BERLIN -- Representatives from Maryland Capital Enterprises (MCE) stopped by Berlin Wednesday for a tour of small businesses and to touch base with established and potential small business owners.
“Since the start of this decade, small business has created 95% of all new jobs,” said MCE Executive Director Hayley Gallagher. “Small businesses are the backbone of our economy, and this week we are reaching out to thank them for that important role.”
Mayor Gee Williams and Sen. Jim Mathias joined Gallagher and other MCE officials for a tour of the town, speaking to business oweners and residents in front of the Atlantic Hotel.
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14 comments:
was there yesterday. Not a meter in sight. free two hour parking and a large lot behind some businesses.
I'm in Berlin twice a week. The place is dead except for the bank and traffic on Main St. No one is hardly ever walking around. Maybe it's busy on the weekend?
Or maybe people just come and do their business and leave. Sometimes I do wander through the shops and 9 out of 10 times I'm the only customer in them.
I did see a few people in the church thrift store last week which I even thought to myself that it was the first time in years I've seen so many people in one store in Berlin at the same time including the big antique mall.
There's always plenty of parking in the lot except if there is a viewing at Burbage.
Berlin is like a tourist destination with it's close proximity to the beach.
It looks cute and quaint but I really hope Salisbury can do better and lure businesses with better paying jobs.
If that can be done then other low paying businesses such as retail and restaurants will follow.
I'm excited to here your plan Joe.
Berlin has done a great job with their downtown. Let's cut right through the chase. Berlin does not have the crime problem that Salisbury does. Truth is, I would not go into downtown Salisbury at night unless I was armed. Armed for protection from gangs. Suggestion. Salisbury pass an open carry law and many problems will go away. It can be done now because Maryland's open carry law is unconstitutional.
Has MCE tried to help Salisbury?
Berlin is nice but yes it is a tourist destination and the jobs it provides for the most part are low paying.
Salisbury has to come up with some creative ways to lure business. For example take Royal Farms, a Maryland based business with corporate headquarters in Baltimore. How do you lure them to move their headquarters to Salisbury? It's got to be more than tax incentives? Someone needs to come up with creative and different ways to do this.
MCE is a lender so I imagine it would be up to individual business owners to apply for any help they have to offer, 6:25.
Berlin could be touted as a "success" but to some success is alot more than having only a small number of storefronts/properties vacant.
It still remains that an overwhelming number of Berlin area young people haven't an option when it comes to job opportunities using their education and/or skills. If your family doesn't own a business or you don't want to work for the government, jobs are not available.
True success is when our young people want to stay and can stay in the community and start and raise families and not have to look for jobs elsewhere.
You need to start with luring businesses that aren't dependant on the local economy.
I've been following the OC young guy who started the phone app Sonar. He appears to be doing well and has quadrupled employees since founding his company. He's headquarted out of New York. Now how do we convince companies to relocate to Salisbury?
Because of unique businesses such as Victoria Charm, and Rayne's Reef, plus the antique "malls", Berlin is a must-see tourist destination for many. They do a good job advertising their businesses, and have gone out of their way to promote the festivals, etc. that bring NEW people to town each year. Berlins Fiddler's Convention, for instance...it's hard to believe that there isn't anybody smart enough to figure out what would get Salisbury out of the dumps and onto a positive plane like Berlin did....maybe the Feldman's do-over will turn the tides. I hope so.
From an economic developement perspective Salisbury can't be compared to Berlin. Berlin is a short driving distance to a major tourist attraction (OC) that attracts millions of people a year.
Rt 13 bypass killed any ideas of Salisbury catching the traffic on there way to other destinations. The problem with Salisbury is you can have all the quaint shops, eateries, and antique stores in the world but unless there are people who have spending money after expenses most of these types of businesses will fail.
Yes, the only way to do it is to try and get businesses that do not depend solely if at all on the local economy.
That is why alot of downtown revitilzaion projects have failed miserably. It's not a "one size fits all solution."
Berlin has 1. more art venues
2. a very home owner, rural/coastal small neighborhood 3a larger retired older population of people who join societies to socialize 4.they probably pay more taxes? 5 the population base is wealthier 6 located near OC there is a focus is on tourism , all of which contributes to a different type of artsy, quaint, good feeling area. I'snt their Chamber of Commerce, their Art Council and Dept Of Tourism different than Salisbury? Perhaps your expectations are not realistic. Can't compare strawberries to chicken.
MY wish list---Put a nice family/kid friendly park in town with leashed dog walk and walking path for people. catering company nearby. Covered Pinic table(cement) area that cannot be vandalized. A small botanical garden with a trellace for weddings.Then locate an open sheltered bus terminal with a few simple eateries all nearby the library. Make a mini mall out of the fire station with free parking. Give the people free activities that promote healthy, family events type of enviroment. Maybe people will visit for Sunday family time, weddings, reunions, to exercise and relax. Really where do we have to go anyway? It fills a need.Of course you will need maintance all paid for by a small fee for large parties to use the other large gathering bld.PS no water no geese.
If these folks from the MCE are so "supportive" of local small business, would it be possible they are the first ones to bypass the small businesses and go online to make purchases?
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