The Economic Development Division was designed to create a more appealing
business atmosphere and to
compliment and extend the public/private initiatives taking place in
the Special Improvement District. To
this end, the Economic Development Division’s services include
a Façade Improvement Program, Special Events,
Business Relations, and a Business Recruitment & Retention Program.
It's no secret that improved façades add value to commercial
property and can help retain and expand the
customer base. In 1999, the ACSID Façade Improvement Program
was initiated to offer commercial property
owners within the Special Improvement District currently paying the
SID assessment an opportunity to seek
financial help to improve their existing business façades.
The intent of the Façade Program is to provide business owners
with the means to visually enhance and
improve their business environment and encourage private renovation.
The program has the active support
of the Chamber of Commerce, Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
and Atlantic City’s Planning
Department. To date 86 local businesses have benefited from this program.
Special events can have a tremendous impact on the public
perception of a downtown district. Even the most
beautifully manicured public space, if underutilized, can be perceived
as unsafe. To foster awareness of local
businesses and enhance the image of a safer, more family-friendly business
district, in 1999 the Economic
Development Division began holding special events in the business district.
These annual events include
holiday activities, ribbon-cutting ceremonies, new business openings
and festivals.
The impact of this program was immediately visible. Our events have
the active support and participation
of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, Chamber of Commerce,
Metropolitan Business and
Citizens Association, members of City Council, MainStreet Atlantic
City and the Mayor of Atlantic City.
Promotional material is widely circulated, thus sending a positive
message about the business district. Media
coverage has been positive and consistent. The merchants and casinos
in the district consistently support
these events with enthusiasm, in-kind donations and funds. And our
special events bring more people into
the district and their presence serves as a deterrent to crime.
The businesses in the Special Improvement District are a mixture of
old and new, large and small operations,
with numerous distinguishing characteristics. Consequently communications,
information and promotion are
key factors in the revitalization of the district. The goals of the
Economic Development Division’s Business
Support Program include the following:
• To provide local businesses with pertinent information such
as ordinances, demographic data and
government agency contacts;
• Design, produce and distribute promotional literature;
• Develop and distribute a district business directory;
• Host seminars and meetings as support and communication mechanisms;
• Produce and distribute our newsletter, Soundwaves, on biannual basis.
• Weekly distribution to district businesses of the Monday Morning
Memo, which contains information on
district activities
• Management of our Web site, which keeps the public informed of ACSID’s
activities. |
