Giving free money to West Chester residents a poor solution

While I understand the desire to push past legislation to release the $1.8 million in West Chester’s rainy day fund, I am not in agreement that this is the best use of funds.

The demographics of the borough do not suggest that everyone who is a permanent resident is in need of $100 to spend in town.

Then there is the issue of those residents who are being cautious because of the pandemic, and not going out, even with free money burning a hole in their pocket. The idea that this will encourage spending in the downtown is idealistic.

If one already lives in the borough, and does not shop in the borough, then no amount of “free money “will move them to shop there. The idea that this money would help residents who are in need is questionable, and not viable.

If one is in need, then it’s their basic needs which need to be covered. If I have no income, and someone gives me $100 (or $200, if you are a couple), I’m going to take my money and spend it where it can do the most good, like a grocery store, or Walmart. We do not have a grocery store. And we no longer have Kmart.

If the concern is actually for the businesses, then it would be better to divvy that pot of $1.8 million between store owners trying to make rent, and pay for insurance and electric. Or better yet, develop a marketing strategy for tapping into the surrounding townships to get them familiar and give them incentive, to drive in and walk around.

Or do nothing with the money. The knee jerk reaction to spend what is purposefully saved for an emergency is not how that money should be spent. This is not an emergency. Unfortunately, it’s part of business.

West Chester has shouldered through uncertain times, and come out of them. Businesses that are not doing well may not have been doing well before the pandemic. The pandemic has just pushed forward what was inevitable for them. Businesses do ebb and flow. They do depend on their customers, and business owners do need a good business plan to attract them, and keep them.

We survived the 90s, when our mayor moved the government offices out of the downtown, taking all the foot traffic with it. A few of us business owners put our efforts together into reinventing the downtown into a destination place, by creating events, which encouraged people outside of the downtown to travel in.

Business owners also survived the snow and icy January, where we were not able to be open, and it was unsafe to travel. We’ve also endured major construction, and a recession. None of which was in our control. But many of us persevered. Many of us didn’t make it. Currently we are in the throes of an international pandemic. There is nothing we can do except reinvent how we do business until we get through this…and we will one day be done with this.

Throwing a band-aid on a hemorrhage is not a solution. To the business owners, use your social media to reach your customers. To the residents of Chester County, think small businesses for your gift giving this year.

And to our government in West Chester, be aware how you are going to improve relationships with the businesses of the downtown and the customers they need to sustain themselves, and perhaps put a team together to start planning how to improve and put West Chester back to a desired destination for your events for 2021.