Town Of Willington
Economic Development Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of
November 25, 2013
*Minutes are not official until approved at the next regular meeting.
Attendees: Kim Kowalyshyn, Chairman Jackie Silverstein
Tom Treiber, Secretary
Opened Meeting at 6:18 PM
Approval of Minutes:
Jackie moved to approve the meeting minutes from September 23, 2013 after the correction of a typographical error. Kim seconded and the motion passed unanimously. The typographical error was in the section entitled “Business Networking Meeting”. Correction required the removal of the highlighted “to” in the following sentence: “Before the next meeting, each EDC member is to being asked to identify 4 or 5 business owners…”
Old Business:
- Tom T. reported that Planning-Zoning/Wetlands Agent, Susan Yorgensen, has met with Love’s Travel Center (LTC) personnel to clarify certain construction requirements. LTC plans to start construction in the spring. Dunkin Donuts may start construction this winter depending on the weather.
- EDC Finances – Kim reported that we still have $805 on hand.
- Business Networking Meeting – The next Business Networking Meeting is being rescheduled for April 9, 2014. Tom T. spoke with Beni and has reserved Hilltop Restaurant’s function room from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM for an estimated 30-50 guests. EDC will pay for appetizers. Guests will purchase their own drinks. 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 identified 10 businesses/business owners as those we would contact regarding their willingness to take a leadership role in the WBA. We will send a letter to each business or business owner to ascertain interest and then follow up with a face-to-face meeting.
- Marketing & Promotion – Nothing to report.
- Process Mapping – Our objective is to create a user-friendly process for obtaining business permits. We will begin the project early next year with a workshop(s).
- Diane Nadeau, President of the Windham Chamber of Commerce, was unable to attend the meeting. She will be invited to attend a meeting early next year. She will provide information on starting a business association.
- Cynthia van Zelm, Executive Director of Mansfield Downtown Partnership, will be invited to attend either our February or March 2014 meeting to discuss ways to attract new businesses.
- EDC Study - Kim provided copies of the economic study done in Hebron. She said that the study took about 6 months and cost about $15,000. We approved the CIP form that had been prepared.
New Business:
- New Chairman – Kim said that she could no longer serve as Chairman due to the demands of her Selectman position. Jackie and Tom T. agreed to serve as Co-Chairmen.
- New Business Activity and contacts – Tom B. provided information on the Small Business Express Program sponsored by the State of Connecticut that offers quick access to capital for small businesses. Also, there was an inquiry from the Sentinel Party asking the EDC to cite two achievable goals. We identified (1) launching a Willington Business Association and (2) creating a user-friendly process for obtaining business permits.
- Correspondence – None.
Public Comment:
- None present.
Ongoing Activities:
- Commission Vacancies - We have two alternate seats open.
Meeting adjourned at 8:22 PM. Our next meeting will be held on Monday December 16, 2013 at 6:00 PM at Willington Pizza.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Treiber
Board of Selectmen
860-487-3100
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