News Source: Newport Daily News

Date Publised:y August 28, 2008

By Matt Sheley, Daily News Staff

Note: All newclips are extracted in their editorial entirety and are not altered by
Marforth Group in any way.

Ideas Aired for Boosting Middletown Commerce

Middletown - Better capitalizing on all that's going on in Newport, hiring an economic development coordinator and doing more to clean up the waters off area beaches were among the suggestions Monday night to the Middletown Town Council to help the town become more of a player on the economic development front. Consultant Rick McAuliffe of The Mayforth Group presented the findings of a yearlong study of the local economy, which indicated that the town is doing well, but could be doing better.

In response, the council voted to pursue the hiring of a economic development coordinator, a new half-time position intended to market the town and spread the word about all that is happening here. "There's a lot more out there we could do to be business friendly and reach out to the businesses," council President Paul M. Rodrigues said after the presentation by the Providence-based group. Despite its reputation as "the shopping center of Aquidneck Island," some have said Middletown can be a difficult town in which to do business. McAuliffe said based on his group's findings, including interviews with local business people and officials, there is merit to those assertions. For example, he said while Middletown offers tax incentives for businesses looking to grow, Mayforth couldn't find one business that had used the benefit. And the one business owner the firm found that expressed an interest in the program found the whole process far too confusing and eventually gave up, according to McAuliffe. Having a go-to person for economic development could help clear up some of those issues, McAuliffe said, along with an in-depth review of the rules governing those tax breaks.

Also, with everything that's happening virtually year-round in Newport, McAuliffe said Middletown could do more to capitalize on those events, be it through spin-off festivals, shows and the like. As for the sewer situation, McAuliffe said if unchecked the problem could have a greater impact on the region's economy. Toward that end, he said Mayforth would be seeking additional money to assist with a study of the Easton's Bay area off Easton's Beach in Newport and Atlantic Beach in Middletown to help target and correct the problem. The town also must work more to hold onto the firms it has - particularly in the defense-related fields - and grow its relationships with the Navy and congressional delegation. Still, despite all the suggestions, McAuliffe said Middletown was doing quite well economically and was far ahead of other communities for at least having such a conversation.
"You have a nice niche and people love the quality of life here," McAuliffe said.

MIDDLETOWN TOWN COUNCIL

When: Monday night.

Where: Town Hall, 350 East Main Road.

Action: Approved a $262,480 contract for the overhaul of the 45 worst catch basins in town, at the recommendation of Councilman Robert J. Sylvia. Council Vice President Shirley R. Mello recused herself from the vote, citing a possible conflict of interest related to a family business.

- Postponed a vote on setting a price for 'pay-as-you-throw' trash bags and the size of the barrels until its next
meeting.

Next meeting: Tuesday, Sept. 4, 7 p.m., Town Hall.