Business, town try to bring each other into focus
More than 30 business owners, town officials and members of the public gathered early on Friday, May 14, at Bethlehem Town Hall with coffee in hand for what organizers hope will be the first of many Focus on Business Forums.
A joint venture between the town and Chamber of Commerce, the public meetings were envisioned to serve as a means to foster communication between businesses and town government`two elements of the town that are unlikely to survive without each other.
Chamber President Marty DeLaney said the meeting was a success, and a good starting point for an ongoing dialogue with members of the Town Board, all of whom were in attendance.
`They were listening and interested in what everybody had to say,` she said. `The Chamber board isn’t going to let it go… They obviously want to hear from us.`
Supervisor Sam Messina expressed similar thoughts following the roughly 90-minute meeting. It’s now up to participants to follow through on what was discussed, he said.
`We had to have this dialogue start between the Chamber and Town Board,` he said.
The meeting featured several presentations before a question and comment period. Town Director of Economic Development and Planning Michael Morelli brought attendees up to date on the town’s Delaware Avenue Hamlet Enhancement Study, which is roughly slated for a fall completion.
The main challenge to the group tasked with creating the report has been balancing the artery’s need to effectively move traffic with the desire to create a walkable, pedestrian-friendly `main street` atmosphere.
Having concrete guidelines in place for how businesses should look and be positioned is better than a nebulous idea, Morelli said.
`What they hate to do is come in and not have direction,` he said.
Also presenting was Tom Barone of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. He briefly outlined some of the grant opportunities available to small businesses.
William Herbert, of BBL Development Group, gave the meeting an update on development in the Vista Technology Park, and faced some pointed questions in regard to when shovels will actually be in the ground there.
He said as the economy warms back up, the tenants will be willing to commit money to developing the site, possibly later this year.
`It’s not out call, it’s our tenants’ call,` he said.
While it’s hoped large businesses will play an increasing role in town through Vista, most Chamber members consist of smaller operations with unique needs. Several business owners said while the town should work to attract more businesses, it should also ensure retail is diversified so services are not duplicated.
`If we keep bringing in retail businesses, the pie keeps getting smaller and smaller,` said James Giaccone, the owner of My Place restaurant and bar.
And while there was general agreement more could be done to show Bethlehem is business friendly, it was less clear how that would be accomplished, especially as the town does not have the funds to offer economic incentives.
`We can have a vision and try and implement it, but there’s a cost to everything,` said Councilman Kyle Kotary.
DeLaney mentioned an ongoing project with Jimapco to transfer the Chamber’s business directory into a map format, which would help interested developers understand where businesses might work.
Appearance notwithstanding, business owners who spoke said the town has been increasingly open to assisting businesses.
`We have a road map, we have the directions and we have a staff that’s responsive,` said realtor Jessica Richer. At the same time, there are only a few decent commercial centers in town for her business clients, she said.
`I have a hard time finding them locations. There isn’t a lot here,` said Richer.
Town and Chamber officials said they’d like to see another forum with focus on other areas of town. Quarterly meetings had previously been discussed.“
