Economic development ideas include branding, promoting, incubating local businesses
/By Carol Britton Meyer
The economic development committee addressed a full agenda this week – with updates on the new business guide and inventory of Hull businesses and talked about the need for signage to help visitors find their way around town.
Other topics included pop-up business opportunities, the repurposing of town hall, and a possible landfill solar project, all of which are in the idea stage.
The EDC works in an advisory capacity, and most initiatives would require select board approval.
Chair Susan Vermilya has requested a meeting with the select board in the near future to present some of the EDC’s ideas and proposed projects to get members’ feedback.
EDC’s role clarified
At the beginning of Tuesday’s meeting, Vermilya clarified the committee’s role.
“We have some good things going on and are exploring different ideas as an advisory board for the town – doing research, developing ideas and making recommendations to support local businesses and to help strengthen the town’s economic health,” she said. “We can be the driver of positive change, but the committee doesn’t have any decision-making authority. [Our recommendations] would need to be adopted by the select board or another board.”
The master plan – once finalized – will drive some of the EDC’s work, Vermilya noted.
There has also been ongoing conversation among committee members about The Collective Co., a business incubator based in Scituate, and how such a business would be a good fit for Hull. According to its website, The Collective Co. is a local hub for “work, connection, and community on the South Shore” and a venue for gatherings, workshops, and events that “inspire creativity and connection,” along with providing meeting space.
“When we were talking about ways to fill some of the vacant spaces in Kenberma, the idea of a business incubator like this came up. With so many people now working remotely or running home-based businesses, a shared workspace offering offices, meeting areas, and other amenities could be a real asset to the community,” Vermilya told The Hull Times in response to a follow-up email.
Draft marketing and branding policy in the works
In other business, a meeting will be scheduled soon with the marketing and branding task force, which is developing a policy to be reviewed by EDC members and eventually the select board for consideration. The EDC is currently reviewing the materials.
The task force was created last year as a collaboration between the Hull Nantasket Chamber of Commerce and the EDC – with guidance and document creation led by a professional consultant. Members of both groups contributed throughout the process. The Chamber’s active participation helped drive the initiative forward.
The goal is to develop an official town policy that provides a unified framework for Hull’s branding and marketing efforts.
EDC member James Pitrolo gave an update on the business guide, which will walk new business owners in town through the permitting process.
“This will bring us one step closer to the town being business-friendly,” Vermilya said.
The committee also discussed the benefit of having more events in town.
“People can take the boat to the bus to the beach and back for a beautiful walk on a beautiful day,” EDC member and Chamber president Steven Greenberg said, noting that the town has the potential of attracting visitors year-round.
However, he said he has been told by the select board that events should be targeted “to the people of Hull,” in addition to promoting them in Hingham, Cohasset, and Scituate.
Inventory includes 45 businesses
Also in the works is a business inventory, including a list of 45 brick-and-mortar businesses in town and their email addresses to provide them with updates on upcoming meetings, events, and opportunities to provide input.
The idea of updating a map to help visitors become aware of where things are located was also floated, with Director of Community Development and Planning Chris DiIorio suggesting using a QR code posted on a kiosk that could lead to specials offered by local businesses and to a map of the area. Besides, he noted, “brochures blow away.”
In addition, Greenberg has reached out to the Paragon development team to invite a representative to attend an EDC meeting for an update, and for committee members – a number of whom are lifelong Hull residents – to share ideas about uses for the commercial space that is part of the mixed-use project.
The idea was also suggested that the town hall could be used for affordable housing once the staff currently situated there moves to the former Memorial Middle School.
EDC member Bartley Kelly reminded members that “the reuse of town hall goes back to the select board and town manager.”
EDC members also wondered if solar panels could be installed at the former landfill site, which has not been completely capped.
“You can’t build on top of a landfill, but you could potentially install solar panels there to reduce electric bills for the town or the townspeople. It could be a good investment,” Vermilya said, noting that the project is still in the exploratory phase.
Planning board member Cindy Borges suggested installing signage directing visitors to parking lots around town to avoid confusion, especially with so many ongoing construction projects.
“That’s a great idea,” Vermilya said.
“A lot can be done if there’s a strategy moving forward,” Greenberg said.
The next regular EDC meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, December 2.
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