What is economic development? There is a multitude of ideas, policies, and definitions. How and why is it essential to our community of businesses, residents, homeowners, renters, and employees?
At the December 8 Council meeting, the Vice Mayor presented an action item to create a committee to “…sustain and develop the economies of our Town while keeping our community livable as our hometown.” The two reasons stated for the need of this Economic Development Committee were: 1. an active forum for research and dialogue to develop and make recommendations, and take actions on, community/economic development issues, and 2. convened by the Town, but giving a meaningful voice to businesses, residents, the Chamber of Commerce and Town Council (assisted by Town Staff).
This Economic Development Committee had the potential to be yet another example of “death by committee.” Thankfully, everything mentioned is already in place and happening in Yountville.
Having served on enough committees, I have seen the ineffectiveness of what happens when you don’t have clear goals, also when a committee does not have the authority to make things happen, and a lack of leadership to take the committee towards its goals. As with most meetings today, we should ask, “What was the point?” When it comes to the participation list, small-scale is definitely better. Lay out the ground rules and the work needed to complete the project. What are different ways to have people participate?
While participating in a mix of community activities over the past few weeks, I can attest economic development is taking place, and the questions are being handled actively all around us.
Leading the way, we have a very active Chamber in our community comprised of businesses and individuals. You can participate with our Chamber as a Yountville resident through their Associate Membership. Being an Associate Member is an opportunity for advocacy and civic involvement. The Chamber has a monthly all-members meeting attended last week by over 65 businesses and individuals. The agenda was a mix of health information, County information, and business updates. The Chamber has a Job Fair next month with multiple seminars in 2022 for business development. Local’s Day is back!
The Chamber, acting as a strong presence, both as direct support for local business and as a destination marketing organization (DMO), gives it a unique position in our community. They are working directly with our local businesses and community while, at the same time, looking beyond our Town boundaries for destination marketing. The structure of the Chamber makes it accessible on many levels, whether it be the CEO or the volunteers. Our volunteers, made of residents from our community, are known for their knowledge and insight. Learn more about the Chamber. Many opportunities are present for the community to participate as a business or as a resident with the Chamber.
The Town of Yountville has what is renamed the Economic Recovery Program. What was first initiated as a program to assist businesses with COVID-related operations became a template for other municipalities in the County. The Economic Recovery Program has now transitioned into a guideline to frame the discussion of what programs should stay or be extended. The question is, “what has worked?” How can the Town government, with its Use Permits and zoning, look at these businesses in a new way based on the experiences of the past 30 months? Very soon, our Council will be discussing this topic with businesses that are now seeking extensions and changes to their Use Permits to make many of these changes permanent. All these discussions between the Town and businesses will happen in a public forum.
This conversation has been happening for over 24 months at the Town Council level. There has been public and business input and the Council will continue this conversation this new year. There will definitely be conversation once there are five Council members. Again, the community of residents has an opportunity to be a part of the conversation, as with all Council agenda items. How can you be prepared? Sign up for e-notifications on the Town of Yountville website. These emails will keep you in the loop, and you can ensure you are part of the conversation.
Have you been to the business pop-ups at Jessup Cellars? What a great idea generated from a local business to work with Yountville artists and at-home businesses. This pop-up, which continues, results from the interaction and communication of community members with a local business: perfect opportunity and example of business and resident collaboration.
We can all be (cautiously) optimistic about the information we have read from the new owner of V Marketplace. These are forward-thinking ideas and plans from an individual who wants to be invested in our community. He has been a part of our community for some time. He has already started reaching out, having conversations, meeting with members of our community; Town, Chamber, residents, and business owners.
All of these activities are furthering economic development. There is indeed a voice of businesses, residents, Chamber of Commerce, Town Council, and Town staff.
Do we need to add another layer to everything that I have mentioned? Of course not.
Is there more work to be done? Always. So, we need to develop relationships throughout our community to further work with the current processes. We need to ensure that our attendance is productive for our goals and get serious about our participation and expectations. We need to put in the work, too. There is a place at the table in our community for those who want to participate in economic development. Will we all agree? Nope, and at the same time, we can all learn and build a future for Yountville.