In recent weeks, a Retail Recruitment project really got off the ground as Austin Farmer, from The Retail Coach, made a trip to Carroll. He was here not only to meet with key stakeholders, but to sit down with local media and explain the process. He says the immediate focus is about 90 days of research and analysis.
Farmer says this is a community-wide initiative that will identify key retail submarkets, including downtown, the Highway 30 corridor and smaller pockets in future development areas. The Retail Coach is working in conjunction with RDG Planning and Design, which will further outline the trade area.
Chamber of Commerce and Carroll Area Development Corporation (CADC) Executive Director, Shannon Landauer, says it is important to note this is not just another study that gathers data and goes no further. This is an action plan for the future and they want everyone to have realistic expectations for the project.
Laundauer asks that people have trust in the six-person oversight committee that will be getting the monthly feedback calls and will determine what can and should be put out to the public. When asked what initiated the project, Landauer says the idea has been visited two times in the past. However, shifting retail demographics as of late, including the closure of J.C. Penney in Carroll, did play a role in determining that now is the time to act.
More information from Farmer and RDG will be made available as they work through the Retail Recruitment project.
