Committee. He noted that they developed a directory of Fitzwilliam businesses and that they have a non-profit charter.
Tim Elkins commented on the usefulness of a business directory, noting the need to create an infrastructure that will allow for the dissemination of information about Fitzwilliam to the public. He noted that part of this effort would need to include an analysis of what aspects of Fitzwilliam should be marketed.
Frank Bequeart commented on the outdated nature of the Town websites and the need to update that information. Craig Alley agreed, adding that a calendar of events, making the Fitzwilliam Newsletter available online, or starting a Fitzwilliam Blog might be beneficial as well. Tim Elkins commented on the success of a Monadnock Group on Facebook, where users can post pictures from around the region. Tim Elkins pointed out that Facebook and similar online networking sites might help engage the younger members of the community. Jim LaValley agreed, emphasizing the benefits of reaching the younger members of the community.
Carl Hagstrom noted links between the Committee’s activities and other efforts underway in town. He pointed out the recent work on the Natural Resource Inventory, the Master Plan, and the Tomorrow by Design document. He pointed out that these documents may provide useful information for the Committee’s efforts.
The Committee then discussed the current economic situation in town. In discussing which businesses are leaving and coming to town, the Committee expressed the need to interview the business owners to determine what prompted their actions. The importance of infrastructure such as high speed internet in attracting businesses to town was discussed. Frank Bequeart suggested that the Committee get in touch with the Communications Committee to discuss this connection between the two efforts. Jim LaValley pointed out the benefit of working closely with other town boards and Committees including the Planning Board to avoid barriers and facilitate cooperation.
The Committee spent time brain-storming different methods of information collection and dissemination that might be undertaken. Some suggestions included a letter of introduction to local businesses from the Committee with a survey, collecting updated business information, performing a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) of the current economic conditions in town, making a list of vacant industrial/business properties in town, virtual tours of available buildings, looking into re-purposing existing buildings, compiling a list of service providers, assessing the Town websites for content, and investigating the use of a publishing platform for updating the websites.
The Committee spent a few minutes discussing the structure of the Committee and a meeting schedule. The Committee decided to meet on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. The Committee chose to postpone the selection of a chairman temporarily, to allow a natural leadership to form once the Committee members get to know each other better. Rebeckah Bullock agreed to record the meeting minutes for at least the first few meetings.
For the next meeting the Committee discussed interviewing RealPower, a business relocating to Fitzwilliam, as well as Park Construction which is closing. Jim LaValley agreed to compile a vacant property list. Craig Alley stated that he would work on a survey for local businesses with Joan Geary. Tim Elkins agreed to work on an examination of the Town websites.
Adjournment:
8:30 p.m.
Next meeting:
May 25, 2011.
Respectfully submitted,
Rebeckah Bullock
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