Town Of Willington
Economic Development Commission Meeting
Meeting Minutes of
December 22, 2014
*Minutes are not official until approved at the next regular meeting.
Attendees: Kim Kowalyshyn Tom Treiber, Vice Chair/Secretary Jackie Silverstein, Chair
Tom Buccino
Opened Meeting at 6:36 PM
Public Present: John Blessington, Selectman, and Christina Mailhos, First Selectman, were present and participated in our meeting.
On a motion by Kim seconded by Tom T. the minutes from November 24, 2014 were approved.
New Business
- Correspondence/email – Kim reported correspondence and emails related to RFQ for Market Study that is covered later in the minutes.
Old Business:
Economic Development
- Dunkin Donuts – Tom T. said that he had spoken with realtor Ben Castonguay of Sentry Real Estate. Ben reported that the well had been drilled on the property. The water was tested and no contamination was found. Ben said that he expects the sale to the Dunkin Donuts franchisee to close next month.
- FedEx – no change
- Love’s Travel – no change
- New Business Activity and Contacts – See New Business.
2014 EDC Activities
- Business Directory Updates – Jackie provided the updated list. Members are to check items and get back to Kim with any changes. A Facebook notice and an e-blast from the Town will be used to ask businesses for email addresses that we don’t have. Jackie has divided businesses proportionately among members (refer to listing) and the final step will involve members making direct contact with business owners that have not provided an email addresses.
- Business Profiles – The Elegant Edge Hair Salon & Day Spa profile has been completed and will be reviewed with the owner prior to release.
- EDC Marketing & Promotion – ongoing
- EDC News/Newsletter- project cancelled.
- Facebook – ongoing. We will get an update next month from Adele Hall.
- Willington Market Study – The BOS approved the RFQ. It has been posted on Department of Administrative Services (ADS) website. Kim emailed Fairweather Consulting (FC). FC advised that they would be submitting their qualifications to perform the study.
2015 Goals
- Business Networking Meeting tentatively scheduled for April 29, 2015 at Hilltop.
- Process Mapping – Discussion tabled until February 2015 meeting.
Budget and Housekeeping
- EDC Finances - $711.40 on hand. Jackie went over proposed 2015-2016 budget. Members provided feedback including the fact that we need get a better estimate of EDC ‘s out of pocket cost for doing another Business Directory. Most of the money will be raised by selling ads to business owners. Also, Tom B. will ascertain the exact charge for renewing our membership in the Greater Windham Chamber of Commerce. Tom B. will invite Chamber CEO, Diane Nadeau, to our February 23, 2015 meeting to discuss getting the most out of our Chamber membership as well as her suggestions for training, etc for our businesses. Note that the QuickBooks training made available with assistance from the Chamber was a real success.
- Housekeeping – Jackie provided updated housekeeping information.
Meeting adjourned at 8:00 PM. Our next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on Monday January 26, 2015 at 6:30 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Tom Treiber
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