Play 10 – Playbook for Morrisville

PLAY NUMBER TEN: Small Business Office for the Town of Morrisville.

My Message on Small Business Office for the Town of Morrisville

Over the past few weeks, as I have been getting around Town, I have noticed an increasing number of businesses and restaurants closing their doors. Most recently, Triangle Wine closed its doors, and the Cantina in Park West and Trali/Wings and Rings in Grace Park closed last year.

Many small businesses, particularly restaurants, need more guidance on how to access more federal Small Business Assistance, particularly the Restaurant Revitalization Fund. It is very hard to keep up with the changes to many of the Small Business Relief programs and I am getting calls from many small businesses who need more guidance on where to go to get more assistance.

In addition, our small business community needs a point of contact, on our staff, responsible for assisting them in the permitting process, so they can get up and running sooner than later.

Small Business Officer/Ombudsman
This office or position could be funded by the projected allocated $8.4 million of American Rescue Act dollars to the Town of Morrisville in this budget cycle. Staff is recommending a $1,045, 300 fund allocation to one-time expenditures, including a small business development program, and a fiscal recovery officer, who would help the Town manage and comply with the various ARPA planning tasks, record keeping, and related initiatives.

The proposed budget allocates $200,000 of ARP money to support direct outreach and support for small businesses. Goals of this program could include financial support and assistance through grants, incentives, and Town provided programs such as events, networking activities, marketing and communication support, and establishment/refinement of a business registry database of information to enhance regular and ongoing engagement with this segment of the community.

My play of the week is that we use these ARP dollars to establish a Small Business Officer in the Town, whose primary responsibility is to be a sole point of contact/resource for our small businesses. I have spoken about this position over the years, but cannot think of a better time than now for the creation of this Position. This position could also assist in developing a Start Up Incubation program, similar to the Hottovation Program which had been run by the Morrisville Chamber Innovation Program. The goal would be to provide resources and mentoring to support the growth of start up companies in Morrisville.

I am encouraged that our Town Administration has indicated that the Small Business Program could transform into an on going budgetary support program!

Let’s put this play in action and help our Small Businesses.