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Many businesses have left Hilton Head over the past decade. What role can the Town of Hilton Head Island play to reverse this trend? Should the Town, for example, establish its own economic development entity, identify business well-suited to the island and take steps to create an environment attractive to those businesses? If so, what steps should be taken?
Yes, I believe the Town should establish an entity to promote economic development that would take steps to identify businesses suited to the Island, recommend actions for creating an environment attractive to those businesses and actively recruiting those businesses. The first step is to make economic development a policy imperative of the Town. We must undertake a comprehensive review and revision of our ordinances and procedures. I believe our current ordinances and procedures unnecessarily discourage private investment, stifle creativity, and reinforce an impression that we are not business-friendly.
2. Hilton Head has a longstanding tradition of environmental preservation, but is not truly “green” by today’s standards. Some have said we should take steps to open the dialogue between Town and County government agencies, utility providers and private-sector entities (such as planned communities) to identify sustainable practices, such as storm water capture and reuse, energy conservation and building practices. What green and sustainable practices could Hilton Head implement?
Adopt a comprehensive recycling program. Conduct energy audits of all Town buildings. Upgrade or retrofit office lighting as necessary. Continue increased use of fuel-efficient vehicles. Continue efforts to reduce quantity of water drawn from aquifers. Continue efforts to improve drainage. Continue efforts to extend availability of central sewer collection and eliminate on-site septic systems. Establish sustainability policy with specific targets or benchmarks. Appoint a citizens committee, commission, or task force dedicated to sustainable practices.
3. Hilton Head has the potential to extend visitation numbers during the offseason by enhancing the island’s business and convention tourism sector. Some have said that we need larger meeting, convention and/or performing arts facilities to enhance such opportunities. Do you agree, and if so, what steps should we take to strengthen our hospitality industry?
I have a concern that a large meeting, convention, or performing arts facility would be underutilized and would require more support than we can provide. I would have to see the business plan.
We should recognize how we all benefit from a healthy and thriving hospitality industry. Visitor spending funds beach re-nourishment and many of our non-profits, such as the Arts Center and the Orchestra, supports our restaurants, and provides a supply of future residents. I believe we must find a way to increase support for promotion and marketing, and we should study ways to make our effort more focused on attracting affluent visitors and businessmen.
4. The Mall at Shelter Cove could be reconfigured as one of the Town’s village centers. Should the Town play a leadership role and work with private-sector entities to determine how village centers such as the The Mall at Shelter Cove and Coligny Plaza area be configured?
I believe that the future of the Shelter Cove Mall site depends on attracting and working cooperatively with a private developer who will make the investment to redevelop the site. We need to identify how we would like to see the site redeveloped, seek appropriate development partners, and work with them to create a quality product at this site. We must be prepared to recognize the need for private investment to be profitable, and we must be willing to be flexible where appropriate. As I have indicated elsewhere, I believe that reform of our codes and procedures is necessary if we are to attract private investment and if we are to allow ourselves the flexibility we will need to work with anyone who may want to invest in the redevelopment and revitalization of our commercial centers and public spaces.
