[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
There is hereby created in the Town an Economic Development
Commission which shall function as an advisory body to the Town Council
and the Town Manager to assist in the development of the Town's economic
development strategy as well as to support the economic development
goals of the Town and to help with initiatives to maintain and enhance
the economic vitality of Westerly.
The goals and objectives of the Economic Development Commission
are as follows:
A. To support activities that promote orderly growth and diversification
of development that recognizes the natural characteristics of the
land, its suitability for use and the availability of existing and
proposed public and/or private services and facilities.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
B. To support activities that promote an economic climate which increases
the quality and quantity of job opportunities and the overall economic
well-being of the Town and its residents.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
C. To support local business activities by promoting the revitalization
and development of all aspects of Westerly's economy.
D. To support the implementation of the economic development goals and
the intent of the Town's Comprehensive Plan and/or make advisory opinions
should a conflict arise.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
Following the initial appointment, the Economic Development
Commission shall organize by electing a Chairman, a Vice Chairman
and a Secretary from among its membership. At the first meeting following
the annual appointments, the Commission shall elect its officers;
existing officers shall continue to hold their respective offices
until their successors are elected.
The duties of the Economic Development Commission shall be as
follows:
A. Annually, commencing in 2012, at a regularly scheduled Town Council
meeting, not later than October 1, for inclusion in the Town Annual
Report, or more often as the Town Council sees suitable, the Commission
shall submit to the Town Council a report of its activities during
the past year.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
B. Under the auspices of the Town Manager or his or her designee, assist
the Planning Board with the development of economic development goals
and objectives that give consideration to the proper role for Westerly's
waterfront, tourism, commercial development, downtown revitalization,
and industrial development for inclusion in the Comprehensive Plan.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
C. Under the auspices of the Town Manager or his or her designee, assist
the Planning Board and the Town Council with the implementation of
the Comprehensive Plan and make recommendations as to individual activity
compliant with the intent of the Comprehensive Plan.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
D. Coordinate activities with adjacent and regional communities as necessary.
E. Under the auspices of the Town Manager or his or her designee, assist
with early potential project development plans and meetings in conjunction
with appropriate Town staff and receive updates periodically.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]
F. Provide the Town Council advisory opinions on requests for any incentives,
subsidies, tax abatements, financial assistance programs or other
assistance to promote industrial or commercial relocation or expansion.
G. Provide the Town Council with input as to recipients for any federal,
state or local loan projects and recommend financing conditions for
such projects relative to the projects' needs.
H. May assist existing and potential industries/businesses in the search
for available public funding opportunities.
[Amended 8-15-2016 by Ch. No. 1873]