Dedicated Recruitment Staff Draws Businesses Downtown

May 6, 2013 - PRLog -- Attracting retail to the city center is easier with staff dedicated to that mission. In York, PA, a creative funding solution has allowed Downtown Inc. to hire a recruitment specialist, and retailers are moving downtown.

"We are a 28-year-old Main Street organization and BID so we are sort of a hybrid, which affords us a sustainable income," says Sonia Huntzinger, executive director.

"But one key component that was missing was somebody actively out recruiting new businesses, to tell the story of revitalization efforts downtown. We went to our city, our philanthropic organizations, our countywide economic development council, and the convention and visitors bureau and partnered to pull together a salary for three years."

After 22 months on the job, the downtown's business development liaison has made over 300 recruiting visits,developed recruitment materials, helped new businesses locate space, and fast-tracked them through the permitting process.

Additional information on this successful retail recruitment program appears in the May issue of Downtown Idea Exchange.

About the Downtown Research & Development Center

For over 50 years, the Downtown Research & Development Center has acted as the information clearinghouse on practical strategies and tactics for revitalizing the hearts of our cities and towns.

The Group's main activities include publishing the widely influential "Downtown Idea Exchange" and "Downtown Promotion Reporter" newsletters; publishing relevant books and reports; and operating the DowntownDevelopment.com website.

Website: http://www.DowntownDevelopment.com