The trust plans to fund these efforts through grant applications, membership fees, and partnerships with businesses and individuals. The commissioners showed unanimous support for the trust’s goals, recognizing the importance of preserving land for future generations and expressing interest in future collaborations.

The second annual Open Farm Day, scheduled for August 18th, was another significant topic, with the Agriculture Commission inviting the Economic Development Commission to co-sponsor the event. Following the success of the previous year’s event, which saw high attendance, the commissioners voted to co-sponsor the upcoming day. The event is planned to feature eight farms with varying visiting hours to accommodate guests and volunteers.

Additionally, the commission addressed the success of Common Capital, a small business lender that has been effective in providing loans to businesses, focusing on character lending rather than traditional credit-based lending. Common Capital also offers coaching and business plan advice, which the commission found to be educational and beneficial to the community’s needs. The commission recognized the importance of supporting small businesses, especially those owned by women and minorities, and expressed a keen interest in featuring Common Capital’s resources on the town’s website.

Discussions further delved into the promotion of local businesses through a directory and flyer distribution at the upcoming town meeting. A proposal was made to include a map highlighting recreational destinations and local businesses on the commission’s website. The incorporation of Google Analytics into the commission’s website to gauge user engagement was also proposed.

The commission also considered the creation of a business association, an alternative to a traditional chamber of commerce, to provide resources and networking opportunities for local businesses. The potential for hosting forums with state representatives and organizations like Common Capital was also discussed, highlighting the commission’s dedication to offering comprehensive business support.

The meeting addressed the resignation of a commission member and discussed the need for filling the vacancy as well as renewing new applicants. The importance of community involvement was underscored with initiatives such as seeking volunteers for Open Farm Day, with a specific call for teenage participation, and the need for regular communication with businesses through monthly updates.

The commission’s efforts to enhance the town’s economic development are further reflected in the launch of Southwick’s new website and directory, including discussions on tutorial creation to aid in navigation and the benefits of volunteer labor to manage costs. The commission acknowledged the need for additional community input and familiarization with these online tools to effectively promote them.

The progress of including businesses in the directory was noted, with positive feedback from participating establishments, although some businesses have yet to engage with the initiative. The commission explored options to address vacant retail properties and the creation of a Facebook page to promote events and engage the community. Discussions also touched on the feasibility of implementing measures to make the town more user-friendly, like additional crosswalks and speed limit modifications.