Kentwood Committees & Boards
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Minutes for 04/26/2011
MINUTES
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
April 26, 2011
Members Present: Zwarensteyn, Clanton, DeBruyn, Frederick; VanderHeide, Gabrielse, Gaffin
Members Absent: Brandt, Bartz with notification
Others Present: Lisa Golder, Economic Development Planner, Ken Malik, Wyoming Kentwood Chamber of Commerce; David Szidik, Wyoming-Kentwood Chamber of Commerce; Phil Tietz, Kentwood Deputy Finance Director; Tony DeLuccia, Woodland Mall
1. Financial Report:
Phil reviewed the financial report. He said that the loans are being paid on time, and that the M&D Leasing Loan is due this year. Lisa said M & D were thinking about reapplying and possibly expanding. There are two other potential applicants for loan funds.
The Commission will be taking action on the non-general fund as it relates to next years’ budget. He said there are only minor staffing changes proposed for the general fund budget. The Fire Department has applied for a grant to fund two firefighters for the next two years; the city would be required to fund the third year with no layoffs. It is uncertain whether the federal funding will remain.
Related to the Non General fund is the financing of the Economic Development Planner position. After discussion,
A motion was made by Clanton with support from Zwarensteyn, to approve the funding of the Economic Development Planner position for the 2011-2012 fiscal year.
--Motion Carried--
2. Approval of Minutes:
The EDC reviewed minutes from March, 2011. After discussion,
A motion was made by Frederick with support from Zwarensteyn, to approve the minutes of March 15, 2011.
--Motion Carried—
3. Dave Szidik, Presentation on Metro Cruise and how businesses can take use the event to improve business
Ken Malik introduced Dave Szidik who discussed with the EDC the benefits of the Metro Cruise for the business community. The 7th annual Metro Cruise is scheduled for August 26-27, 2011 and will take place basically along 28th Street in Kentwood and Wyoming, with potentially some related activities in Grandville and Cascade Township. He said that approximately 300,000 people attend the event. He is trying to communicate with businesses how they can take advantage of having this many people in the area. He said that in the past some of the merchants felt like it was a detriment to have the Metro Cruise there because their business was not automotive oriented. But many businesses are finding ways to take advantage of the situation and grow their business during this time. He listed ways for the EDC to become involved. The Wyoming DDA has sponsored the event to promote businesses in the DDA district. He said that there are events that are planned for the Kentwood area, such as Woodland Mall. A Sock Hop and pin up girl contest is proposed. There is also a judged car show and car corral proposed for Woodland Mall on Saturday. Other events in the area include a Nascar simulator, music, and other events. There will be a 1928 Model A Roadster on display. A sponsor would have their ad in the proposed 16 page brochure that would be distributed through the Advance and on line, so people would see it ahead of time. Anyone taking out an ad can link to their business website.
Gary said that one way that the EDC could help is to offset the cost of ads to help Kentwood businesses.
This was discussed in more detail.
Dave DeBruyn said that he has been to the Metro Cruise every year and there has not been that much of the activity in Kentwood. He suggested that they try to bring traffic further down 28th Street. There is not much incentive for businesses to advertise if there is no activity to draw the people to the locations in Kentwood.
Dave Szidik said that the difficulty is in getting enough funds and volunteers to expand the events to other locations. This is an area that the Kentwood residents can help. There are events planned for the Woodland area such as the sock hop, car corral and swap meet. The Metro Cruise is also working with Quaker Steak and Napa to bring people to this area.
There is a need for having people direct traffic the day of the event and direct people to restaurants and other activities.
Sponsorships need to be wrapped up by July 1.
Tony said that he is going to be attending a meeting regarding the events at the mall but nothing has been approved. Dave said that they are trying to organize the events and the venues. Tony said that the Metro Cruise weekend is generally an important weekend for the mall for back to school shopping.
The EDC will discuss this matter at their May meeting.
4. Post card program
Lisa reported that the businesses that have taken advantage of the postcard program have reported that it was successful. Both the Toy Shelf and Big Boy felt that the postcard program assisted with sales. Big Boy even re-printed the card two additional times; which gave the EDC additional exposure. Information has been provided to two other companies that may be interested in the program. Lisa asked whether this project should be continued into the next fiscal year.
A motion was made with support to continue the postcard program for the next fiscal year, with $10,000 limit of EDC participation.
--Motion Carried—
KCI, Inc. has been in touch with a restaurant on Broadmoor south of 29th Street. They have been in the city for a year, but may be interested in the postcard program. Sara from KCI asked whether this would qualify as a new business and would the EDC support the postcard program for them. The consensus was that the offer could be extended if the restaurant is interested in participating.
Richard Clanton indicated that at the Service Committee meeting of the City Commission, the Fire Department reports on how many newly-vacated businesses there are in the city. Last month there were 27 new vacancies. He said the EDC should have access to this information to look for trends or discuss potential ways to encourage new businesses in the city.
5. Woodland Mall report
Tony said that Woodland was holding its own. The year 2010 was a relatively good year, especially considering the economy. So far, this year has not been as good. There has been some preliminary interest with new tenants, but gas prices may have taken some discretionary funds away that could affect the potential for new tenants. JC Penny is completing a remodel. Sears may be repaving the parking lot. Projects that would help the mall with its image have included those projects that change the dated look of the exterior of the mall, such as Barnes and Noble, North Face, and the plaza. Also stores such as Apple that are unique to the area have been very successful.
Rick Gaffin reminded EDC members said that we should continue to invite our local legislators to EDC meetings.
The April meeting of the EDC was adjourned. The May meeting of the EDC is scheduled for May 17, 2011.