Bedford Business Resource Group to Revamp, Refocus

The Bedford Business Resource Group (BBRG) met last night and, among a number of topics discussed, members of the influential volunteer organization agreed they need to revamp the group's focus and determine its next direction.

To get there, BBRG member Suzy Butler said the group will solicit feedback from Bedford business owners and managers.

"The most important thing that came out of the meeting is that we need to reevaluate our direction and where we stand within the community," she said. "We have a lot going on in town, but it's still really important to continue investing in the town and retain the businesses we have and to make sure anything we have left to build is done right."

Whether or not to broadcast its meetings on BCTV was one topic discussed, and the possibility of pushing for a full- or part-time economic development director was another.

"When this group first formed, we identified several issues we wanted to tackle and then we realized that being a volunteer group, our resources were very limited, so we made signage our major focus because that seemed to be one of the top concerns amongst the business owners with which we spoke," said Butler.

This past spring, the group's time and diligence proved fruitful as the Bedford Town Council approved several

The group was also a major player in successfully lobbying residents to approve a Tax Increment Finance (TIF) district in 2011.

"Now, we're looking at moving forward with major limitations in terms of the amount of time we all have to dedicate," said Butler. "I mean, all of us sitting on committee bring great things to the table, but none of us has that level of experience and expertise as an economic develop director."

Even that suggestion, noted Butler, will have to be supported by local business owners if the BBRG is to advance the idea to the Town Council and Bedford taxpayers.

"We didn't think it was fair for our small group to make decisions for businesses in the community," she said. "Things tend to be a bit fragmented with some of these businesses, since Bedford doesn't have a chamber of commerce ... but we see ourselves as their advocates and really feel we should bring their (collective) voice, not ours, to the Town Council."

"We want to sit down with business owners and property owners and pick their brains with all of them in one room at the same time," Butler continued. "Last year, we all went out and met with them individually, and that was helpful, but it's amazing how people can feed off each other and spark ideas when they're all brought together."

Butler said the group is targeting a gathering date of mid- to late-September.

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