Small Business Committee, May 13, 2025

May 13

Committee Members: Mayor Diana Nelson, chair. Council members Mark Haake and Joy Bennett.

A Small Business Owner’s Experience

Lacy Alfrey shared some insight into the experience of being a small business owner in the city. She owns This’N’That Consignments and will be moving south on Main Steet to a new location. Her experience getting through the steps of making some changes to the new space could have been made much smoother.

The group discussed some of the things that might help:

Could we figure out a system that notifies cities when people apply for EINs or file paperwork for leases or property purchases? There’s no good, simple way to do it. Things go through an array of systems: County auditor, Ohio Business Gateway, Landlords (have to report who they rent to), occupancy permits, Ohio Secretary of State, Vendor licensing for sales tax - Warren county or through the OBG, utilities setup.
Community resources - Rick Boyle, Creative Contracting helped Ms. Alfrey with architects and engineers. The city staff cannot recommend specific professionals.
Staff shared the new business resource page we worked on last year, and Lacy agreed to review it and give us feedback on it.

*Banner image promoting the Mason Small Business Resource Guide*

Discussed how to identify new-to-this people at the window. Add a card to the document and add a comment/question on the application
New permitting process online rolls out soon. Could offer additional info in this form/page.

Small Business Grants

Duke Energy awarded City of Mason a grant for small businesses. The city can decide what the grants are for and Foundation will administer it - possibly. Announcement happens Thursday at Sinclair at the Small Business Expo. “Mason Small Business Grant Award”. Mayor Nelson will make sure that staff gets all the information. We will discuss criteria at our next meeting.

Houston Inn Sign

Planning Commission approved their occupancy permit. The sign was originally allowed as a non-conforming use that had been grandfathered in. However, that allowance expired when the business was completely closed for years. The team discussed the option to remount the sign lower to the ground and will grant variance for it to be over the allowed height. (Similar treatment to Mason Bowl.)

Community Impact Award

Community Impact Award - promotion happening in Centerpoint and on imaginemason.org now!

Will promote the award at a challenge table at the annual luncheon. August 1 is the nomination deadline. If you submit a nomination and show proof, you can get a gift card from one of last year’s winning businesses.

Joy Bennett

Joy Bennett is a marketing and communications strategist and founder of Jumpstart Marketing. Since 1998, she has assisted businesses, entrepreneurs, and nonprofits to scale their businesses using smart strategy and clear compelling communication. She advises clients on how to connect with their audiences in the most effective and efficient ways.

https://www.jumpstartmarketing.com