Economic Vitality Packet 3-17-21

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting Wednesday, March 17, 2021 7:30 a.m. via Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/96889574037 Meeting ID: 968 8957 4037 Welcome & introductions Agenda Minutes (February 2021) Public comments Executive Session • Item 1 • Item 2 • Item 3 Business Retention • USDA grant applications Business Recruitment • DE Black Chamber of Commerce • Pineapple Kale • Room 228 • Status: 33 West Loockerman; Unlock the Block initiative - 204 W. Loockerman • State Planning Office Coordination - DDD website update/launch of Dover Discussion on current vacancies • HUB Zone properties • Updates to parcel map, including HUB Zones in the downtown district high priority target area Parking committee update Other business Adjournment Next meeting date: Wednesday, March 17, 2021 Executive Session may be held at discretion of the Chair, Economic Vitality & Development Committee.

Topic: DDP Economic Vitality Time: Feb 17, 2021 07:30 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every month on the Third Wed, until Jul 21, 2021, 6 occurrence(s) Mar 17, 2021 07:30 AM Apr 21, 2021 07:30 AM May 19, 2021 07:30 AM Jun 16, 2021 07:30 AM Jul 21, 2021 07:30 AM Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/96889574037 Meeting ID: 968 8957 4037 Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Monthly: https://zoom.us/meeting/tJIlf- CtqT8qGdPYPSvlBaU06iCsj2J66F4y/ics?icsToken=98tyKuCupjMjH9ORsBqARow AGoqgXe_wtilfjadtpS_WFSxxYzamYOthIbgtOo6G One tap mobile +13017158592,,96889574037# US (Washington DC) +13126266799,,96889574037# US (Chicago) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) Meeting ID: 968 8957 4037 Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/aWbGAN6HI

Economic Vitality & Development Committee MINUTES February 17, 2021 – Online Zoom Meeting DRAFT MEETING OPEN: Approx. 7:30 a.m. via Zoom ATTENDANCE: Jonathan Street (chair), John Van Gorp, Dave Hugg, Charlie Rodriguez, Kim Adams, Mike Harrington, Joe McDaniel STAFF: Tina Bradbury, Diane Laird COMMITTEE CHAIRS, PRESENTERS AND OTHER ATTENDEES: Agenda and Meeting Minutes (January 2021 meeting): Motion duly made to approve agenda by Dave Hugg and seconded by Charlie Rodriguez. Motion duly made to approve January meeting minutes by Mike Harrington; seconded by John Van Gorp. Public Comments: None Business Retention: Overview of DDP New Businesses - Tina reported that Rebel Cove is moving along in the location formerly occupied by 33 West. The anticipated late March/early April opening may be delayed due to planning with the Division of Public Health and the ABC for liquor license transfer. She is working on the loan to grant application for $5,000 that was approved for Rebel Cove at last month’s meeting. Diane stated the Unlock the Block Committee with be able to provide additional funds. They are also seeking funds from the County that were set aside for small businesses. DDP received positive feedback from the Facebook media page. They are still deciding the name of the new restaurant, perhaps Rebel Cove at 33 West. Business Recruitment: Unlock the Block - Diane shared that more than one year ago this committee approved additional funds for Unlock the Block, of which $1,875 have not yet been dispensed. Those funds will go to Rebel Cove to assist them in marketing efforts. She was happy to report the lease agreement with Black Swamp Farmstead was signed. The fit out will begin at 204 W. Loockerman which has been vacant for seven plus years owned by Milford Housing Inc. (MHI). Black Swamp Farmstead participated in the Capital City Farmers Market, as did Rebel Cove and Sweets and Treats on S. Governors Ave. This is a huge win for DDP and Unlock the Block. The Brants, owner of Black Swamp Farmstead, are working with potentially 20 – 30 consigners to sell high-quality artisanal farm-to-table items and plan to provide demos/workshops that will allow participants to make their own items or learn Do It Yourself (DIY) techniques related to the artisanal products sold at the market. They hope to have these occasional late-night events until 7 PM. ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE MEETING February 17, 2021 Page 1

Economic Vitality & Development Committee 111 W. Loockerman – Mike Harrington announced DDP is losing Duck Creek Printing located in the 2,700 square foot retail space at the rear of 111 W. Loockerman. Although Mike offered free rent for six months, Don indicated he has had no business and simply cannot survive. Tina and Mike will work on marketing this now vacant space. HUB Zones - Kim Adams suggested we add HUB Zones to the parcel map to identify businesses located in these designated sections. Although there are not many in Dover, people are looking for that type of space. Kim provided a brief overview of the HUB Zone commercial and mixed-use businesses which have the Federal certifications to help with contracting. Generally located in underutilized business districts, these areas are shrinking, but if certified they can keep the designations for up to three years. Diane asked Kim to discuss more on this issue at the next meeting. Parcel Map Update - Diane shared the map to illustrate the colors that were added. Orange is for redevelopment opportunity, for example the Dover Interfaith Housing project and S. Governor’s Ave (old Acme). Green indicates the parcels are “ready for prospecting” e.g., Duncan Center, Loockerman Exchange, the Sears Building. Red indicates there are issues that prevent a building from moving forward for at least 18 months. Yellow indicates vacant, not ready for prospecting, conversations needed to move to green. Jonathan and Tina will collaborate to add a separate color for Parking lots. Other Initiatives Kim Adams provided an update on her properties. She is working on a remodel of 225 Loockerman which will house SUDS and Company (retail). They are also working on architecturals for the 3 bedroom/2 bath apartment above Tresses at 231 Loockerman. 215 Loockerman will be an extension of office space for Mountain Consulting. Needful Things has another 3 years on lease. The plan is for 103 to remain as the main headquarters for Mountain Consulting to include Human Resources, Administrative and Payroll. Office of State Planning Coordination (OSPC) – There was not an updated parcel map to show the projects completed and parcels available for Destination Downtown Dover (DDD). The on-going partnership with OSPC will be the second of 13 in the state. It is almost ready to launch. It will provide a “storybook” offering a new way to showcase and market projects and properties in downtown Dover. The Kent Economic Partnership website is fully active on-line with a site selector tool. It will also go on the Delaware Prosperity Partnership website which is statewide and visible to people around the country. Tina commented on the West End Site which currently houses the Dover Interfaith Housing. It was formerly a brownfield site. DDP would like to bring a concept like The Plant in Chicago. Tina spoke with Charlie to create a conceptual drawing. Diane noted the circular economy where one business feeds off - and provides for - another. Dave Hugg mentioned Wilmington’s Second Chances Farm project to include re-entry for formerly incarcerated persons. The group proposed that Charlie present more on this topic at the next meeting. Other business Jonathan spoke about the plan for N. West Street. The possible rezoning and land use change to open a German Style Beer Garden Eating establishment. There is a lot of community support for the project. The City Council must approve at the March 8 meeting. Adjournment Approx. 9:03: Motion duly made Joe McDaniel, seconded by John Van Gorp; approved unanimously. CMW/DJL ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE MEETING February 17, 2021 Page 2