The Town supported the creation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee and an Economic Development office to help carry out the work associated with supporting and encouraging commercial investment in the Town. Since that time there has been a wide range of activities undertaken by the staff and volunteers related to furthering the Town’s economic goals.
Lexington’s charming center is home to numerous restaurants and retail establishments. Many of Lexington’s historic attractions are located in the center including the Battle Green, Visitors Center, and historic houses. The Minuteman Commuter Path also runs parallel to the Center which brings visitors from across the region to Lexington. Lexington Center comprises 58 parcels and over 253 businesses.
East Lexington, located along Mass Ave near the Arlington Border, comprises a diverse mix of over 50 businesses including restaurants, retail, farming, and other commercial enterprises.
The Select Board has placed new responsibilities under the purview of the Economic Development office associated with the visitor-based economy as well as making the ED Office the primary point of contact for permit sequencing. Some of the goals for the ED Office in the past year include helping businesses weather and successfully reopen around the pandemic, and planning for an increase in visitors for the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Lexington in 2025.
Some of the initiatives and programs that the Economic Development Office support the businesses during the pandemic and help businesses recover are:
- Step Up for Lexington – The Economic Development Office teamed up with the Lexington Retailer’s Association, the Lexington Chamber of Commerce, and two Lexington High School students to create the “Step Up for Lexington” program. This initiative is an attempt to encourage residents and visitors to shop and dine locally by having them receive a stamp on their card for each purchase and being entered in a weekly raffle.
- Signage for stores with Chamber and LRA – In collaboration with the Retailers Association and the Chamber of Commerce, the Economic Development Office created universal signage for businesses in Town that highlighted what the businesses are expected to do to keep customers safe and provide guidelines for customers entering the establishment.
- Floor Stickers for businesses – To help businesses comply with the social distancing regulations required in the Massachusetts State reopening plan, the Economic Development Office purchased floor stickers for local businesses. The stickers indicate to customers where they should be standing to comply with proper social distancing. Twenty businesses requested stickers.
- Relaxation of signage rules – The Town Manager agreed to relax the signage rules for businesses in Lexington. Sandwich boards and other types of signage that are not typically permitted were allowed to help customers better understand which businesses were open.
- Seating Grain Mill Alley and Parklet – Like years past, the Economic Development Office worked with the Department of Public works to create public seating areas in Grain Mill Alley and the Parklet on Mass Ave. These areas create safe spaces for people to enjoy their take-out and explore the Center.
- Newsletter highlights free resources and webinars for businesses – The Economic Development Office sent out frequent updates to local businesses informing them about free classes and webinars that were being offered about the CARES Act, PPP Loans, marketing during the pandemic, and more.
- What is open map and updates – In March, the Economic Development office created a list of restaurants that were open for Takeout and delivery. The list was updated as more shops and services became available. The list of open businesses is now available on a google map.
- Outreach to essential businesses- Bio and Bike Shops – When the Governor closed non-essential businesses in March, the Economic Development Offices reached out to those businesses that were deemed to be essential to let them know that they could continue to operate. This included bio companies and bike shops.
- Grants and funding assistance – The Economic Development Office assisted more than 100 businesses to receive support from the state relief funds that totaled $4.4 million in direct funding for the businesses. We also received a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) grant of $85,000 which helped microenterprise businesses in Lexington.
- American Rescue Plan Act – The Town received funding under the ARPA and the Select Board has authorized $600,000 through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to be available to the Lexington businesses. An additional $50,000 was distributed to the local non-profit, arts & cultural organizations. The Economic Development Office assisted the Town Manager and Senior Management to distribute these funds to 28 businesses and 6 non-profit organizations.
The Economic Development Office serves as a concierge office to help with all kinds of needs of the businesses for them to thrive and grow in Lexington. We recently released a business toolkit that comprises all tools, tips, and case studies to help businesses navigate the permitting and licensing in Lexington. For more information contact the Economic Development Office located at the Visitors Center.
One Response
Thank you so much. Wonderful information. Appreciate very much. Please let us know if we can be helpful.
Precinct 6 tm
Dr. Dinesh Patel, M.D.
Emeritus Chief of Arthroscopic Surgery
Massachusetts General Hospital
Retired after 54 years
Associate Clinical Professor
Harvard Medical School
781-530-7492 (Mobile)
Dineshknee@gmail.com
Dgpatel1@me.com
22 Brent Road
Lexington mass 02420