February Business Newsletter

Business Class - "Signs in Sturbridge" 

The Town is excited to announce that we will be offering a new business class this February 22^nd starting at 8:30am in the Town Hall. "Signs in Sturbridge - A Detailed Explanation of the Sign Bylaws in Town" will be led by our Town Planner Jean Bubon, AICP and she will cover a variety of topics including: 

• An overview of the sign bylaw and an explanation of how it applies to different types of businesses
• The changes that have been made to the sign bylaws
• The new blanket approval for "A" Frames in the same color scheme as the new Town Signs

If you are interested in participating in this business class, you can view the initial announcement and register for the class by clicking here. 

Business Advocacy Group

Below is a press release from the newly form Sturbridge Business Advocacy Group here in Sturbridge, a group organized and managed by Sturbridge Business Leaders.  

"STURBRIDGE BUSINESS LEADERS FORM NEW BUSINESS ADVISORY GROUP

Members look to educate and advocate for a stronger Sturbridge Business Community

STURBRIDGE, MA…..Members of the Sturbridge business community have come together to form a new organization named the Sturbridge Business Advisory Group, an independent advocacy group made up of Sturbridge business leaders focused on fostering a business friendly community by raising awareness and seeking a dialogue among Town Boards and Committees for the issues affecting economic development in Sturbridge. The organization, initially assembled by Kevin Filchak, Economic Development & Tourism Coordinator for the Town of Sturbridge, is open to any Sturbridge business owner and town residents interested in advancing Sturbridge’s economic development through information, education, and advocacy.

At its December 14, 2017 meeting, Cedric Daniel of Rapscallion Brewery and Paul Joyce of Optim, LLC were elected the organization’s co-chairs. Founding members include Mike Young of On-Line Credit Card Services; Salli Greene of Alternatives For Health Herbal Apothecary; Maxine Carter-Lome of Weathervane Enterprises; Alix McNitt, Executive Director of the Central Mass South Chamber of Commerce; and Brian Amedy of Reeder Family Lodges, among others.

The group, which believes that informed residents and Town committees are the best advocates for a healthy business community, are planning a number of new initiatives this year designed to strengthen communications between the business community and Town residents and committees, including a monthly electronic newsletter that informs business owners of Town committee meetings and agendas, a Facebook page highlighting and sharing local business activities and opportunities, and a Candidates Night scheduled for Thursday, March 8.  More information about the BAG-sponsored Candidate’s Night, designed as an open exchange of information between candidates running for open Town committee positions and local business owners, will be released shortly.

The next meeting of the Sturbridge Business Advisory Group is scheduled for February 8th at 6pm at Alternatives For Health Herbal Apothecary, located at 426 Main Street. This meeting is open to anyone interested in learning more about the organization and getting involved in its upcoming plans. For more information, contact Kevin Filchak at 508-347-2500 ext. 1411.

The Sturbridge Business Advisory Group, an independent advocacy group made up of Sturbridge business leaders and interested town residents focused on fostering a business friendly community by raising awareness and seeking a dialogue among Town Boards and Committees for the issues affecting economic development in Sturbridge."

Farmers Market Planning Committee

January 8^th was the first meeting of the Sturbridge Farmers Market Planning Committee and during the month the committee has been working hard to establish itself as it prepares to launch a farmers market this calendar year. The committee currently has seven members and it will be looking for more volunteers over the coming months. The committee is meeting the first and third months of each month. 

If you are interested you can contact the group at sturbridgefarmersmkt@gmail.com or you can email the Economic Development and Tourism Coordinator. 

Sturbridge Tourist Association (STA) - Marketing Efforts 

The Sturbridge Tourist Association (STA) has been working to promote and market the Town of Sturbridge in a variety of ways.

• Recently the STA asked for photos of local businesses that they could use in marketing campaigns to promote the Town. These adverts will be promoted in the Hartford Courant and on their associated websites. This campaign will also provide the STA with a booth at the annual travel show for the Hartford Courant this May where the STA will be representing local businesses.
• The STA is planning to attend the AAA Travel Show this spring with Discover Central Massachusetts as a way to help promote our community. 
• The STA getting ready to test a prototype sign which will have QR Codes for tourism website. The STA is planning to produce these signs for businesses to display for their patrons if they choose to participate in the testing. If this proves successful they will look to expand the program further. 

The STA is able to do all this marketing thanks to the revenues collected from the Hotel/Motel Sales Tax. The STA has been seeing an increase over the past few years in its revenues due to increasing overnight stays in Sturbridge. The STA has been using those additional funds to support you and your businesses. If you have an idea for promoting Sturbridge, please contact the Sturbridge Tourist Association and share your ideas with them. 

Severe Winter Weather

With all of the severe winter weather that we have been having between the severe cold, the snow storms, and flooding, there is a lot to think about. It is important for your business to be prepared and as a Town we encourage you to consider preparing for these severe weather events/disaster situations. 

You can learn more about what you can do to protect you business by watching our business class on the subject by clicking here, going to FEMA business preparedness website, or by contacting the Economic Development & Tourism Coordinator. 

Upcoming Meetings

Please note these meetings may be subject to change. Please check the Town's meeting website to confirm meeting times and locations or visit the Town Clerks Office in the Town Hall.  

Thank you for all that you do for Sturbridge. As always if you have questions, comments, concerns or ideas please feel free to contact the Economic Development & Tourism Coordinator anytime.