Town Of Willington
Economic Development Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of
February 24, 2014
*Minutes are not official until approved at the next regular meeting.
Attendees: Kim Kowalyshyn Jackie Silverstein, Co-Chair
Tom Treiber, Co-Chair/Secretary Tom Buccino
Ethan Griswold
Opened Meeting at 6:06 PM
Approval of Minutes:
Kim moved to approve the meeting minutes from January 27, 20014. Tom B. seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
Public Present:
- Mary Huda, Town Assessor, participated in discussion.
Old Business:
Guests – Gregory Lewis, an adviser with the Connecticut Small Business Development Center (SBDC), provided an overview of his organization and the many services offered to small business owners and startups at absolutely no cost. A small business is typically defined as one with 50 or less employees, but the Small Business Administration (SBA) includes those with up to
500 employees. Gregory said that he is one of the 12 advisers covering Connecticut. His territory is Northeast CT, but he said that the advisers have a collegial relationship and collaborate to maximize assistance to clients. The SBA and the State of CT fund the Connecticut SBDC program. Gregory indicated that the services offered include startup assistance to new businesses, business planning, growth strategies, financial analysis, market research, marketing and social media training, budget preparation and forecasting, international trade consulting, human resources consulting. As an example, he said that using just a business’s Profit and Loss Statement (P&L) and Balance Sheet and the powerful software available to the SBDC, he can compare the business to its peers in the region, state, nation and around the world. The software also enables him to discover issues that adversely affect the business. Gregory pointed out that if a business hired a consultant
the use of the software alone could cost thousands of dollars. Gregory said that we should encourage any town business experiencing problems to call him as soon as possible for assistance. He said that two potential pitfalls facing small businesses are underfunding and growing too fast.
Gregory left SBDC information and business cards that we will place at the Town Office Building. He said that he would be happy to speak at one of our business networking meetings
Future Guests - Cynthia van Zelm, Executive Director of Mansfield Downtown Partnership, will attend the March 24, 2014 meeting to discuss ways to attract new businesses and Susan Yorgensen, Willington Planning-Zoning/Wetland Agent, will attend our April 28th meeting to provide an overview of the of the permit process, land use classifications, etc.
Economic Development – Tom T. spoke with Planning-Zoning/Wetlands Agent, Susan Yorgensen. She advised that there is still a pending easement issue involving Dunkin Donuts. Love’s Travel Center (LTC) faces another public hearing in March regarding a regulation change. Mycoscience – nothing new re expansion and required zone change. FEDEX – nothing new on possible expansion. Willington Economic Development Study - CIP has approved funding for 2014-15. Mary Huda will supply a RFP template.
Projects
- Business Profiles – Willington Termite and Pest Control is now on our website. Baywood Kennels will be next.
- Marketing & Promotion – It was suggested that we use our website and the town website for marketing our events and what we are doing. Tom T. will arrange to have information on our meeting dates, etc to be placed on our website.
- Process Mapping – Susan Yorgensen has accepted the invitation to attend our April 28, 2014 meeting and provide an overview of the permit process, land use classifications, etc. This presentation will kick-off the project.
- Business Networking Meeting – The next Business Networking Meeting is scheduled for April 9, 2014. We have reserved Hilltop Restaurant’s function room from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Tom T. will reconfirm with Hilltop. We are now planning to have interactive presentations by (1) the Greater Windham Chamber of Commerce on the benefits of chamber membership and (2) Gregory Lewis of the Connecticut SBDC. Tom T. will contact Gregory Lewis to see if he is available. It was decided to postpone the presentation by the Clean Energy Finance and Investment Authority (CEFIA) on the C-PACE, clean energy opportunity for commercial buildings until the BOS has heard from CEFIA about the program. Tom B. will advise CEFIA and Kim will contact CEFIA to
schedule a meeting with the BOS. We will advertise the meeting via postcards (A Save the Date in February and a follow-up in March requiring an RSVP for a head count), e-blasts and The Willington Word. Jackie reviewed the Save the Date postcard that she had prepared. It was approved and postcards will be mailed this week to Willington businesses. Kim will arrange for a copy of the Save the Date postcard to appear on the EDC website.
- Ethan will look into whether the EDC can obtain telephone mailbox at the Town Office Building. Ethan also agreed to check the telephone mailbox on a regular basis if one is established and respond to callers.
Budget & Housekeeping
- EDC 2014 Budget Request has been submitted. Members will need to attend the Board of Finance Meeting on March 6, 2014 to support the submission.
- EDC Finances – We have $805 on hand
- Emails –none.
- Members encouraged Tom B. to accept re-appointment to the commission and he agreed.
- Commission vacancies – 2 alternate seats. Tom T. will follow-up with Eric Beebe to see if he is interested.
New Business:
- Correspondence – None
- New Business Activity and Contacts – None
- Greater Windham area Chamber of Commerce. Tom B. will follow-up with Diane
Nadeau for answers to several questions raised by members.
Meeting adjourned at 8:24 PM. Our next meeting will be held on Monday March 24, 2014 at 6:00 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Treiber
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