Loomio
Thu 19 Feb 2015 12:29AM

EforALL 2-18-2015

MM Mike McLaughlin Public Seen by 135

Idle, unused real estate. Low interest or no interest funding to bring properties up to code so properties can be used. (Lowell Makes). Elevator retrofits. Most buildings do not have ada compliant elevators and it can run upwards of $250k.

Urban Hydroponic Farm. Broader definition of farming. No tax advantages for this type of farming, so we need wider consideration for that kind of farming.

Getting the attention of elected officials.

Food trucks - Difficulties in setting up in a new location. Local regulations on what to sell and where, varies considerably by town. State may need to intercede.

Mobile barbershop has also run in to regulatory issues.

Governor Baker had promised eliminating the registration fee for setting up a business.

10 year tax free status for all start-up businesses.

More methods to connect to each other and to resources.

Easing of regulations and rules should not be limited to Gateway Cities. There should be a pilot program to allow companies to apply to the State to ease restriction at a municipal level. Allow for a fast track program for start-ups. A model could be the Biotech sector. Why not make this a universal approach.

If you were laid off and want to start a company, you cannot claim unemployment. In most states, that is not the case. this discourages innovation.

Health insurance is contigent on emplyment and it is therefore a challenge to anyone who wants to build something themselves.

Unemployment services website is terrible.

To start a company, you don't even know what you don't know. We need a simplified and condensed version of all of the staeps that you need to do to files taxes, found your compnay, hire your employees, etc.

SK

Steve Kelly Thu 19 Feb 2015 3:18AM

Mike, I really think all these things are great. Can you expand on what you mean by:

Low interest or no interest funding to bring properties up to code so properties can be used.

KJ

Kamal Jain Sun 8 Mar 2015 4:59PM

@stevekelly I believe that was one of my comments at this gathering here in Lowell.

There is a lot of vacant commercial and mixed-use space in downtown Lowell that is not viable because of things like ADA compliance and the need for an elevator (for example). Elevators are tremendously expensive, and when combined with other build costs, in low median-income and low-rent areas, it becomes a blocker for developers.

Many of the properties were financially viable at one time, and have now fallen so far out of required code that it becomes a chicken-or-egg conundrum. Some European cities have found success in creating loan or grant pools to bring old buildings up to code and make them economically productive rather than leave them idle. This also reduces or eliminates the chilling effect of high vacancy rates and the oft-accompanying blight of broken windows, graffiti, etc.