Town Of Willington
Economic Development Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of
February 27, 2012
Attendees: Kim Kowalyshyn, Chairman Walter Parsell
Jackie Silverstein Tom Treiber, Sec
Opened Meeting at 6:04 pm
Approval of Minutes:
Tom moved to approve the meeting minutes from January 23, 2012. Walt seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Old Business:
- Election of Commission Officers – Kim was nominated for Chairman and Tom was nominated for Secretary. Kim moved to accept the nominations. Walt seconded. The motion was passed unanimously.
- Business Directory – Kim has had conversations with Hayden Wilbur, the CEO of Atlantic Communications, regarding printing of the business directory. Wilbur advised Kim that as long as 40-50 Willington businesses buy advertisements in the directory, Atlantic Communications would print them at no cost. Wilbur told Kim that he would schedule a meeting with her shortly to go over details. Jackie is following up with another printing source to provide backup if negotiations with Atlantic Communications breakdown.
- Business Networking Meeting – The meeting is set for Wednesday, April 11 at 6:30 in the Library Community Room (reserved from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm). Jackie arranged for two great speakers – Roberta Dwyer from the Northeast CT Economic Alliance and Linda Riquier of CT Works. Kim prepared a write-up on the event for the Willington Word. Kim suggested that we also advertise it with e-blasts and strategically placed posters. The EDC will provide water, soft drinks and cookies as well as forms to enable attendees to sign up for the Business Directory. Tom agreed to pickup the key from the Library on the day of the meeting.
- Love’s Travel Center – The IWWC’s Public Hearing scheduled for February 13, 2012 was cancelled and rescheduled for March 13 at 7:30 pm in the upstairs Common Room. Again, we will all try to attend this meeting.
- 2012 EDC Budget – Kim will attend the BOF meeting on March 1, 2012.
New Business:
- New Business Activity and Contacts – Kim reported two contacts. She said that Tom Gotta was interested in bringing a Subway business in Willington. Gotta has not returned Kim’s call. She also spoke with two individuals interested in establishing a pre-distilled liquor bottling business to Willington. They were interested in knowing about any grants available to such a business or clusters of such businesses. Kim invited them to come to tonight’s meeting so we could discuss their proposed enterprise in more detail and determine how we could help. Unfortunately, they were not at the meeting.
- EDC Mission Statement – The draft EDC Mission Tom prepared using information from Willington’s Plan of Conservation and Development was discussed. Kim moved for approval. Jackie seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
- EDC Objectives – The draft objectives were reviewed. It was decided to focus on two of the draft objectives in 2012 - (1) Support the efforts of local businesses to thrive (This short and long term objective will be met in 2012 by developing a directory of Willington businesses and by hosting two business networking meetings) and (2) Create a database of available commercial/industrial sites to promote development.
- EDC Webpage – Kim will work on updating the webpage to include the following: our mission statement, upcoming events/projects (e.g. like the business networking meeting, and the opportunity to be included in the business directory by contacting the EDC). Kim asked Tom to work on the section promoting Willington as a place to start, relocate or expand a business. We also agreed that we would feature a business or businesses periodically on our website.
- Joint Meeting with BOS & P&Z – Kim said that the meeting might take place in March. She indicated that it is opportunity to share information and discuss ways to work together.
- Annual Report – Kim will prepare the report of EDC activities for the period July 2010 through June 2011.
- Regional Development – Tom reported on his conversation with Linda Painter, the Director of Planning and Development for the Town of Mansfield, regarding a $100,000 grant awarded to the Towns of Mansfield, Coventry and Tolland. The grant was for the hiring of a business development coordinator for one year to work on development projects. Painter said that it was too late for other Towns to participate.
Public Comment:
- No public present.
Ongoing Activities:
- We have one full seat and two alternate seats open. Walt will contact Eric Beebe (Willington Pest Control) and Kim will contact Joanne Capo (Curves) about joining EDC.
Meeting adjourned at 7:41pm. Next meeting to be held on March 26, 2012 at 6:00 pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Treiber
Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100
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