Editor’s Note: This story is part of a month-long series that highlights 31 ideas included in the “Mansfield Rising” plan. The 67-page document was created by 15 local leaders after attending the South by Southwest Conference last March in Austin, Texas.
Idea 18: Create a new business concierge position
MANSFIELD — The ‘Mansfield Rising’ plan proposes the creation of a business concierge position.
Someone in this role would recruit new businesses to downtown Mansfield and be dedicated to help those companies with their needs.
The business concierge would act as a general contractor and help step-by-step to find solutions for both start-ups and existing businesses. He or she would assist with requirements, regulations, permits, ordinances, funding and available sites and buildings. That individual would be a liaison to the codes and permits department.
When recruiting businesses to locate in downtown, it would be this person’s responsibility to insure a good mix and variety. Success would be based on the number of new businesses established each year.
The notion is that a variety of new businesses would increase foot traffic and a need for downtown housing, which in turn would increase population and have a positive impact on the tax base.
To further help new businesses that are considering moving into downtown Mansfield, the plan suggests listing step-by-step instructions for a particular type of business on the city of Mansfield website. This might include ‘how to establish a restaurant,” “how to establish a daycare,” or “how to establish a retail shop.”
Down the road, an expanded city concierge department with volunteers would be able to help visitors interested in moving here with their various needs, such as housing, employment and entertainment. Volunteers could act as ambassadors for the City of Mansfield. Volunteers could be incorporated similar to how SCORE maximizes its capabilities in this way.
The plan notes that places like Columbus and Delaware, Ohio, as well as Dubai, already have business concierges. Dubai, the plan explains, has an interactive online concierge named Rashid, who helps businesses, residents and tourists.
The process of creating a business concierge position could start with a conversation with the City of Mansfield and the Economic Development director to discuss the possibility of housing it within the city and how this would impact the city’s organizational chart. The new position/department needs further support from other city employees and could include comprehensive customer service training for employees who interest current and potential business owners.
Join us for a live discussion of the “Ideas of March” series and the “Mansfield Rising” plan on Thursday, April 4.
Cost: Estimated salary for a business concierge is $45,000 to $65,000. Other costs include website and digital assets, which might cost between $10,000 and $15,000.
Partners: City of Mansfield’s economic development office, Richland County Foundation, SCORE, Richland Area Chamber of Commerce and Richland Community Development Group.
Timeline: The anticipated timeline is between six months to one year.
