Farmington Economic Development Committee
Meeting Minutes
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Members Present: Paula Proulx, Silvia Arcouette, Barry Elliott, and Richard Stanley
Members Absent: Cindy Snowdon
Staff Present: Dan Merhalski, Planning Director
Paula Proulx called the meeting to order at 7:15 AM.
- Review Minutes of April 8, 2009
Sylvia Arcouette motioned to accept the minutes as amended, 2nd Barry Elliott. Motion carried with all in favor.
- Model for “Buy Local” Program.
Paula Proulx opened the discussion for the “Buy Local” Program.
Dan Merhalski reviewed handout with the Committee Members. Dan stated that the “Buy Local” Program is designed to establish local spending habits with the businesses of Farmington.
Also, to help lower the tax burden on residents and businesses Dan went through a list of goals.
- Generate Local Shopping patterns and stimulate the local economy by keeping Town residents’ dollars within the community.
- Assist local business owners in establishing market base and repeat customers through regular, planned, Town-wide business events.
- Encourage local residents to shop their local businesses in an attempt to help generate and/or retain jobs through local business successes, increase property values.
Dan also reviewed some ideas of project activities.
- Business Directory with all Participating Town Businesses
- Farmington Pledge / Buy Local Door / Counter Decals
- Farmington Pledge
- Buy Local Mailers
- Buy Local Coupons
- Coordinated Farmington Pledge / Buy Local Town Wide Weekend Sale Events
- Follow-up Mailer Coupons and Sale Events
Discussion -
Barry Elliot commented about the Town and School Board taking lead on this to purchase locally 1st. Barry also mentioned a program he is using now to promote return customers. This company is called “Promoters”. Cameron’s hands out a card to the customer. The customer goes to a website where answer a few questions to rate the service you received. You enter your email address and they give you a code, you write the code on the card, the next time you make a purchase from Cameron’s, present this card with the code and receive $5.00 off a $25.00 purchase. Barry said it allows two things; a repeat customer and you get feedback on what type of business you are providing. Barry is very please with this program and it has only been 2 weeks.
Barry commented that whatever program is used it has to be consistent, design something that would fit every business in the Town. Everyone has to agree.
Paula Proulx noted that the survey that has been taken, it showed that the businesses were open to something being done to help.
Sylvia Arcouette stated that Farmington downtown is not a shopping district. Most of the businesses are restaurants, Richard Stanley agreed.
Some ideas were tossed around on how to get customers into the businesses. Events to get people into town and then into the local businesses.
Dan Merhalski said that we would need to get together with the local businesses.
Richard Stanley noted that the Downtown Committee is trying to plan a meeting with the Downtown businesses. Richard said that we should use that time to meet with the local business; utilize this opportunity.
It was decided by the Committee that Richard would ask the Downtown Committee if they wanted to join forces on this. Richard will bring this up at the next meeting of 5/28/09 and bring back any ideas the Downtown Committee has. The Committee will review this further at the next EDC meeting, and come up with a plan to present this to the local businesses. Showing them how this will benefit them.
- Tax Increment Finances Districts (TIF)
Dan made a Power Point presentation for the proposed TIF District Program. Dan showed how the program works. Showed examples of other towns and how they used this program.
What does a TIF do? A TIF provides financing for public improvements (sewer, water, roads, etc) using new tax revenue created by new, expanded, or renovated commercial property in a TIF district, which is defined by the community. A TIF district can be undeveloped land, a Main Street district, the whole downtown, a few parcels – whatever the communities chooses.
Discussion –
Paula Proulx explained, that we must educate the Town/BOS about the importance of long term planning.
Barry Elliott commented that the Board of Selectmen has to commit to any project that is chosen, Paula agreed. Dan noted that the plan and the funding go hand in hand. You have to have the plan to get the TIF.
Paula also, asked Dan about grants; can TIF be used to get grants? Dan is checking on this. Paula asked about state grants being a match to TIF funds. Dan thinks we can.
The Committee agreed to make a presentation to the Board of Selectmen at the June 8, 2009 meeting, with the Survey Results, a punch-list, and at a later BOS meeting, present the TIF District Program to answer how this would be paid for.
The meeting was adjourned at 9:05 AM.
Respectfully Submitted,
Elaine Labrie
Planning & Code Enforcement Secretary
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