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Economic Development Committee This Committee's Projects This committee meets the 2nd Monday of each month at 5:00 PM at Borough Hall located at 171 Bay Avenue, Highlands. Business recruitment/Retention is the foundation of this HBP Committee that will focus on promoting economic development of the commercial sector of Highlands. Underutilized properties, over 80 by the first review, in commercially zoned areas will be a priority for the committee to find strategies to recruit new businesses that compliment the existing business operations or encourage expansion of existing businesses. Identifying the range of issues that deter businesses from staying in Highlands is an equally important task for this committee to document. Finding the appropriate solutions to the issues that contribute to businesses leaving Highlands is important to maintaining a viable business environment. A continued vision for Highlands Commercial District will affect all the committees of HBP. The committee will use the existing Highlands Master Plan, Zoning Ordinances and Waterfront Revitalization Report to further define the vision for Highlands' Business sector. Creating a "Business Guide" to help the new business owner find their way through the maze of Borough regulations and finding methods to streamline the permit and review process. A goal to create a "turbo resolutions" process similar to Red Bank's permit and review process is planned. You can not invite new business and then have them find themselves in a hostile environment after they invest their money. Long range goals for establishing a water taxi/trolley linkage to create an inter-modal link with the water and NYC will be considered. In addition establishing a marina/with docking boat ramp facilities is a frequent topic for discussion and a challenging one for the business community to consider. Visual Improvement Committee This Committee's Projects This committee meets on the 3rd Monday of each month at 7:30 pm at the Borough Hall located at 171 Bay Avenue, Highlands. Parking, design, maintenance, beautification, and capital improvement are the "buzz words" that will be the hot topics for this committee. These business issues greatly affect the business environment and make or break how customers visit and want to return again to patronize our restaurants, bed and breakfast inns, retail shops, ferries and services. Two of the challenges for this committee will involve the development of improved and expanded parking that meets the needs of the businesses, and beautification or improvements to public areas. First impressions count for customers and visitors when they consider returning. What they see and perceive about their visit is important when they consider returning or sharing with friends. Challenges on how to promote attractive and clean storefronts promoting good design standards with incentive programs to spur more improvements will be considered. Some business operators want to see the streetscape continued and expanded while others stress flood prevention measures. We need to develop the issues and set priorities from the bottom up. If municipal regulations work well for the business community, the committee can support their effectiveness. If some regulations are not working, recommend new variations or changes. This process of exploring new options will ensure success for making a better business climate. Undoubtedly, this is one of the most important issues for Highlands' future development. Marketing & Communications Committee This Committee's Projects This committee meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 7:00 PM at the Borough Hall located at 171 Bay Avenue, Highlands. There is a special focus on advertising, image and destination marketing campaigns for this HBP Committee. Creating a regional consumer market plan and development of a calendar of promotions that will serve the entire business community will be explored. Emphasis on creating a strategy that promotes Highlands as a year round destination for goods, services and waterfront recreation. Expansion of the web site highlandsnj.com with additional live cams will provide cutting edge marketing tools for this HBP Committee. Updating of brochures, seasonal and year round promotional materials will all be considered by the committee. Most importantly, the communications between the business community will be developed and expanded through this committee. Establishing "Block Captains" to add to the communication chain will be considered. A newsletter communication to all owners and operators will be a priority to ensure that the business community is being served in everyone's best interests. Special Events, like the Clam Festival, create a destination for visitors and customers and promote Highlands as a place for activity, recreation and fun. The high volume of hits on the highlandsnj.com web site for this annual event reflects what an impact special events have on Highlands as a destination. Events put Highlands on the map as a point of destination along with the great tourist attraction of our neighbors - Twin Lights Historic Site and Gateway National Park at Sandy Hook. Event planning by this HBP Committee will work together with the Marketing and Communications Committee to balance the event with the needs of the business community at large. Expansion of events will draw more visitors and customers while at the same time creating moderate to substantial hardship on some businesses and residents. The Committee's focus is to include all members of the community for a successful expansion of event calendar.
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