Economic Development

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 So, you’ll often hear candidates say, “We need to increase economic development” or “We need to attract new business here.” But that’s where they stop—no ideas, no plan.

Having owned my own businesses for 30 years, mainly in sales and marketing, I know one thing: you can’t sit back and hope business comes to you.

Millville doesn’t currently have an experienced, dedicated, professional Economic Development Manager (EDM). What does an EDM do? They don’t sit behind a desk waiting for companies to call. They proactively go out and find businesses looking to expand. They gather business intelligence, network aggressively, and take advantage of lead generation tools. They build relationships with decision-makers in the business world. There are databases listing companies nationwide planning to expand. Right now, Millville doesn’t tap into those resources, let alone actively reach out. An EDM markets the city as a serious destination for investment.

Yes, hiring this person costs money—but it’s an investment that pays for itself. We’ve all heard the saying, “You need to spend money to make money,” and this is exactly that.

Millville also needs a dedicated business portal website that guides new businesses step by step through the process of opening in Millville. It should include every piece of land and building available—both city-owned and private—for sale or rent. It should walk business owners through the permitting process, streamline approvals, and highlight available grants and incentives. The goal: make Millville an easy, attractive place to do business.

Here’s my plan for boosting Millville’s economic future:

1. Tackle crime so new businesses aren’t scared away.

2. Hire an experienced Economic Development Manager whose sole focus is to recruit companies nationwide and bring them here.

3. Make Millville business-friendly. Stop letting personalities or grudges block smart development. Past commissioners lacked real business experience and couldn’t build relationships with developers. That’s a specialized skill—we need it.

3. Retain the businesses we already have. Fight crime, eliminate panhandling in business districts, and provide support for the homeless so current businesses can thrive.

4. Create a Special Improvement District (SID) on High Street. Funds from the SID would pay for a dedicated police officer to keep the area safe and welcoming.

5. Launch “www.MillvilleMeansBusiness.org.”
This site will market the city directly to the business world.

These steps would go a long way toward creating a stronger business climate and improving Millville’s economic health.