| Tweet |
DAVE MYERS
THE OUTSIDER
1. 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?
The Town of Hilton Head Island and it's policies were instrumental in businesses leaving the island in the last decade. Restrictive ordinances, license fees and taxes based on revenue created an atmosphere not conducive to generating a profit large enough to support their existence on the island so they found a more profitable and forgiving place in Bluffton and unincorporated Beaufot Co. That being said, the best plan for the island government to reverse this trend is to get out of the way and allow the remaining establishments to flourish, making a clear statement that the town is "business friendly" and willing to work with owner/operators to help the organizations to survive. This can be done while still maintaining enough control that Hilton Head Island doesn't lose it's natural beauty.
No, the town doesn't need an economic development dept. The town needs to be less involved with the affairs of small business, not more.No, the town doesn't need to identify what business will be "well-suited" to the area, all the town needs to do is set a few parameters to follow and allow the business to decide if they can fit into those parameters. Once it's noticed that Hilton Head Island is a place that small businesses are welcome and profitable they will be lined up waiting to occupy a space in our little bit of paradise.
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 stormwater capture and reuse, energy conservation and building practices. What green and sustainable practices could Hilton Head implement?
Hilton Head Island's status as "not truly green" is subjective and depends on who your having the discussion with. While I know that there are a lot of people in the area that indicate that Hilton Head Island is one of the least "green" places they have ever been in, when I walk out of my house every day I see the most natural place I have ever lived in, with trees everywhere and the roar of the ocean in the background, but there is always room for improvement. The town's role in this should be minimal and restricted to codes for new construction and supplying the means to recycle as the residents feel necessary and comfortable with, utilizing a service provider of their choice. If the town decides to mandate recycling then the single service provider plan needs to be scrapped for something better. As far as other so called "green" endeavors, they would be looked at on a case by case basis and assessed as to the viability of the individual programs. Implementing a program just because it's labeled "green" doesn't mean it's a good idea.
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?
The need for a "larger meeting, convention and/or performing arts facility" has not been demonstrated as far as I can tell and I don't believe in the "if you build it, they will come" philosophy so I'll have to take a wait and see approach to this topic. While I would like to do something to kick start the economy on the island spending money that the town doesn't have will only get Hilton Head Island into more financial difficulties. So, until I can see a definite advantage I would have to oppose such a project.
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?
The town's role in encouraging the development of The Mall at Shelter Cove and Coligny Plaza should be limited to assisting with the proper permits and possibly granting limited term tax breaks to potential new businesses moving to the area. With the tight town budget and the promise that the budget will get even tighter with the lower reassessment of properties on the island, any large monetary assistance from the town would be reckless, should be put off till better financial times and should take the form of a low interest loan.
