WG Chamber of Commerce Reminds Commissioners of 'Path to Success'

Jack Tarman, representing the at the Community Development meeting earlier this week, praised the township commissioners for their forward thinking in regards to redevelopment.

“There have been major, major steps taken by this board of commissioners, to move some of the issues forward,” Tarman said during the committee’s chamber of commerce redevelopment report. “And, you should be proud of that.”

He specifically praised the commissioners for the creation of the , whose primary task is to create a new revitalization plan to benefit the township’s overall economic development plan.

Tarman, who is a member of the task force, continued applauding the commissioners with their improvement on how the township treats the private sector. He noted that, within the last two years, the township’s plan-approval process has become reasonable.

“The township has demonstrated the ability and willingness to work with these people to get projects in here that are beneficial to the community, beneficial to the township, beneficial to the private sector,” he said.

He then added that more could be done.

 “I just want to point out that there are other things the township is capable of doing,” Tarman said, adding, “Not necessarily spending money.”

More can be Done

He suggested the township adopt a marketing plan utilizing multi-media packaging,  the strives the township has taken to promote economic growth.

The marketing plan would also appoint a commissioner as a liaison to the chamber, promote trade shows, seek advertisements, and create a stronger online presence.

He reminded the committee that such a recommendation can be found in the Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce report, titled “Willow Grove Redevelopment: Path to Success.”

The chamber submitted the report to the township on March 1, 2010.

In the lengthy report, Tarman specifically highlighted the sections between pages 21 – 30, which provides further suggestions to the township on furthering its relationship with the private sector.

And, while not specifically reviewing the highlighted pages with the committee, among the report’s suggestions are implementing a Local Economic Revitalization Tax Assistance (LERTA) tax abatement, which would provide tax exemptions for certain, “deteriorating industrial, commercial, retail or other business property.”

Another chamber suggestion explained how to reduce the business taxes by 20-percent over a certain period.

Give it to the Task Force

“I do believe it is more effective to take those items at the task force level because it involves the community,” Ward 4 commissioner and committee chairman Joe Lavalle said. “I believe that’s where most of the innovation, and most of the positive comments are coming from.”

Lavalle, who is also a member of the task force, noted that through the revitalization task force’s public meetings, many community members have been given the opportunity to voice concerns and comments on the direction of revitalization in Willow Grove.

“Personally, what I’m interested in, are what the community recommends and what the community’s interests are,” Lavalle said, added that such feedback would ultimately reach the full board of commissioners for consideration.

Tarman agreed that it would be a good idea, however, he noted that the community feedback events and analysis also involved the cost of consultants.

He said that the suggestions in the “Path to Success” report need not have such costs, just the will of the board to move forward.

Ward 1 commissioner Lisa Romaniello noted, during commissioners’ comments, that the commissioners have been aware of the chamber’s suggestions, but said that some information was missing.

She followed up her statement by suggesting that the chamber should also consider supporting and recommending a new façade and Main Street program, similar to the downtown area of Hatboro.

“We would love to see the local chamber support that type of business structure that you can see in other small towns around us,” Romaniello said.

Lavalle requested for Romaniello to send revitalization task force chairman Karen Houck her comments, for the task force consideration.

“There’s a willingness to take on other tasks and responsibilities in an advisory capacity, which has been fantastic,” Lavalle said of the task force.

At its creation, the Upper Moreland Revitalization Task Force was tasked with the creation of a new revitalization plan and the facilitation of a .

The Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce Redevelopment report is an ongoing report on the agenda.

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The Upper Moreland Revitalization Task Force will hold its second tonight at 6:30 p.m. in the .

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For more information, visit the Willow Grove Chamber of Commerce website.