How Would You Help Sustain Life in Needham’s Businesses?

A look around Needham this summer has shown some new businesses popping up, but also a handful of empty storefronts in the downtown area. If elected State Representative, what are a couple of steps you would take to help ensure that local residents patronize the businesses within their communities?

Denise Garlick (D)

My goal as a state representative would be to work in partnership with our Needham Business Association, Needham-Newton Chamber of Commerce and other motivated merchants to encourage and support our local business community. I have long been a proponent of buying local and have supported initiatives like selectively covering the parking meters, sidewalk sales days and the continued efforts of beautification of downtown and the Heights.  Beyond that, I would continue initiatives to make Needham as friendly for small businesses as possible through ensuring that our permitting process is quick, fair and efficient. Unique, well-run vendors like many we already have in Needham  are a foundation for the economic and social well being of our community.  

Joshua Levy (R)

Local residents should be free to choose which establishments they patronize, whether local or otherwise. However, there are some steps the state can take to encourage businesses to fill empty storefronts. These steps include lowering the commercial tax rate, which is among the highest in the nation, and working with local communities to streamline permitting processes.

Gary McNeill (D)

Similar to the answer regarding green technologies (from yesterday), we need to enhance infrastructure (ie parking, traffic, roads, accessibility), as well as market the great shops and restaurants that reside in the district.

John O'Leary (R)

Businesses will thrive wherever taxes are low and regulation is reasonable. We don't have that essential business climate here in Massachusetts. We should reduce the sales tax, and reduce the tax burden on small business in areas such as Unemployment Insurance.  If we do that, local business will thrive. I don't believe that there is a great deal that Beacon Hill can (or should) do to ensure that Needham residents shop in town.  But, if you create a reasonable business environment, then the wonderful business owners of Needham will serve customers from far and wide, and Needham shoppers will go where it is most convenient.

Jerry Wasserman (D)

I would propose smart growth incentives. Let's zone downtown business districts for mixed use. Allowing apartments and condos brings a base of pedestrian shoppers for local business. I served on the downtown study committee that successfully proposed these changes in the Needham Town Meeting. Also, increasing public transportation to commercial districts is important to reduce road congestion and increase foot traffic for local business. Another cheap and environmentally sound approach to reduce congestion is to encourage bike use through the addition of bike lanes when roads are repaved and through the addition of bike stands at key convenient locations.