Ward 3 Candidates Question of the Week: Promoting New Business

Voters will head to the polls on Tuesday, March 13, for a citywide vote to decide who will represent Gulfport City Council in Wards 3 and 1.

To help inform the community, Gulfport Patch will publish a City Council Candidate Question of the Week for both candidates.

Below you will find the answers from Ward 3 Candidates James Perry and Jennifer Salmon.

Gulfport Patch Question of the Week: How can the city and its leaders help lure new business to Gulfport?

James Perry

"In my 30+ years of self employment, the most successful ways that I have found to create more business is byincreased advertisement or by personal reference "word of mouth." I believe if we provide a safe city, affordable business space, whether rental or long term purchase, and a flexible planning and zoning board, our reputation will draw additional businesses to this city.  

"Below find a few suggestions for our community:  

"We have a beautiful marina that is not currently at full capacity. It is my understanding that we have a full-time Harbormaster (who) manages the marina. Would it be profitable for our harbormaster to look into reaching out to charter boat captains, dive boats, scenic boat tours and wave runner rental as an additional source of income to the marina?  

"We also have a beautiful Casino for weddings, receptions, and other social events.  I believe additional advertising would increase the number of events and keep our Casino full every weekend of the month.  

"Our Recreation Center offers Resident and Non-Resident fees. Possible reduction of non-resident fees may increase attendance. Also, "Teen Night" on Friday or Saturday nights have always been popular in the past.  

"Increase the number of annual events with the suggestion of a seafood fest, rib fest and/or International food fest, which may entice additional vendors.  

"Additional advertising i.e. Cable TV, mobile electronic signs on Gulfport Blvd. advertising and promoting upcoming City events and increasing attendance.

"Creation of a small business development committee comprised of business owners and residents to discuss concerns and suggestions for improvements.  

"I feel that Gulfport has much to offer to small businesses and by working together we should be able to build a strong, safe city to live and work."

Jennifer Salmon

"We are working to lure businesses to Gulfport by increasing customers and also making it easier for businesses to get started.

"For example we are already working to:

1. Make 49th Street safe for new business through problem-oriented policing and keeping our local police.
2. Apply for federal Brownfields funds to help commercial property owners clean up lots on 49th street so they can be sold or leased to clean businesses.
3. Increase boaters but protect our beachgoers by building a small mooring field for 24 short-stay sailboats located away from the regular swimming area.
4. Earn a green city designation that would attract businesses related to energy efficiency and Florida Friendly or organic landscaping.  http://floridagreenbuilding.org/land-development

"In addition, we could:

1. Become an art city by building on the art walks and develop a reputation for public art in our parks, murals on buildings, art studios, galleries, music and dance.  http://www.floridaleagueofcities.com/News.aspx?CNID=4250
2. The Casino dance hall could be rented for mid-sized events that bring 300+ visitors a day to our waterfront many times a week.
3. Recruit businesses related to our history such as boating and fishing, as well as those that would make life more convenient such as a small medical center, food co-op, and office supplies.
4. Expand the changes we made in the residential areas off of 49th, Beach and Shore Blvds. to allow home businesses in other residential areas to have one non-family employee and one customer at their home during business hours.  
5. Apply for grants or find partners to build entrances to our city from each direction
6. Continue to attract independent businesses on our waterfront and have minimal reliance on chain stores elsewhere.

"Finally, once we give the community development department direction on what we hope to see come to Gulfport, we should give them latitude to negotiate terms with businesses they recruit and reduce some of the hoops but still comply with city ordinances."

Have a question?

If you would like to submit a question for the candidates, email the Editor at cherlene.willis@patch.com.

Editor's Note: The "Question of the Week" for the Gulfport City Council Candidates for Ward 1 will be published in a separate story.