Town Of Willington
Economic Development Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of
October 28, 2013
Attendees: Kim Kowalyshyn, Chairman Jackie Silverstein
Tom Treiber, Secretary
Opened Meeting at 6:12 PM
Approval of Minutes:
Kim moved to approve the meeting minutes from September 23, 2013. Tom T. seconded. The motion passed unanimously.
Old Business:
- Kim indicated that there was nothing new to report on Love’s Travel Center or Dunkin Donuts. The Hill Top Restaurant opened during the first week of October.
- EDC Finances – Kim reported that we still have $805 on hand.
- Business Networking Meeting – The next Business Networking Meeting is being rescheduled for April 2014. We are looking at April 9, 2014 (back-up date April 2). Tom T. will contact Beni about holding the event at the Hill Top Restaurant, appetizer menu and pricing. The session will be advertised as a “meet and greet” for Willington businesses and an opportunity to join the new Willington Business Association (WBA). We will send out invitations to all businesses with reply requested to get a head count. We will provide nametags and sign-up sheets. Other advertisement for the event will include emails, e-blasts, flyers, personal contact, and promotion on our website and in print media (e.g., The Willington Word, Journal Inquirer Calendar and Willimantic Chronicle
Calendar). Before the next meeting, each EDC member is to being asked to identify 4 or 5 business owners that might be willing to take a leadership position in the WBA. We will discuss possible candidates at the next meeting and identify those with whom EDC members should meet face-to-face. This WBA leadership structure can be in place at the time of the “meet and greet” to increase interest. Jackie will contact Dianne Bouchard about the scheduling change and her interest in taking a role in the WBA.
- Marketing & Promotion – Further discussion was tabled. We did, however, discuss a related project. Kim was creating an email directory for Willington businesses so that we could notify them of upcoming events without the cost of mailings. Jackie said that she would take over the project. Kim will transition it to Jackie. Kim also provided information on how to access the EDC mail.
- Process Mapping – Further discussion was tabled except for the following: Members are to review Welcome Packets provided at the last meeting and to email any zoning questions they have to other EDC members. We will then invite Susan Yorgensen to a future meeting so she can give us an overview on zones, zoning regulations, etc and answer the questions we have collected from members and any others that arise during the meeting.
- Diane Nadeau Invite – Diane is the President of the Windham Chamber of Commerce. At Tom B.’s invitation she will attend our next meeting (November 25, 2013). Kim will have Tom B. ask her to bring any information that she has on starting a business association.
- Cynthia van Zelm Invite – Cynthia is the Executive Director of Mansfield Downtown Partnership. She was invited to our December meeting, but cannot attend. She will be invited to a subsequent meeting to discuss ways to attract new businesses.
New Business:
- EDC Study. Kim indicated that the First Selectman, Christina Mailhos, wanted EDC input on her recommendation that the Town fund an economic development study like that done in Hebron. It would involve getting input from residents and current businesses regarding what types of businesses Willington should endeavor to attract. We concurred with Christina’s recommendation.
- New Business Activity and contacts – None.
- Correspondence – Kim received an email from a Hartford based broker looking for information on acreage (18-20) near I-84. Kim spoke with the broker, who said that she was representing an unnamed competitor of Love’s Travel Center and did not provide further information. She was invited to attend our meeting, but did not attend.
Public Comment:
Ongoing Activities:
- Commission Vacancies - We have two alternate seats open.
Meeting adjourned at 7:45 PM. Next meeting to be held on Monday November 25, 2013 at
6:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Treiber
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