I recently turned in my formal resignation for the Economic Development Commission (EDC). I did this mainly because the EDC, which was barely functional for much of its existence, is finally meeting again. I've long thought my time was better spent covering the EDC than actually participating, so while I'll be at the next meeting, I'll be in the audience.

There's a reason people seemed to sigh with pity and say things like, "Good luck with that," when I told them I was on the EDC. In advance of the May 28, 2025, meeting, I thought it was worth laying out some of the issues I think the EDC will have to tackle if it's successful.:

1. Achieving a quorum. I've been to many meetings in this town, and the EDC meetings are the only ones I've ever seen fail to establish a quorum. It happened a lot. Check the minutes to see just how often this was a problem.

2. Establishing a committed membership of diverse interests from across town. Right now, the membership consists of many familiar names and business owners. There's nothing wrong with that, but owning a business is time-consuming (see problem #1), and it doesn't make you an expert on economic development (more on that later). More to the point, not all businesses have the same struggles. Many businesses in small towns like Stafford thrive on foot traffic and tourism, but none of the companies owned by EDC members fall into that category. We need more people from different walks of life who are willing to get involved beyond a monthly meeting.

3. Defining what economic development is. It is not the Economic Development Commission's job to start businesses. Nor are businesses in the habit of setting up shop in towns just because a few people think it's a good idea. Successful companies know their markets and choose their locations wisely. That's their job. It's the EDC's job to develop a long-term and strategic plan to encourage growth. Here's a good definition: "Economic development is a concerted effort on the part of the responsible governing body in a city or county to influence the direction of private sector investment toward opportunities that can lead to sustained economic growth." Nearly two years ago, the Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) eliminated the square footage cap at the EDC's urging. It didn't exactly lead to a crush of retailers dying to get into town. There are lots of reasons for this. So, the EDC needs to think more strategically about how to lure businesses to town, or even better, how to help existing businesses grow. And as I once wrote, "Money Follows Money." Economic development requires investments that I don't think the town of Stafford is prepared to make, so the EDC needs a plan that doesn't require money from the taxpayers.

4. Getting over the past and figuring out the future. Too often, conversations at the EDC devolved into talk about what could have happened 20 years ago, but didn't. Personally, I don't think Walmart helps anyone, and that large-scale retail is not the answer for a town with Stafford's challenges, but even if you are pro-big box store, that ship sailed long ago. Even retailers have moved on (see: empty malls). It's time to move on and think more critically about what Stafford can do to attract the type of business that does thrive here and actually provides good jobs (e.g., manufacturing).

5. Work with other boards and commissions. At least once, I suggested that the EDC meet with other boards to discuss how they could collaborate to support economic development. The EDC's powers are incredibly limited. There isn't much it can do without the PZC, Board of Finance, and/or the Board of Selectmen getting involved. Frankly, the Events & Celebrations Committee does more to bring people into town and help local businesses than the EDC has ever done. The PZC's Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD), which is basically the PZC's Bible, is very important to how Stafford will progress and identifies many tasks to help move the needle. Working closely with these other groups can only help.

I could go on, but this sums up the main hurdles that the EDC needs to clear. It all boils down to a lack of people with the time and commitment to research the obstacles Stafford faces, address them, and then act on them. In other towns, this is someone's job; they can devote 40 hours a week to solving these problems. That's why cities like Vernon have websites like this one, complete with economic development policies. In Stafford, we have a tireless Director of Grants and Community Development, Amber Wakley-Whaley, but you will note that "economic development" does not actually appear in her title. That being said, she seems to be the one who is getting economic development done. In fact, when the PZC put out its list of action items based on the POCD, complete with suggestions for the other town organizations that could help with each, Wakley-Whaley was already working on most of the items assigned to the EDC, such as "Promote renovating, rehabilitating, and reusing underutilized and blighted commercial structures" (See: Witt School and the Hydeville Mill.)

Economic development is a long haul that requires a strategic plan and people committed to achieving a set of goals that could take years. Milestones are small. It's not as simple as saying, "We need another grocery store. Let's call one and tell them to move here." It's about addressing the underlying issues that make businesses go elsewhere. Economic and infrastructural problems are complex and challenging to change; identifying businesses that, perhaps, won't be deterred by those issues, and then pursuing them, might be the first step to developing Stafford's economy.