Regular Meeting Minutes February 17, 2004
Meeting Opened at 7:15 P.M.
President opened meeting by introducing our guest speaker. Russ Denver
from the Affiliated Chamber of Commerce spoke about some of the programs
that have been developed to help generate interest in Springfield.
The Chamber is not a government agency but is supported by private donations.
Seventy-five percent of its members have less than twenty-five employees.
Mr. Denver outlined a few of the programs that the Chamber is currently involved
with or working on.
1) Business Improvement
2) One of the larger members, Mass Mutual has joined the City departments
and Mayor to assist in the reorganization of Springfield. The program
is called the Loan Executive Program and offers to loan employees to the
City to assist the Mayor. Sixty-six business have donated time and money
to Springfield School Systems.
2) Resolving Parking issues within the city to encourage more customers to
shop downtown businesses.
3) Financing smaller businesses with seed money.
3) Legislative and taxes that prevent new businesses from committing to Springfield
Current real estate tax is $34.30/ thousand and resident tax is $21.00/thousand
Denver stated that the business property tax is 28% but together, businesses
pay 40% of the real estate taxes.
Some additional activities of the Chamber include investigating the possibility
of neighborhoods taxing itself to improve its own district and policing activities.
When a business has a self-interest they will stand up, take notice of the
local area, and affect a change in the neighborhood.
For example, WMECO helped to coordinate the lighting with the Boston Road
Merchant Association during the holidays.
Other incentives to attract people to Springfield is that we do have a concentrated
pool of workers for manufactures and the highest number of trucking outlets
and offer Tax Increment Financing or TIFS and additional tax breaks. A total
of 26% of the land value in Springfield is tax-free.
Another encouragement is the issuing of Priority Pass Cards for discounts
in area businesses.
The Chamber has been asked to assist in the Restructure of the Greater Springfield
Entrepreneurial Fund for low interest loans to encourage business growth.
This request came as a result of the FBI shut down of the Fund due to questionable
disbursements of federal funds. The Chamber is also working with the Pioneer
Valley Transit Authority to develop Union Station.
Finally, in addition the Chamber holds networking events and salutes to local
merchants and business to encourage community ties.
Minutes read and accepted
Treasurer's Report balance as of today is $3,156.72
New Business
A staff member from State Representative Assilin's office was on hand to
speak about Greenleaf Park . The funds have been appropriated but are
not yet authorized for the renovations of the building and grounds.
Suggestion to appoint a few people to review area business and their contributions
for consideration of a Civic Award by this Association. A business name and
address list would be helpful for reviewing.
There was more discussion on the prospect of a Senior Center in Sixteen Acres,
Claudo is collecting signatures. Assilin's staff member offered
that there should be a five-year plan on file with the Mayor's Office that
includes the senior center. If not, the Senior Center needs to get
on the five-year plan list in order for consideration. It may be wiser
to consider a community center for all ages that includes a senior center.
Jean will begin to plan the annual picnic, please see her with any suggestions.
Next month our speaker is Kevin Noonan from the Open Pantry (reminder…please
continue to bring in canned food donations for the Open Pantry)
The Speakers for April is the Director of the Red Cross and Helen Caulton
Lewis will speak in May.
There is a new Boy Scout Troop at St. Catherine of Sienna. They are available
for Honor Guard and other ceremonies.
There will be a meetings scheduled for the By Law review Committee and also
the Library Committee.
Respectfully Submitted,
Karen F. Lee
Secretary