CONNEAUT —
More than 40 people attended a meeting designed to bridge a “disconnect” between business and city government Thursday evening at the Conneaut Human Resources Center.
The meeting was called by Ward 1 Councilman Doug Hedrick, chairman of City Council’s Economic Development Committee, in an attempt to increase communication and find ways to increase economic development.
“It is to all our benefit to work together,” Hedrick said while opening the meeting.
Business owners, civic leaders and government leaders joined together to hear presentations and bring suggestions to city government.
Three presentations were also made by county and city leaders.
Hattie Grubke-Barnard, project manager for Growth Partnership for Ashtabula County, explained the organization’s role in helping existing area businesses and seeking out new ones.
Shelly Mullen, a representative of New Entrepreneurial Opportunities Fund, explained the 18-month-old organization’s desire to help Ashtabula County small businesses get started and flourish.
“We are a source for small business support...We are banking the unbankable,” Mullen said of the revolving loan fund that helps people start small businesses after creating detailed business plans.
“We want to invest in individuals that want to lift the community (by running successful businesses),” she said.
Mullen said the organization has lent more than $200,000 to 10 businesses, most in Ashtabula Harbor and at least one in Conneaut. She said the organization hopes to lend a total of $1 million to 35 businesses by 2016.
City Manager Tim Eggleston also discussed possible resources for expanding or new businesses.
The meeting was then opened to the floor for suggestions.
“One of the things we want to know is what can we do to make it easier to do business in Conneaut,” Hedrick said.
Councilman Tim Udell said he was representing a business and also suggested the city develop a sequential list of what needs to occur for a business to become a reality.
Eggleston said just such a plan is in the works. “The staff has been working on a sheet to guide these individuals,” he said.
John Palo, a member of the Conneaut Port Authority, said the city needs to create a stronger economic development presence.
“I think you need to put some money into economic development,” Palo said.
Chris Brecht, a Conneaut businessman, suggested the city reach out to places like Raceway 7 that draw hundreds of people to the area.
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