Economic Development

City of Methuen Economic Development Committee Meeting Thursday, March 26, 2020, 5:30 PM Via Zoom Meeting Minutes 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL ○ Councilor Zeigler calls meeting to order 5:30 PM ○ Councilor Finocchiaro present, Councilor Dizoglio present, Director Buckley present, Councilor Zeigler present 2. ACCEPTANCE OF AGENDA ○ Councilor Zeigler takes motion to accept agenda ○ Motioned by Councilor Dizoglio, seconded by Councilor Finocchiaro ○ All in favor, agenda accepted 3. RESOURCES AND INITIATIVES TO SUPPORT BUSINESSES AMONG COVID-19 PROTOCOL ○ Director Buckley speaks of a memo put together for business resources, and the Small Business Administration’s Economic Injury Disaster Loan program, one business has already utilized a loan, link is on Methuen website ○ Director Buckley mentions Massachusetts Growth Capital Corporation has also put out a loan fund for small businesses, executive office of workforce development has additional resources ○ Director Buckley mentions local board of health and other agencies have cooperated well together since the start of the pandemic ○ Director Buckley directs anyone looking for specific business resources should visit the Methuen website ○ Councilor Zeigler mentions assistance is for non-profits as well ○ Councilor Zeigler mentions there is not currently a business listing of active businesses in Methuen ○ Councilor Zeigler mentions creating a business information spreadsheet including new hours of operation during the pandemic ○ Councilor Finocchiaro recommends supporting various local businesses and providing information on which businesses are essential ○ Councilor Dizoglio interested in a business directory, asks if there is a way to identify tax payers on commercial side to see if additional businesses need help in relation to employment, wants to identify local community lenders open to residential base ○ Director Buckley is confident they are able to identify these businesses and be available for resources. Many businesses turn to the state/federal government rather than the city, unable to adjust real estate taxes at city level ○ Councilor Dizoglio recommends utilizing as many local resources as they can before expanding into other resources, aims for new job opportunities as well as maintaining business viability in Methuen ○ Director Buckley wants to make sure they act as a conduit for residents and businesses, to assist them ○ Director Buckley refers to Andover’s recent business directory, agrees it is a good idea for informational/resourceful purposes ○ Councilor Zeigler reiterates importance of informing public of which businesses in Methuen are open during the pandemic as well as other potential information ○ Councilor Finocchiaro recommends getting feedback from the public through opportunities from the city, essential businesses are still struggling even if they are open ○ Councilor Zeigler agrees, hoping to gain useful insight from local businesses as to how to help them ○ Director Buckley mentions survey for small businesses that will address their struggles. Mass Growth Capital has been rolled into the Economic Injury program ○ Director Buckley in regular contact with Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce, as well as other economic development groups across Massachusetts that offer economic assistance to businesses  ○ Councilor Zeigler aims to have business form uploaded by the following week ○ Councilor Finocchiaro talks about unemployment and the link for Massachusetts unemployment benefits for COVID-19 ○ Councilor Zeigler mentions automatic enrollment for unemployment, no waiting period ○ Councilor Finocchiaro provides link for federal Small Business Administration disaster loan, deadline is December 18, 2020 ○ Councilor Dizoglio projects personal financial and other effects from pandemic ○ Director Buckley predicts to support CARES Act, he says it is a life saver for small businesses ○ Councilor Finocchiaro mentions Governor Baker providing administrative tax relief, poses the question of how to alleviate fees and taxes, or any projects or communities to support for certain policies ○ Director Buckley mentions these projects are mostly through the state ○ Councilor Finocchiaro asks how they can support businesses who are active in fighting the pandemic ○ Councilor Finocchiaro provides resources for the public to support small businesses by buying gift cards, ordering online, etc. ○ Councilor Zeigler mentions supporting an internship may not be feasible at the time, will divide business directory listings between committee members. ○ Councilor Zeigler mentions upcoming webinars for small business provided by the Merrimack Valley Chamber of Commerce 4. REQUESTS OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS ○ Councilor Finocchiaro addresses small business owners in Methuen, encourages seeking assistance immediately ○ Councilor Dizoglio asks if construction projects in Methuen are on hold ○ Director Buckley says construction is not halted, but potentially delayed for extraneous projects ○ Councilor Dizoglio asks why construction would be delayed  ○ Director Buckley believes this is in the hands of the state ○ Next meeting will be April 13, 2020, 5:30 PM, currently tentative date 5. ADJOURN ○ Councilor Zeigler motions to adjourn ○ Councilor Finocchiaro motions ○ Director Buckley seconds ○ All in favor, meeting adjourned 6:33 PM