Economic Vitality Committee Agenda and Packet 2022 10 21

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LL Cityof ECONOMIC VITALITY COMMITTEE Louisville COLORADO -SINCE 1878 SUBJECT: DISCUSSION/DIRECTION- STRATEGIC PLAN ACTION #2-5: DEVELOP BUSINESS OUTREACH CAMPAIGNS THAT PROMOTE LOCAL BUSINESSES AND AVAILABLE SERVICES DATE: OCTOBER 21, 2022 PRESENTED BY: AUSTIN BROWN, ECONOMIC VITALITY SPECIALIST SUMMARY: The Economic Vitality Strategic Plan contains Action #2-5: "Develop business outreach campaigns that promote local businesses and available services." This is an ongoing Action. DISCUSSION: The EVC identified Action #2-5 as a priority during its September 16 meeting. Economic Vitality's current outreach efforts include a monthly Louisville Biz newsletter and periodic eblasts with relevant business information. This information is also included in Chamber of Commerce and Downtown Business Association newsletters and updates. Staff also recently completed the new business welcome packet, which is now circulated to new Louisville businesses. Louisville Biz newsletters typically contain local news, recent happenings and highlights of the local business community, policy and development updates, business support opportunities, and updates from Commuting Solutions and the Boulder Small Business Development Center. These newsletters are generally sent on the third Wednesday of each month. The September 2022 newsletter is included as Attachment #1. Time -sensitive updates that need to be sent out more frequently than the monthly newsletter, are prepared as email eblasts. Both eblasts and newsletters are sent to the Economic Vitality mailing list, which currently includes 942 subscribers. These campaigns typically see a 45% open rate. EV also recently began coordinating with Communications to include business updates in the citywide eNewsletters. Staff encourages businesses to submit their achievements for inclusion within the Louisville Biz newsletter, but does not typically receive much response. In the past, such as during Small Business Season and the Marshall Fire, EV has allowed businesses to submit their special sales, offerings, and promotions for inclusion on the City's website. Staff also curates information from Chamber of Commerce ribbon cuttings and Downtown Business Association events. EV has not previously used social media as a form of outreach but will have a conversation with Communications about potentially exploring a social media strategy. Staff suggests that these expanded efforts could also coordinate with this year's Small Business Saturday, which will take place on November 26. Agenda Packet P. 6