Holly Downtown Development Authority rejects survey funding request

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Holly DDA board members, Jeann...

HOLLY, Michigan – Budget reductions and a prior financial commitment of $4,500 to the ongoing Village Office reuse study are to blame for Holly’s Downtown Development Authority Board of Directors’ decision to not fund the proposed Economic Development Task Force market research survey.

In September, the Holly Area Economic Development Task Force was born – a group of concerned area citizens from throughout the community, interested in identifying ways to help spur economic development not only in the village, but also in the township.

Charged with leading the group, Holly Township Trustee Janet Leslie enlisted the help of resident Ryan Bladzik, owner/principal of Great Lakes Creative Marketing and Communications in developing a market research survey.

Bladzik, who volunteered his professional services to the cause, said the 37-question marketing survey covers a wide assortment of  demographic categories, including employment, consumer habits, dining habits, opinions and attitudes, lifestyle information, media and information and activities and hobbies, giving area businesses and organizations key information in spurring economic growth.

In February, the Holly Area Chamber of Commerce agreed to allow the EDTF use of its copier for the 2,000 surveys. In turn, the EDTF asked the DDA to fund the $1,700 necessary for postage and self-addressed stamped envelopes for the mailing.

After removing the issue from the table during the March 8 DDA Board of Directors meeting, board member Jeannie Montooth said, “In our dire straights of no money, little money and $1,700 and other bills, I suggest we don’t fund it,” she said. “I’m going to vote no.”

John Winglemire, DDA Board chairman for said in addition to the DDA’s commitment to help fund the Village Office reuse study, he worried about possible DDA budget cuts, and asked Village Manager Marsha Powers to bring the board up to speed.

“It was discussed at the last council budget work session that the council may look to the DDA to help the council balance our budget this year,” Powers said. “We’re looking at as many as three layoffs, and a $277,000 proposed budget deficit for 2010-2011, so there was talk that maybe the DDA would forego the 100 percent of the tax capture into your DDA fund and look to let the general fund of the village use some,” she added. “Other communities do that.”

Winglemire asked Powers for specific DDA budget cut figures.

“They said something about $50,000 to $60,000, but no amount was committed to because we’re still in all those budget discussions,” she said.

Before making his decision, board member Marty Lorenz asked if the surveys would be individually numbered, if it would be known where the specific surveys are coming from, and when the board could expect the surveys, data research and analysis to be completed.

Bladzik said the surveys could certainly be numbered, and that certain questions on the survey would allow analysts to determine from what part of the community the survey came. Additionally, Bladzik said he hoped to have the surveys back within six weeks time and the report in the hands of board members no later than Memorial Day. “If we can get it done sooner, I’m all for that,” Bladzik added.

Lorenz said he thought the postage cost could be reduced by requiring the survey taker to be required to provide the necessary return postage. “To cut the cost – make them mail it back,” Lorenz said. “If someone isn’t willing to spend 44 cents then I really don’t care what they think.”

Powers reminded DDA board members that the ongoing Urban Resource Alliance study on the Village Offices also will include demographic information. “There’s a lot of that information that’s in the survey that they’re putting together that you will get as a final report from the study,” she said. Powers said Urban Resource Alliance hopes to have the study wrapped up by May 1.

Lorenz moved to provide the EDTF with partial funding of $400, and fellow board member Jim Hilty seconded the motion.

“What advantage does this study give to us that we haven’t already had before us?” board member Lisa Clark asked.

Winglemire admitted he didn’t know. “Probably not a lot,” he said. “The thing that bothers me is that we didn’t – we weren’t in on it at the beginning,” he said. “They just did it and now they want some money from us, and it’s not in our budget,” he added. “I’m a little leery of it.”

“I honestly think if we have to make up this $4,500 for the Village Offices, I’m not entirely certain at this point that we can afford to do it,” Clark said. “Everything is cut so badly and while I think it would be wonderful and I thank them for the idea and the fact that they could do it so economically, I don’t think I would vote for it.”

In a vote of 4-3, the EDTF request was denied with Lorenz, Hilty and Kel Leigh Coale casting the three votes favoring funding.

On Tuesday, Leslie explained her disappointment in the DDA’s decision. “I’m not nearly as disappointed in the DDA board’s decision to not help fund the survey as I am in the DDA chairman’s statement that the DDA was not in on the creation of the survey itself,” Leslie said. “Their own former DDA director was instrumental in the formation of the EDTF, in the decision to create a survey, and in the early discussions of what questions to include in the survey,” she added. “It’s a shame the board is not aware of the good work their own director was doing, and it’s a bigger shame that they do not share her passion for this project.”

Bladzik was equally disappointed. “I am disappointed that the DDA board opted not to support the activities of the EDTF,” he said. “Although the economic conditions require everyone to be budget-conscious, it was especially disappointing that the board spent nearly twice as much time discussing actions and expenditures that serve to enhance their own businesses instead of partnering on a highly discounted project that would have furthered their organization and the Holly community at large,” he added. “Nevertheless, I’m encouraged by the widespread support the EDTF has among residents, business owners and community leaders, and I look forward to continuing to help the EDTF strengthen the entire community and build a bright future for Holly.”