With the local economy on the rebound, Brunswick officials and entrepreneurs say the time is right to position the city for redevelopment and new growth.
The city certainly isn’t running short on ideas.
Brunswick Commissioner Johnny Cason in February suggested the city gather presentations from firms knowledgeable of the retail industry to assist the city with attracting new business. While that request garnered two official responses, it also piqued the interest of local entrepreneurs who are willing to help boost the city’s redevelopment.
In back-to-back proposals to the City Commission last week, St. Simons Island resident Ervin Williams of World Business Enterprises, and Brunswick resident Gary Cross of the Coastal Business Center suggested city officials move further ahead with prepping the city for development.
Williams said the best place to start is downtown. He proposed stepping up collaborations with the College of Coastal Georgia, and fostering creative business models to fill empty storefronts downtown. Once downtown begins to thrive, he said, the city would move on to the next level of entrepreneurial stimulation.
The best businesses to attract at the moment, Williams added, are those associated with knowledge and technology.
“My research shows there’s really been no new growth in the city or the county for the past few years,” Williams told the commission at its meeting Aug. 6. “Retail is gone to the shopping centers and malls, and it’s never going to return in the traditional way. But you’ve got competent people in this area. There are a lot of possibilities, and we’re excited about what we could do to help the city.”
From his own Bay Street location, Cross, who operates a micro business incubator, said he’s seen opportunities open up for local entrepreneurs willing to get creative. These days, Cross said, it’s almost easier to start a small business than it is to find employment elsewhere. Brunswick certainly has opportunities available for those willing to grab them.
“The whole idea is to be creative and look for new opportunities,” he said. “We’re providing tips and resources so that when people go into business, they can establish sustainability. This is the time for micro business development here in Brunswick. I foresee a wave of activity within the next three or five years.”
While Cross had initially proposed that the city commission develop a revolving loan fund using revenue from the sale of the Norwich Commons property, Cason said that money is earmarked for infrastructure.
There are, however, other opportunities for small businesses in town, Downtown Development Authority Director Mathew Hill said Friday. The DDA offers a downtown revolving loan fund, available mainly for property acquisition. There is also a low-interest loan pool for the downtown area that provides funding for building acquisition or rehabilitation. That pool has a 4 percent interest rate, Hill said.
The downtown development authority director said there has been an uptick in interest in the city’s offerings for entrepreneurs of late.
“I think things are picking up. We’re out of the downturn, and things are getting back to where people are looking again,” Hill said. “I’ve certainly had more people calling or stopping by to talk about moving a business downtown than I have in the last couple of years.”
Cason said he’s encouraged by the dialogue he’s heard in the commission chambers lately. The presentations by Williams and Cross shows the city has resources at its disposal, and Cason said it’s looking promising.
“Some of these ideas are really great,” added Brunswick Mayor Cornell Harvey. “People are getting engaged with the city government. We want their help, and we’ll listen to all ideas.”
The Brunswick News
KELLY QUIMBY
File photo, The Brunswick News