Despite pandemic, business is busy in Southbury
Kevin Bielmeier, Southbury’s first economic development director hired on Oct. 28, 2019, was unowingly less than four months away from dealing with a pandemic that took its toll on the global economy.
When COVID-19 hit, Bielmeier and the Southbuiry town government embraced the challenge, as other communities did, to help local businesses overcome the impact.
“No one could have truly prepared for a crisis of such unprecedented, global proportion,” Bielmeier said. “The comment I heard most often, after being hired, was ‘what a terrible time to be an economic developer, during a pandemic. Truth is, it actually was an opportune time. The town never had someone in this position before, so businesses weren’t used to having someone going to bat for them. With a sudden crisis, they appreciated having someone focused on their needs.”
The pandemic hit the business industry hard in Connecticut. But according to town-by-town business registrations from the Secretary of State’s office Southbury has enjoyed business growth despite the continued presence of COVID-19. In 2010, there were 61 new businesses in town, in 2015 there were 98 and in 2020 there were 128.
Town-by-town state statistics for new registered businesses for 2021 won’t be released until the end of this year.
“Southbury has managed to remain stable and resilient through this crisis, in part, because we didn’t let down our guard,” Bielmeier said. “We are a well-managed town fiscally and operationally, and businesses like that.”
The growth has continued. The past three months there have been many ribbon cutting ceremonies in town to signal new retail openings. The most recent are Motif by Monarch (assisted living facility) on Thursday and Lucas Local Oyster Bar and Grill on Nov. 1. Other new businesses include Southford Deli, Southbury Baking Co., Pediatric Association, EG Home Design Center, UPS Store, Chipotle, Mission-Salad and Heritage Deli.
“While overall new business registration activity in the state was declining, ours has been rising,” Bielmeier said. “Southbury has weathered this storm well. Most of the business closings here were national chains, who were going to leave us anyway, due to market forces.
“Many of those spots are now refilled with new businesses. This growth is attracting more businesses and from new sectors. An abandoned manufacturing site is about to become the new home for an EV (electric vehicle) charger designer and manufacturer bringing a workforce of 36, with the promise of many more jobs as they ramp up production.”
While business growth has been on-going, it has been a process to ensure that growth is constant.
“Just as our businesses had to pivot, so did I, from economic developer to business saver,” Bielmeier said. “Together with our digital strategist Gosia Liedlich, we established a COVID-19 business communication center providing constant updates, e-blasts, webinars, phone hotline, links to resources and more.
“We helped businesses navigate all of the ever-changing state and federal assistance programs like PPP, EIDL (Economic Injury Disaster Loan), ERTC (Employee Retention Tax Credit), Connecticut Business Recovery Grant, and others. I became an expert myself on how to apply for them after hours of informational webinars by CT-SBDC, a great partner for small business.”
One focus during this process was connecting with established and potential business owners.
“We put-out a Covid-19 survey to determine needs and pain points, and then tried to address them,” Bielmeier said. “Like others across the state, we launched a Long Term Recovery Committee, we provided one-on-one assistance and even helped negotiate rent deferment with landlords. The focus was on business survival and keeping the lights on.
“We paid extra attention to restaurants, the hardest businesses hit, letting the community know who was open, who delivered and what times. We simplified getting an outdoor dining permit and we ran a 10-week winter restaurant promotion, partnering with the Southbury Business Association. (www.southburybusiness.org).”
Once the needs of established businesses were addressed, the focus was growing the Southbury business community.
“With a tourniquet on, we turned our attention from saving to starting a business in Southbury,” Bielmeier said. “We focused on making the process easier, offering pre-application meetings to applicants before they sign a lease or a mortgage. We introduced online permitting, bringing us into the digital age.
“To help address the work force shortage, we have introduced a job portal on the town website where businesses can list their openings and candidates can learn about them. We also intend to hold a job fair.”
Looking ahead to continue working for business resiliency and staying connected, Southbury’s economic development office is relaunching the town’s monthly Lunch ‘n Learn Seminar Series in January, with ‘Business Resiliency’ as the first topic.
“Our panel will include our emergency management director and those with fiscal and operational business resiliency expertise,” Bielmeier said. “The future of business in Southbury is in attracting young talent and investing in infrastructure.”
Bielmeier said with the largest population of seniors in the state, Southbury has a wealth of institutional knowledge and business expertise. He envisions a space where resident retired business professionals can serve as hands-on mentors for young, upand-coming area entrepreneurs.
“This ‘business incubator’, when combined with investments in broadband, infrastructure and other needed technological advancements, including renewable energy, will well position Southbury to not only remain competitive in the future and attract investment, but to lead the way.”