By Eric Parry
DERRY — The downtown's empty storefronts could soon become filled as town officials look to create a committee to help attract businesses.
The town hired RKG Associates, a Durham-based marketing firm that studied the downtown last year. The company's recommendations included creating more parking and improving signage. The committee of residents, business owners and town officials would take these recommendations and develop a plan to make them become a reality, Town Councilor Brent Carney said.
"These are things brought up not only by shoppers but by shop owners downtown," he said.
Stuart Arnett of Arnett Development Group said town officials are planning a meeting with local state legislators for next month to make sure the town is being promoted to businesses looking to relocate.
Arnett was hired in September on a 10-month, $50,000 contract to market three town-owned properties downtown and those in a tax increment financing district created by the town along Route 28 in September to help boost economic development. The town can pay for improvements using tax money generated in the district.
"We're laying down the foundation so when the economy comes back, we'll be ready," Councilor Brian Chirichiello said.
At least two real estate agents have expressed interest in the hundreds of acres available on Route 28, north of Crystal Avenue.
"If these two parties can come in, there's less space that we need to be marketing," Carney said.
Chirichiello said the town is still negotiating easements with some property owners. Work to widen the road from two lanes to five is expected to start in the spring.
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