Town of Niagara eyeing commercial district group to aid local businesses

By Timothy Chipp
Town of Niagara officials are hoping to connect with the local business community through a new committee.
Supervisor Sylvia Virtuoso laid out plans on Wednesday for a commercial district group designed to help bridge the gap between lawmakers and businesses. Especially small businesses.
Called the Town of Niagara Business Liaison Committee, 11 member businesses will lead the first incarnation if approved by the Town Board at its upcoming July meeting on Tuesday.
Virtuoso said the town’s business association failed a few years ago because it became focused on activities like fundraising and promoting events. She and a few business leaders looked into reviving the group, but the venture was cost-prohibitive.
“I know how business associations work,” Virtuoso said, calling on decades of experience as a member through her independent business. “(The committee) won’t have anyone building their resume or looking to make a name for themselves. These are all local businesses with vested interest in the business district. And many of them are the owners.”
If the committee is approved, the member businesses will be: The Fashion Outlets of Niagara Falls, USA; Stephanie Neal Insurance; LMG Awards and Trophies; Firth Jewelers; Joe Cecconi Chrysler Complex; American Glass; Tim Hortons; Judi’s Lounge; One Hemp Holistics; Workbea; and Cooper Sign Old Glory Flag.
All but Firth Jewelers have also selected their representative, with Virtuoso explaining Firth has multiple individuals who could represent the business on the committee.
There will be no Town Board involvement on the committee, Virtuoso said, with the primary focus on gathering the business district’s needs and bringing it forth to the board in official capacity during future meetings.
Seeking more involvement from the town’s businesses was one of Virtuoso’s campaign components when she sought the supervisor position this past November. She said she envisions this committee as part of that vision.
Preparing for winter weather
In other Town of Niagara news, Highway Superintendent Richard Sirianni is hoping for support in purchasing a new front-end loader to replace an aging piece of equipment.
“We were lucky it was a mild winter,” Sirianni said. “Or we would’ve had a hard time loading salt.”
The town’s current machine has broken three times since Sirianni started in his position this past autumn after former Highway Superintendent Robert Herman retired.
It would cost the town about $225,000, Sirianni said, and would need to be budgeted for next year. If approved at Tuesday’s meeting, Sirianni said payments wouldn’t begin for an entire year after the purchase is finalized.
Payments would then be made in five annual installments, he added.
The item is not currently budgeted in 2024, and would need to be considered in 2025 and beyond, if approved.
Town officials will consider these and other agenda items at their next meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 16, at Town Hall, 7105 Lockport Road.