Town Council Plans 'Business Outreach Tour'

Town council plans to launch a "business outreach tour" in an effort to foster an ongoing dialogue with local merchants. 

Mayor Stacey Jordan said the idea first came to her when she spoke before members of the Moorestown Business Association (MBA) in the spring, after which she wrote herself a note to "meet with two businesses a week."

The idea was put on the backburner while Jordan's own business kept her occupied for much of the summer, but after receiving very positive feedback from fellow council members when she brought up the idea at last week's meeting, the initiative is back on the table.

"Businesses are such a huge part of Moorestown," she said. "I just want businesses to feel like they're welcome and they're a part of the community. And I think they do. But I want to keep that feeling."

Though no meetings have yet been set, the vision is that two council members will visit with a business—arranged ahead of time—and engage in a discussion about "what Moorestown is doing right—or wrong—when it comes to the current business climate in town," according to a release from the mayor's office. 

"It's not like I can promise to make all their problems go away," Jordan said. "But at least we're aware of the issues."

MBA president Mark Morgan praised council for being proactive and said anything that can help improve the relationship between the township and the business community is "a wonderful idea."

"I can't imagine any (business) owner turning down that opportunity," he said. "I know they'll have lots to tell them."

Morgan said business owners come to him often with various concerns/complaints: tree roots causing sidewalks to buckle, signage issues, problems acquiring permits, etc.

"I'm sure the business owners will appreciate (speaking to council)," he said. 

Jordan acknowledged that there is a perception, by some, that Moorestown bogs down business owners with too much red tape. But she doesn't believe the township's procedures and regulations are really any different from other communities. 

"But if we can take that perception away, that's a good thing," she added. "I want to see us bolster the town’s support for economic development and business growth even further."

If you are a business owner or manager in Moorestown and would like to have members of town council visit your business, email Mayor Jordan at sjordan@moorestown.nj.us.