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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/11/2026 Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes for May 11, 2026 Location: Town Annex Building, Lower Level (4:00 P.M.) Present:Jack (Chairperson),Alexa (Town Board Liaison),Amanda, Brent, Brian, George, Jennifer Absent/Excused: Rich, Paul Call to Order: Chairperson Jack called the meeting to order. • Old Business Organizational/Documents-Jack will consolidate and present at next meeting. • New Business Jack asked for a vote from the committee of the top 3 items from the Comp Plan objectives that we should focus on going forward. Item 1.2 Develop Formal business retention and expansion plan through Town Government. See attached for vote tally. Amanda and Jenn proposed that we hold up the Synergy Summit until more progress on topics to report- Calendar, Incubator(what businesses need? Survey can provide), Beautification (funding?). Not a lot of movement on these projects. Motion proposed,all in favor. Jack presented a summary of EDC initiatives and accomplishments back to 2019. It provides a good picture of our accomplishments and potential thoughts for future activity. See attached corrected document. Idea of a survey for businesses concerns, ideas and helpful suggestions of what the needs are. It was suggested for this to be done bilingual in English and Sanish. Brian, Brent, George and Paul will work to compile the database. Brian will present a draft Survey to the Committee. Thanks to Amanda for taking notes at the last meeting. Adjournment: Meeting closed at 5:15 P.M Please Note -our next meeting on 7/13 will be held in the Supervisor's Conference room in Town Hall at 4PM. EDC Activities since 2019 • 2019 Bizchats. A networking effort that brought together business sectors to discuss their successes and difficulties. (Service and retail, Food, Beverage and Agriculture, Construction, Real Estate, Hospitality and Tourism). • 2020 Coordinated Stony Brook Small Business Zoom presentations at Cutchouge Library. 2021 Business survey focused on challenges facing businesses (Labor, regulations, sales, supplies). Internship project in 2022 and 2023. Unfortunately, we had a few successes but not on a large scale. Southold Forum - 2024, led to- o Synergy Summits 4/25, 7/25, 11/25 Calendar Retain youth, encourage trades Business Directory Communication and Collaboration Incubator Town Beautification WinterFest 2022 At least1200 attendees and many organizations/businesses participated. 2023 At least 2000 attendees and more organizations/businesses participated. 2024 Continued growth 2025 Continued growth 2026 Best year yet! EDC Goals and Objectives Voted By Strategy Goal 1 Encourage New and Facilitate the growth of existing business sectors that pursue stable and Sustainable employment. 1.2 Develop Formal Business Retention and Expansion Jenn, Brent, Amanda, Jack, Develop a Southold business database to facilitate surveys and Program through town government. Brian, Rich broad a mail social media access to all businesses in Southold. Surveys, BIZCHATS, EDC Forums with business owners. Meet with Fishers Island Community Board. 1.3 Strengthen job-training and workforce development Jack Expand Internship programs 1.4 support local businesses through creation of a Business Jenn Explore existing programs in other parts of LI, NYS. and Entrepreneurship Program 1.6 Work with local chambers to develop additional incentives Brent, George and programs to increase membership and active involvement Meetings in process. Link between NF Chamber Website and EDC. of local businesses Shared database of local businesses. Use of Constant Contact. 1.10 Continue to support the Arts through the provision of George Explore use of vacant buildings, temporary use of hotel facilities in live/work space in appropriate areas of town. slow season. Goal 2 Promote Economic Development that ensures an Adequate Tax Base Without Compromising the Unique Character of the Town. 2.2 Determine specific types of retail goods and services, if Jenn Review Leakage Analysis in Appendix, develop strategy. Topic for any, that should be actively sought out through a series of EDC Forum.ALSO INVOLVES ZONING MATTERS. public meetings held by town government. 2.3 Encourage a cluster of light industry uses at the area Brent EDC to bring to the attention of Planning. surrounding the North Fork Industrial Park and the Cutchogue Business Center within the boundaries of existing zoning. 2.4 Expand and Improve Infrastructure as appropriate, to serve Jenn,Amanda, Jack Preovide recommendation to Town Board. Obtain their buy existing businesses and accommodate new growth. in/support. Consider breaking this into manageable parcels such as- Hamlet center improvements, bike paths,walking trails, sidewalks. Infrastructure Projects, sewage,water, drainage. Use of shared services, sewers, snow removal, mailtenance, waste removal, purchasing. Ferry between FI and Southold. Goal 3 Preserve and Improve the Vitality of Each of the town's Hamlet Centers and HALO Zones as Walkable Local Business Districts. EDC Goals and Objectives Voted By Strategy 3.1 Concentrare new residential and commercial development Jenn, George Develop ways to reuse empty or underutilized property. Provide in the Town's hamlet centers and encourage infill incentives like tax breaks, expedited permitting and fee reduction. development,historic preservation, renovation, adaptive reuse where possible. 3.2 Prepare a list of priority development sites-specifically Amanda Determine what organization should drive this project. Doesn't seem within the Town's hamlet centers and HALO zones-that to be EDC. qualify for expedited permitting, funding and incentives. 3.4 Evaluate and update locations in each hamlet to ensure Rich The Board and The EDC Should etermine what organization should downtowns remain vibrant and uses are consistent with the drive this project. community character of individual hamlets.