RRP_Northampton_SME_Request_Recruit_BusinessesRRP Rubric for Proposed Project*
Last Updated 6/8/2021
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Project Title
Initiative to recruit additional businesses to Downtown Northampton
Origin
City of Northampton
Academy of Music (Tourism Anchor)
Downtown Northampton Association
Historic Northampton
Location/Census Tract
Downtown Northampton (See map attached)
Budget & Sources of Funding
Budget: Medium ($50-200k)
Sources of Funding: TBD
Timeframe
Short (Less than 5 years)
Risks
Medium
Financial limitations
Level of Interest
Key Performance Indicators
# New Businesses / # served by program
DEI
Diversity of new businesses
Businesses owned by traditionally underserved populations
Partners & Resources
Greater Northampton Chamber of Commerce
Downtown Northampton Association
City of Northampton Planning & Sustainability and Mayor's Office
Valley Community Development Corp.
1-2 small businesses ("success stories")
Diagnostic/ COVID-19 Impacts
Diagnostic: 41% decrease in foot traffic as a result of the pandemic
Diagnostic: 15 vacant storefronts totaling approximately 103,144 square feet
Business Survey: 76% of business survey respondents (n=82) felt the recruitment of additional businesses to downtown was either important or very important
Community Members/Focus Groups: Desire from community and other businesses to recruit locally with a focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as to balance the recent influx
of marijuana businesses coming to town.
Action Item
Ensure capacity of stakeholder/partner to oversee initiative
Emphasize the strengthening of local entrepreneurship
Incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion in the project
Maintain an inventory of available spaces for lease
Maintain 1-2 businesses who can serve as "success stories" for inspiration and coaching
Maintain opportunities for in-person and online programming/resources
Process
Planning/Engagement
Evaluate capacity of stakeholder organization to oversee Initiative
Conduct ongoing engagement with a diverse coalition of community stakeholders, centering those on the margin, to create space for continuous feedback loops
Development/Fundraising
Establish clear processes and staffing of overseeing organization
Develop programmatic curriculum, Including a plan of action for at-risk participants
Secure funding for at least start-up and year 1 with a clearly defined pathway to recurring funding
Establish brick and mortar location for hosting on-site Implementation
Implementation/Programming
Offer regular office hours and guided consultations
Create a digital portal for online resources
Monitoring/Evaluation
Maintain a routine cadence of program monitoring and evaluation, assessing efficacy (see KPIs)