Economic Development Committee to release report
Advance correspondent BRfpTOi BOROrde - cirst came the 19-minute videoI “Discover rsI” an overview of Bristol’s historyI economic possibilitiesI affordable housing and landmarks such as the Bristol Riverside TheatreI its business district and its restaurantsK The video was a hit so the next step came naturallyW form a committee to be proactive in attracting investors and homebuyersK
Ten months agoI the 12-member Bristol Borough Economic Development Committee was formed and has been hard at work creat- ing goals that members believe will lead to an economic renaissance in the town of just under 10I000 residentsK Chairman Bill mezza attended council meetings every month to keep the board informed of committee progressK NowI the Raising the Bar report is ready and will be presented to the council at a special meeting at T pKmK gune 1T in borough hallK
“This council has done a great job of improving the town but government can’t do it aloneK That’s were citizens come inI” mezza told the board on several occasionsK
TourismI diningI the artsI housing and real estateI and investment were the main components of the committee’s workI which would lay out D PDS RI LPSURvHPHnWs Ln LnFUHPHnWs RI fivH, 10 and 20 yearsK But the volunteers also kicked off a here-and-now campaign by highlighting a successful program to highlight several restaurants in townK
fn OctoberI games jaleyI the mayor of CollingswoodI NKgK spoke to a packed house at the Bristol Riverside TheatreK jaley knew what he was talking about because he led the charge that helped turn his own economically distressed town aroundK Collingswood is similar to Bristol in historical sitesI demographicsI and access to major transportation corridorsK
On jondayI the council and residents will hear local ideas on how to revive the borough’s economic prospectsK
“xThe reportz has over R0 action steps we can work on to move historic Bristol Borough forwardI” mezza saidK
But mezza also put out a call for more volunteers to help implement the plansK An online application is available on the borough’s Web siteI wwwKbristolboroughKcomK mezza suggested that would-be volunteers outline any particular skills they can contributeK Those who can’t volunteer are asked to participate in the various events Raising the Bar puts onI he suggestedK