The recently approved economic revitalization plan recommends ways to make Twisp’s downtown more appealing and conducive to a strong local economy.
To complement that plan, TwispWorks is proposing an “economic summit” to provide guidance on what kinds of businesses Twisp needs and can support.
Don Linnertz, TwispWorks executive director, said he wants to partner with Twisp to bring in a consultant this summer to meet with property owners, business owners and residents to develop a plan for increasing economic activity in Twisp.
Linnertz planned to attend the Twisp Council meeting on Tuesday (June 13) to request $3,000, which would be matched by TwispWorks, to begin a series of meetings with property owners, small business operators and residents.
The funding would also pay for a consultant to provide technical assistance aimed at boosting commercial activity. The consultant would conduct a one-day session with town officials, property and business owners, and residents, to provide practical guidance on ways to increase economic vitality.
The consultant would also be available to meet individually with property owners to discuss building redevelopment, improvements and management, according to a proposal prepared for TwispWorks.
“The consultant will talk about how to leverage resources, identify assets and liabilities,” Linnertz said. “This is more sharply focused on a retail strategy for Twisp. What are the gaps? Where is money leaking out of our economy?”
Based on the outcome of the consultant’s work and other information on economic revitalization, TwispWorks would complete a report by December 2017 with recommendations on how to boost the local economy, Linnertz said.
