Trumbull has opened the floor to its business people with a new council interested in capturing their ideas and putting them to use.
The Business Advisory Council is a volunteer enterprise formed by Trumbull”™s Economic Development Commission in order to get direct input from the business community on business-related efforts including fresh growth and business retention.
Deborah Evans Cox, director of economic development in Trumbull, said the newly formed advisory board is not a revamping of the town commission, but a completely separate advisory council that is not required to report to the town
“It allows us to have some firsthand thoughts and advice from the immediate business community,” said Cox. “It”™s been something we”™ve been talking about for a long time, we in economic development really wanted this.”
Co-chaired by Paul McNeil, general manager of the Trumbull Marriott, and Bob Matthews, head of the EDC, the Business Advisory Council has 12 members who began meeting in March to discuss activities in the town.
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The council currently meets on a bi-monthly basis.
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Besides McNeil, members include Jack Berg, High Ridge Management Resources; Jim Cannon, Mutual of Omaha; Karen DelVecchio, Bridgeport Regional Business Council; Steve Hodson, Hodson Realty; Garrett Sheehan, United Illuminating; Bruce Silverstone, Aquarion; Jim Somers, Peoples United; and Tom Williams, Coopers Surgical.
Martin Arnold serves on the council along with Matthews representing the EDC.
Arnold said a public-private partnerships is a proven effective strategy in helping to accomplish commercial development and retention goals.
Cox who also participates as a member of the group, said that the Council has already generated ideas that will aid economic development.
“It”™s also gives us some possible networking resources,” said Cox. “We have heard thoughts about marketing downtown. One great example already is a restaurant week.”
According to Cox, commencing this fall, the Westfield Trumbull Mall will be taking part in a $25 million interior renovation project with a completion date slated for Fall 2010.
Cox said that though the formation of the advisory council is not reactionary to the state of the economy, the economic state has undoubtedly sparked its forward movement and increased involvement.
“These businesses want to be out there taking part in this kind of thing,” said Cox. “They now can have some direct input into what we can do. The budget is always tight in every municipality, now we can take their ideas and put them to work. That”™s a resource that we might not have otherwise had.”
Cox said Trumbull”™s business and residential community feel a sense of optimism and unity and that it”™s a good time for those who work in, for and on behalf of the town. She hopes the council can help to bring businesses into Trumbull and foster a friendly business climate
“We are pleased that top flight business leaders have agreed to be part of the new Business Advisory Council, said Matthews. We look to them for not just understanding and oversight of EDC objectives, but also for input on how their organizations can assist with business retention and marketing and recruiting.”
