By Kim Siebert MacPhail
Adam Schwartz, a member of the board of Bedford Chamber of Commerce, presented the Chamber’s ideas for improving economic development in town to the Selectmen at their October 15 meeting.
“The Chamber has been talking a lot—as many other people have—about economic development,” Schwartz began. “The residential tax base [has taken a hit] because a lot of commercial office space is available… We want to talk a bit about how to leverage what’s going on with the Middlesex 3 Coalition project and make some recommendations at the local level. How can Bedford take advantage of what’s going on with Middlesex 3? And in doing that, maybe take a look at some other opportunities that come about outside of Middlesex 3.”
[To read The Citizen’s article about the Middlesex 3 initiative, visit: https://thebedfordcitizen.wordpress.com/2012/10/08/middlesex-3-coalition-seeks-development-of-regional-identity/ ]
In putting together the Chamber’s list of goals, members got feedback from businesses in town and from talking to commercial real estate developers and people who currently have businesses in Bedford, as well as others whose businesses have moved out of town and some who are thinking of coming back to town.
“We came up with some long-and short-term goals,” Schwartz explained. “The idea was, what are some quick things we can do— big bang-for-the-buck kind of things—that can get some things started and help with economic development and then what are some more, long-term strategic things.”
The Chamber’s goals, as distributed, are as follows:
Identifying a “point person” as Economic Development Coordinator as Billerica and Lexington have.
Short term:
- Actively pursue economic development. Work with Middlesex 3 coalition and Bedford Chamber.
- Provide the first point of contact (town ombudsman) for any business interested in moving to expand in Bedford.
- Promote Bedford as a great location for high tech and other companies. This involves working with local groups such as Massachusetts Innovation and Technology Exchange, The Massachusetts Biotechnology Council, Mass High Tech, Venture Capital Community, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, and more. This should also include expansion of the current bedfordisbusiness.com website.
- Facilitate community and economic development planning in order to identify and establish economic development opportunities with Town Departments.
Long Term:
- Identify, apply and secure grant funding for community and economic development improvement programs. This includes working with our state elected representatives to secure funding for economic objectives (for example, Burlington got state money to develop ThirdAvenue project.)
- Develop a strategic economic development plan for Bedford with specific objectives including bringing new businesses to Bedford. Resolve issue of who in Town Government is responsible for driving Economic Development.
Improve Town/Business Communications
Short Term:
- Ensure Town Officials interface with businesses, commercial real estate brokers, developers to gain a better understanding of what drives business location and how Bedford can improve its reputation in attracting businesses. For example, monthly informal sessions with business leaders.
- Talk to other towns that are regarded as being responsive in attracting businesses. Learn best practices and implement.
- Create a business development committee whose focus is to attract businesses.
- Have Town Manager host virtual office hours (via Twitter or other means) where businesses can ask questions, discuss issues—make the town more responsive and transparent.
- Continue to have Town Officials talk to our current businesses to see what made them come, what makes them stay, what do they need from the town. Expand on existing program.
Long Term:
- Develop a 3-1-1 service (and online/smartphone apps) where individuals can report issues to town (for example “large pothole on Crosby Drive”). Enables businesses to be treated as valued customers.
Improve Business Environment—Zoning/Planning Priorities
Long term:
- Establish Economic Development Zone.
- Develop a simplified permitting process for small businesses.
- Provide one-stop shopping for permitting, to help companies understand the process and reduce permitting time. Develop clear standards so applicants understand what’s required and expected of them and limit the permitting process to 90 days.
Looking at the Chamber’s list of goals, Selectman Mike Rosenberg asked, “One question comes to mind immediately that I think might be helpful to address in the context of other things that come up. Part 1 C says ‘Promote Bedford as a great location for high tech and other companies.’ How do you do that without undermining the regional initiative of Middlesex 3? If all five communities do that, then what happens to the regional initiative?”
Schwartz responded, “I think they are a little bit separate. It’s really about what’s unique about Bedford. We’re not saying that Bedford is the only place to go but [instead] what does Bedford offer [that might suit your company better than other locations.] There are differences. We’re not looking to compete with the regional development but talk about why Bedford is unique and great. We’re working within the confines of that coalition—supplementing that, not trying to replace it.”
Rosenberg then asked Schwartz whether there should be more of a focus on bringing retail business into Bedford.
“If I take a look at some of the numbers, there aren’t a lot of retail vacancies,” Schwartz said. “The glaring point that comes up is all the vacant space on Crosby Drive. There does seem to be retail interest—Chipotle and Panera are coming in. The retail spaces don’t seem to stay vacant for long.”
Chairman Cordes said Schwartz’s presentation provided a lot to absorb but that some of the items on the Chamber’s list were things the Selectmen had discussed in the past.
“We just wanted to get some of these ideas out and get the juices flowing,” Schwartz said.
Rosenberg requested that the Chamber’s goals be placed on the Selectmen’s agenda for future discussion so that the valuable ideas can be more thoroughly discussed.
“From time to time, I’ve wondered whether it was possible to create a Business Development Committee, “Rosenberg added. “That one simple task has a lot of positive implications…I want to make sure we give these points a fair hearing.”
Loading ...
