Economic Vitality Packet 3-19-25

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting March 19, 2025 8 a.m. Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/98017699516 (Over for additional Zoom info) AGENDA Join Zoom Meeting - info in header above and over Welcome Agenda Minutes (November 2024) Public comments Updates on Master Plan • Mobility Center between S. Bradford & S. Governor’s Ave. • Fire & Ice Festival and Open House at The Hive (28 W. Loockerman) https://FireAndIceDover.com • Open House to be held March 25, 2025 for 120 S. Governor’s Ave. new conceptuals • Groundbreaking of the Downtown Dover Mobility Center, S. Bradford St. (May date TBD) • Other current/emerging Updates from working groups 1. Critical Improvements Program (CIP) N/A 2. Site Readiness Updates 3. Unlock the Block • REAP (Retention Expansion Assistance Program) application • Recruitment strategies/incentives – consider new program 4. Marketing downtown Dover and redevelopment Other business Adjournment Next scheduled meeting – April 16, 2025 @ 8 a.m. via Zoom Agenda items as listed may not be considered in sequence. Pursuant to 29 DEL. C. 10004(e)(2), this agenda is subject to change to include the addition or deletion of items, including executive sessions, which arise at the time of the meeting. The Economic Vitality Committee rebuilds and diversifies the downtown Dover area's economy by implementing business retention, recruitment and expansion strategies, and making strategic property/building purchases and sales of DDP-owned properties.

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting March 19, 2025 8 a.m. Zoom: https://zoom.us/j/98017699516 (Over for additional Zoom info) Diane Laird is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: DDP Economic Vitality Meeting Monthly, third Wednesday, 08:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Every month on the Third Wed, until Jun 18, 2025, 6 occurrence(s) Changed occurrence(s): Jan 15, 2025 08:00 AM (updated) Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system. Monthly: https://zoom.us/meeting/tJwtdu6upzIvG9IfvicnRwRZGBAeU3b1bH- I/ics?icsToken=DCJnfMl89kJehwtCAgAALAAAALv2jy6r0llT_6qEOhOebAEFm6V_vXLwk36vNj0xUixSfqo FECpfTnY0SOZtHfOkCX8274r5IIae2QwnOTAwMDAwMQ&meetingMasterEventId=RE5n3vuzRq6XE33 WBNGGxg Join Zoom Meeting https://zoom.us/j/98017699516 Meeting ID: 980 1769 9516 One tap mobile +13092053325,,98017699516# US +13126266799,,98017699516# US (Chicago) The Economic Vitality Committee rebuilds and diversifies the downtown Dover area's economy by implementing business retention, recruitment and expansion strategies, and making strategic property/building purchases and sales of DDP-owned properties.

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting MINUTES November 20, 2024 Zoom at 8:00 am Attendance Members: Rick Ferrell (Chair), John Van Gorp, Mike Glick, Kim Adams Guests: Evie Zerefos (SBDC and small business owner/trainer), Dave Hugg (Dover City Manager) Staff: Diane Laird, Ken Anderson, Morgan Russum Meeting Overview - Agenda shared and confirmed. - Meeting recorded. Approval of Minutes - October's minutes reviewed. - Motion to approve minutes made and seconded. - Minutes approved without disagreement. Master Plan Update Ken provided updates on redevelopment properties: - Demolition of 684 Forest Avenue completed last week. - Remediation and demolition of 120 South Governor (old Acme site) finished last; site prepped for next phase with EDiS. - Progress on 148 and 150 South Bradford parcels. - 148 South Bradford tenant to move out Friday; remediation begins the following Monday. - Acquisition of 150 South Bradford to be completed by mid-December. The Hive Meeting Update - Successful meeting on October 23rd. - Meeting involved development partners and technical discussions on design. - Presentation to the Historic District Commission scheduled for December 19th. - Important meeting for design approval for the Planning Commission. - Public meeting at 3:00 PM; community invited to attend. ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE MEETING DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP 1

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting MINUTES November 20, 2024 Zoom at 8:00 am Critical Improvement Program Updates Diane reported on Critical Improvement Program applicants: - Critical Improvements Round Two presentation made to DDP board in October. - DDP board unanimously approved round two applicants. - Two applications in queue; one recommended for denial. Discussion about application recommended for denial: - Project on State Street involved unauthorized residential units in a commercial building. - Complications with city permitting and historical building restrictions noted. - Property owner requested funding for fire safety measures instead of sprinklers. - First floor residential occupancy is acceptable if set back with modified commercial space. - Zoning ordinance allows up to 25% first floor non-commercial use. - Current application appears to bypass approval process. - Complicated history and non-approvals led to recommendation for denial. - Committee voted to deny Robert Teta's application. - Motion to deny approved by Kim. - All committee members in favor. REAP Program Overview Diane provided an overview of the current REAP Program, offered suggestions on possibly increasing the amount of the grant, and discussed previous marketing efforts: - The REAP program supports existing businesses that may not fit CIP criteria. - Aims to assist businesses in expanding or retaining their operations. - Application is online for $2,000 grants. - The current $2,000 may not cover necessary costs for stabilization or expansion; possibly increase to $5,000. - Application process includes requirements for established businesses. - Must have operated for at least a year with proper financial documentation. - Participation of the Small Business Development Center in the process. - Requires a written business plan and advisement from technical assistance providers to ensure business readiness. ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE MEETING DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP 2

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting MINUTES November 20, 2024 Zoom at 8:00 am - Existing businesses can reapply if issues differ. - Review panel decides on applications, may include various partners. Committee Contributions and Discussion: 1) Marketing and Awareness - Program has not been marketed effectively recently. - Early marketing targeted struggling businesses. - Example: Otis Brooks received assistance after a fire affected his business. - Current awareness among business owners is limited. - Marketing efforts have been minimal over the past couple of years. - Initial marketing was done through Facebook. 2) Funding and Support - Need to ensure existing merchants feel supported. - Importance of balancing funding for new vs existing businesses. - Existing businesses can apply for multiple grants. - Example: Otis applied twice for different issues and received funding. -Suggestion to survey end users of programs to understand motivations for participation. - Data could assist in future applications. - Important for reporting back to granting sources. 3) User Feedback and Metrics - Suggestion to survey end users of the programs. - Understand reasons for their decisions and responses to programs. - Metrics are required for grants; monitoring is essential. - Need for quicker access to grants for small businesses. - Inquiry about applicants who did not apply or backed out. 4) Comparison with Other Programs - EDGE program offers larger amounts ($25,000 to $50,000). - E3 program provides up to $50,000 in-kind for marketing support. - Current REAP program is designed for quick, local support with lower funding amounts. - $2,000 is viewed as insufficient for meaningful expansion efforts. 5) Future Program Improvements - Need for a marketing campaign once new applications are defined. - Potential for additional funding is timely. - Discussion on revising application materials to reflect higher funding amounts. ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE MEETING DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP 3

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting MINUTES November 20, 2024 Zoom at 8:00 am - Suggested amount up to $5,000. 6) Application Review/Update - Proposal to revise the application and printed materials. - Aim to reflect a higher funding amount. - Group to review application and suggest recommendations before the next meeting. Program Proposal for New Businesses Diane proposed creating a new recruitment incentive program: - Potential grants of $5,000 to $7,000 for new leases on Loockerman St. - Could be part of lease negotiations. - Consider leveraging property owner resources before rental payments begin. - Encourages landlords to use tenant improvement allowances. - Potential for property owners to offer rent reduction for the first three months. - This could ease stabilization for businesses during their first year. - Proposal seen as beneficial for new businesses. - Total funding available for this program would be around $50,000 to $60,000. Applicant Eligibility - Applicants can be either businesses or landlords. - If landlords apply, they must have their business in the space they own. - The idea was proposed to introduce tenant improvement allowances to landlords. - This could make properties more attractive and facilitate lease negotiations. Discussion on Grant Utilization - There are many grants in the state with restricted uses. - Non-traditional uses like rent abatement distinguish this program. - Proposal to create a running list of potential funding metrics. - Example: debt restructuring for businesses with high credit card debt. Rick volunteered to begin drafting a recruitment incentive program to be presented at the next meeting. Meeting Schedule - Proposed canceling December meeting. - Initial thoughts indicate nothing pressing at the moment. ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE MEETING DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP 4

Economic Vitality Committee Meeting MINUTES November 20, 2024 Zoom at 8:00 am - Two additional applicants for critical improvements may need attention. - Recommendation to wait until January for the next meeting. - Consensus to wait until January for finalization. Upcoming Events - Mention of the 10th anniversary celebration of the Downtown Development District program. - Dover's application was the first submitted. - The governor and mayor will be attending. Meeting adjourned Next meeting – January 15 at 8:00 am ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE MEETING DOWNTOWN DOVER PARTNERSHIP 5