Greater Seminole Heights Merchants Association

In response to my post about the Seminole Heights Business Alliance, there have been much talk about how the Alliance is not doing what it needs to do to bring new businesses to Seminole Heights and to help the existing businesses.

"Several established SH business folks, I have spoken with, had belonged but quit because they did not see any benefit of membership and resented paying dues that did not produce anything. And, some of their stories are even more scathing and critical towards the SH Business Alliance. . . It's too bad, the business sector really needs to work on promotion and marketing, plus have somewhere to turn for information and support. "

and

"There are significant barriers for resident-serving businesses moving into the area, and significant incentives for current businesses to resist any changes to the status quo. . . . Perhaps we need to create a second organization that can offer the services the BA doesn't and focus more on a balanced view of commerce in our area. "

Apparently this conversation has been going on in Seminole Heights for a while.

Among people I've communicated with, the consensus is that a second organization does need to be created. This would be an organization that would cater to the brick and mortar businesses (stores, restaurants, and etc) but also to the businesses run out of the home such as artists, craftspeople, tradespeople, graphic designers, realtors, etc. The only criteria is that they be located in Seminole Heights.

Some of the goals would be some of the same as the BA, except that they would actually be implemented instead of just lip service. Other goals would be to aggressively market the businesses of Seminole Heights areas outside of Seminole Heights. Brochures, websites and other marketing devices. A web/email forum for businesses to communicate and share ideas and problems would be created. The creation of a Business Crime Watch. Aggressively soliciting new businesses to come into the area. Applying for grants to assist in these activities. Seeing if there are ways to use existing tax breaks/incentives to assist new or existing businesses. See if new tax breaks/incentives are needed. Interface with the various CRA's. Evaluate current zoning rules and see if they need to be change to reflect urban business life. And other ideas.

At this point the organization is in the concept stage. A working title for the organization is "Greater Seminole Heights Merchants Association". However this is up for grabs if something better can be created. If you have better or alternative ideas ( I know they are out there) send to me via email or as comments on the blog.

If you are interested in this organization email me and I will put you on the greater Seminole Heights email group, where discussion of this will continue. As interest picks up and things start to get nailed down , an organizational meeting held. Details of that meeting will be posted here and sent out via various email groups.