Influx of business sparks idea to be proactive on the council level
The goal is “foot traffic,” said Michele Vallone, the chair of the Harrison Township Economic Development Council.
The EDC has spent many meetings this year brainstorming ideas of how to bring more people from the community and outside through the doors of local businesses.
Since the start of 2018, Harrison Township has welcomed a new fitness center, physical therapy locations, a foot and ankle specialist and even a glass blowing location. Coming to town soon is a hospital (November 2019) and a liquor store, and Naples Pizza is renovating for the addition of a bar as Mullica Hill is saying goodbye to its time as a dry location.
As a way to support these new businesses and to continue to market the existing, the EDC developed a social media presence as a platform to spread the word as far as possible.
A Facebook page is in the works and will be up and running in the coming weeks. Rather than approach social media without a plan, Vallone said the team hopes the page will serve as a place to advertise upcoming events, sales and anything else related to the ongoing success of local businesses.
According to a recent Forbes article, more than 50 million U.S. businesses are using Facebook pages, and with the updated messenger capability, customers are given another communication outlet with them.
The EDC hopes its page will serve as a further source of information and communication to attract customers into local shops.
In the way of future business coming to town, Vallone is optimistic but did mention, “I’m always at the Deptford Mall,” stating she thinks Harrison first, but sometimes a trip out of the township is inevitable. While the area has a little of everything, she mentioned an influx of retail shops for clothing and groceries may be beneficial. Citing the local ShopRite as a valuable asset to the community, Vallone feels there is always room for more.
“There is a lot surrounding the area,” she said referring to places such as Wegmans and Trader Joe’s for groceries are up the road in Cherry Hill and north.
While the Richwood project on Routes 322 and 55 is potentially on the horizon, the details are very much under wraps. Talk of a nation-leading retail store such as Walmart and Costco has been mentioned for the complex.
However the EDC is more focused on local businesses and is continuing, as previously reported, on developing a long, comprehensive list of merchants in the area.
The list, containing more than 400 vendors, will be available in the coming months at the Mullica Hill Branch Library. It can be assessed through a system called Reference USA, a public information data provider that will be free to access. The group plans to place the information on the Harrison Township website as well.
The group hopes this ever-growing list will provide transparency in local business and allot residents and visitors an overview of area business options.
In other news:
The council is looking for two part-time members to join the EDC.
“We are looking for energetic leaders in the town,” Vallone said.
Contact Vallone at Michele.vallone@newfieldnationalbank.com.
