03/26/1998 ECONOMIC DEV AND INDUSTRIAL COMMITTEE Minutes

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MINUTES MARCH 26, 1998 Fred DiMeco, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7 : 10 p.m. in Conference Room ##2 at Mashpee Town Hall . Present: Fred DiMeco, Peter Mulvey , Jack Hart Also: Wayne Duchemin, Wayne Taylor, Jane Taylor MINUTES: The Minutes of January 29 , 1998 were accepted as amended. Wayne D. stated there was no quorum and therefore no Minutes from the February meeting. John Renz gave a presentation that night. It was followed by a question and answer session. Fred D. and Wayne D. thanked each other for their work on the Bed and Breakfast Seminar which was held last Saturday. Wayne stated the cost for the seminar was under $1 ,000 . Five singles and two couples attended. Wayne D. plans to meet with the participants and take the next step. He plans to develop a B & B brochure. Fred D. noted that Falmouth brings in $400 , 000 in tax revenue from B & B' s . Fred D. stated that the Web Page is the marketing tool for B & B' s. „ A discussion ensued about the highlights from the Seminar. There is an established market out there: Willowbend, New Seabury , the clean-up crew for the military. Wayne stated that John Renz is working with someone to establish a hotel in Mashpee. Wayne did two press releases prior to the Seminar, and he plans to do one for the grand opening of "Sweet Retreats" this Saturday. Wayne plans to send out press releases every week. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COORDINATOR'S REPORT: Wayne D. stated the brochure will be ready for direct mailing in two weeks . It will be addressed to CEO' s in New Seabury and Willowbend (plus two dozen inquiries he received) . The cost to print and mail 2 ,000 brochures is under $1 ,000 . Wayne stated the Finance Committee reduced EDC' s expense budget request to $6 ,000 , and he made a presentation to them on the philosophy of economic development in Mashpee. Subsequently, the EDC expense budget was raised to $11 ,000 after hearing input from the Selectmen. There are people in Town who are against a full-time program. Wayne is looking for concrete numbers to show that economic development is positive.