{"id":68,"date":"2013-10-17T01:41:42","date_gmt":"2013-10-17T01:41:42","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/?p=68"},"modified":"2013-10-17T01:42:28","modified_gmt":"2013-10-17T01:42:28","slug":"economic-development-%e2%80%93-monthly-report-%e2%80%93-september-2013","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/reports.cityofsandy.com\/economicdevelopment\/2013\/10\/17\/economic-development-%e2%80%93-monthly-report-%e2%80%93-september-2013\/","title":{"rendered":"Economic Development \u2013 Monthly Report \u2013 September 2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

General notes:\u00a0 <\/strong>The Departmental Report for Economic Development will be changing format somewhat starting with this month\u2019s report.\u00a0 This report will now be reflective of Sandy Main Street\u2019s operations, which I have assumed managerial control of at the direction of the Council.\u00a0 I will include SMS operations under a separate sub-heading further down in this report.\u00a0 I will no longer be updating you on my public information officer-related duties as these responsibilities are in the process of transferring over to Caroline Ramer. \u00a0These will include the current utility bill newsletter and information on the City of Sandy\u2019s social media outlets (Facebook and Twitter), although I have included one last update with regard to social media on this month\u2019s report.<\/p>\n

Also, please note that my office has moved once again.\u00a0 I am now in the Sandy Main Street office in the AEC building (Jason\u2019s old office), and we\u2019re still working on getting my office furniture and other effects moved along with me.\u00a0 Please bear with me through this chaotic process: \u00a0I have half an office in the SandyNet building, the other half in the AEC building, and the desk I am currently typing this report on will be removed tomorrow by Firwood Designs (the current owner of my desk) at a time as yet to be determined.\u00a0 I have absolutely no idea how I\u2019m going to get my old desk to my new office.\u00a0 As you can imagine, my organizational skills are being challenged like never before\u2026<\/p>\n

Commercial Properties (vacancies, new businesses, etc.):\u00a0 Barbara Sah & Rich Monnie properties \/\/ Skipper\/Lundeen properties \/\/ Mark Benson properties<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Bunsenbrewer:<\/span>\u00a0 This business has made great strides forward since last month.\u00a0 I received an e-mail message from Mr. Hanson on September 11th<\/sup> detailing his then current level of frustration regarding a) an exhaust fan install, and b) a floor drain\/grease interceptor requirement.\u00a0 Please (seriously, please!) read the letter and ED departmental response here: \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0G:\\Economic Development\\new businesses\\Bunsenbrewers\\aaron letter and response.docx<\/a><\/p>\n

This response seemed to adequately address the questions that Aaron had, and when asked about his situation at his appearance at the Sept. 16 council meeting, he said things were going pretty smoothly.\u00a0 We then had an \u201call-hands-on-deck\u201d (myself, Tracy, Terre, Noryne, Aaron Hanson, Mike Maiden) meeting at Bunsenbrewer on September 25th<\/sup> to discuss pending issues, project timelines and the change to a two-tier project (phase 1 = keg\/growler distribution only \/ phase 2 = on-site beer sales and consumption).\u00a0 This meeting also went very smoothly, and approval for a business license for Phase 1 of the project is pending.<\/p>\n

Sandy Gold Swap<\/span>:\u00a0 As I have discussed with some council members earlier in the month, this business essentially packed up shop and absconded into the night a few weeks ago.\u00a0 As far as I can tell, there were no outstanding bills or damage left behind, so all is well.\u00a0 It was interesting to listen to the owners of Ox & Marley (building neighbors) describe the departure though \u2013 \u201cThey just pulled up a truck on a Friday evening, packed everything into the truck that wasn\u2019t nailed down, and disappeared leaving a completely<\/span> empty box of a store in their wake.\u201d\u00a0 Fortunately, the Paola Bros. (building owners) have already found a new tenant, and he is already working inside the property customizing it to his liking.\u00a0 The new business occupying this space will be the reincarnation of Royal Flesh Tattoo.\u00a0 More to come\u2026.<\/p>\n

Verizon Wireless store:<\/span> \u00a0\u00a0The quest to get these gentlemen onto SandyNet fiber continues.\u00a0 Scott Brown and I have talked with Greg Shippen (store manager) and Connor Smith (regional manager) multiple times, and they always sound positive about the prospects.\u00a0 The business that owns this store (Cellular Plus) is busy expanding in Colorado at the moment (opening 3 new stores), so Connor has asked for patience as they work through that process.\u00a0 Scott and I will continue to monitor the situation.<\/p>\n

The Buzz at Bakers<\/span>:\u00a0 The ribbon-cutting\/grand opening at their new location on September 25th<\/sup> was a smashing success. \u00a0We had 30-40 people show up (including most of the Chamber of Commerce!), and the ribbon-cutting made for a fantastic photo-op for the owner.\u00a0 Preliminary reports indicate that they have lost a few customers (who don\u2019t want to drive to that end of town\u2026sheesh!) and gained a few as well, most likely due to the improved visibility (catches traffic going both directions on US26 instead of just one way on Proctor; lots of stops in that complex).\u00a0 I predict that this will end up being a profitable move for the owner in the long run.<\/p>\n

ribbon cuttings<\/span>:\u00a0 In and around the month of September, we (ED\/Chamber) have done ribbon cuttings (and one \u201cvirtual\u201d ribbon cutting \u2013 Hi Bill!) <\/em>with the Mayor at the following businesses:<\/p>\n

* \u00a0Ox and Marley (Sept 6)<\/p>\n

* \u00a0Verizon Wireless Store (Sept 6)<\/p>\n

* \u00a0Sandy Family Restaurant (Sept 12)<\/p>\n

* \u00a0The Buzz at Baker\u2019s (Sept 25)<\/p>\n

* \u00a0Pizza Hut (Oct 3)<\/p>\n

This is a fantastic PR move for both the City and the Chamber, as all of these events have been extremely positive in attitude and wildly popular with the business owners.\u00a0 More of this, please!<\/p>\n

Public Information:<\/strong><\/p>\n