|
|
|
UPTS Business Retention & Expansion Plan(Third in a series of articles explaining UPTS' Strategic Plan) Susan Mathine and Connie Rochford head up the Business/Retention for UPTS. Their main focus is to keep the business' we have and attract more to fill the vacant buildings downtown. First they will identify Sumner's retail niche through a detailed retail research analysis. Ken Stone from the ISU Extension office has been contacted to determine the steps for Sumner to begin the analysis. The analysis will help Sumner to see exactly what people shop in town for and what goods customers drive out of town for. The action steps involved in this plan include: meeting with Sumner retailers to educate them on the benefits and costs of the survey. Also to determine a strategy for funding the study. The second objective in the business retention/expansion plan is to achieve 100% occupancy rate in downtown Sumner by beginning a recruitment plan by December 2003. Action steps for this objective include a building inventory of available retail/service space in the downtown. They will develop targets based on labor availability and existing business mix and gaps or leakage in the market. And, obtain testimonials from several current business owners. All of these things will be put into a recruitment packet to use to attract business to Sumner. Third objective is to improve the appearance of vacant storefronts and buildings in the downtown, by filling vacant windows with displays and information from various groups in the community. Objective four is to hold at least two special retail sales promotions and events annually to assist existing business'. Communication with local retailers will be accomplished by establishing a Retail-Merchant Group Subcommittee to set a schedule for the year.
|
