The Economic Development Commission (EDC) was established by town ordinance in 1979. (Town Ordinance #12.08 revised April, 2008)
EDC was established for the promotion and development of the economic resources of the Town of East Hampton. The Commission consists of seven members who are resident voters of the town and are appointed by the Town Manager for a term of four years. EDC members elect a Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and other officers deemed necessary. The members are appointed and all members serve without compensation. EDC names liaisons to Planning and Zoning, Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce and other relevant town or ad hoc boards, commissions, committees or regional organizations. Commission meetings are held on the third Tuesday of each month at the Town Hall or other accessible location and special meetings are called as necessary. All meetings are open to the public. The mission of the East Hampton Economic Development Council is: "To successfully attract new business, retain established business and improve the quality of life of East Hampton residents, visitors and tourists." Activities of the Economic Development Commission are directed at shaping the local economy and benefiting the community in many ways such as to:
· Promote job creation and retention
· Create a business-friendly climate to attract new business and diversify the local
economy
· Contribute to an enhanced tax base
· Consider tax assessment deferral to encourage new or expansion of existing
business
· Nurture, retain, and expand existing business
· Promote preservation of farmland and open spaces in accordance with the town
Plan of Conservation
· Promote and develop tourism and the consumption of local goods and services
· Enhance the Village Center
· Support beautification projects
· Advocate and support town infrastructure improvements (water, sewer, natural
gas, power, and telecommunications)
· Implement the town's economic plan as per the Plan of Conservation and
Development
The Economic Development Commission seeks to educate the public and gain community endorsement and consensus for its activities, as the townspeople are the principle stakeholders. EDC strives to coordinate activities in alignment with the goals and priorities delineated in town and business surveys and to work collaboratively with other town boards, councils, and commissions. Other functions include activities to:
· Provide prospective businesses with town information
· Develop methods to inventory and publicize available business sites
· Inventory, prioritize, assess, and when possible remediate environmental
contamination in order to facilitate adaptive reuse and redevelopment in the
Village Center. EDC is currently implementing the Brownfields grant awarded by
the EPA called the East Hampton Village Center Revitalization Initiative. In order to leverage its impact, EDC actively seeks affiliation with state and regional organizations. External partnerships are cultivated that will assist with community training and education, funding, and technical and organizational assistance. Limited town resources are a major impediment to initiatives, therefore, EDC diligently seeks to identify state and federal economic development funding, subsidy, and grant opportunities.
