Business Development Commission

Business Development Commission (BDC) MEETING MINUTES APPROVED MEETING DATE: Thursday, June 23, 2022 LOCATION: City Hall/Teleconference CALLED TO ORDER: 8:03 AM MEETING ADJOURNED: 8:59 AM NEXT REGULAR MEETING: Thursday, July 28, 2022 Name Present Absent Mike Pincus, Chair (Citizen at Large) X Pam Neihaus, Vice Chair (Citizen at Large) X Kara Bowlin (Citizen at Large) X Andrew Scavotto (Citizen at Large) X Ceci Bartels (Home-Based Business Owner) X Bud Bellomo (Chamber of Commerce) X Tim Delanty (Old Webster Rep) X Tammy Behm, (Commercial Business Owner) X Erbab Majeede (Commercial Business Owner) X Pam Bliss, Council Liaison X Eric Peterson, Staff Liaison X Also in Attendance Fran Sudekum – Administrative Support APPROVAL OF MINUTES • A motion to approve the May minutes was made by Bud Bellomo, and seconded by Tammy Behm, and unanimously approved. • A motion to approve the June 15th Special Meeting minutes with one correction was made by Tammy Behm, and seconded by Bud Bellomo, and unanimously approved. OLD BUSINESS Business Development Fund Recommendations Commission members discussed potential uses for the Business Development Fund of $100,000 of American Rescue Plan funds; a one-time fund which has to be used by 2026. Some of the items discussed included: • Business Staffing; All Age Groups - Getting and Keeping Employees o Job Fair o Online Job Bank/Board – “Work in Webster” (both people looking work and WG employers looking to hire) o Internships; Collaborations with Educational Institutions o Employer Summit; Ways to Attract Employees • Business Summit • Non-Staffing Education/Training Needs • Collaborations, Partnerships, Consultants Recommendation discussions need to continue. Items such as program design, process, eligibility, promotional and marketing needs all to need be part of developing the recommendation/s to City Council. Commission Members felt the City Job Bank idea was high on the list to pursue. Eric Peterson will discuss with staff and legal and suss out some logistics and present them at the next meeting so further discussion can take place. 1 of 2 Business “Bingo” Scavenger Hunt Update The event is scheduled to occur on Saturday, October 1st. The Jazz & Blues Fest organizers are open to the BDC having a booth at the event to kick off the event. Ceci Bartels and Pam Neihaus have not had any additional meetings. They will get together and have an update at the next meeting; all Commission Members are welcome to join Pam and Ceci. NEW BUSINESS Shop Local Message With the potential for economic changes on the horizon (or already here), Commission Members discussed the need to focus efforts to get out the “Shop Local” message. Some possible methods to do so were discussed; they included: • Year-round visual “Shop Local” imaging templates for businesses. • Conducting a purposeful marketing/campaign of the “Shop Local” message. • Promote and modernize our unique Webster Groves Gift Certificates (a.k.a. Webster Bucks). Implementing any of these ideas requires logistics to be defined and addressed. Commission Members will continue the discussion at the next meeting. BUSINESS DISTRICT UPDATES Old Webster Business District • The Summer Night Street Dance was a record-breaking success. • The Jazz & Blues Festival is set for September. • The Walktober Fest is set for October. • Trick or Treating will occur the Saturday prior to Halloween. Old Orchard Business District • The Gazebo Music Series is set for late summer and early fall. • Trick or Treating will occur the Saturday prior to Halloween. • Webster Arts will hold Artists’ Markets in Gazebo Park once a month August thru December. • There will be a Holiday Tree Lighting and caroling event on December 3rd. Crossroads Business District • Digital Strike will hold a charity Pickleball Tournament in August. They will shut down part of Gore and Kennilworth to hold the event. CITY & COUNCIL UPDATE • The May business license report is available on the City website. • City Council has passed the FY 2023 budget. • City Council is prioritizing next projects. Next Meeting – July 28, 8:00 AM 2 of 2