Glenburn looks to attract businesses

Glenburn officials will meet with an economic development consultant on Thursday to discuss opportunities for attracting new businesses and to assess housing needs within the town.

Glenburn is in the midst of examining whether the community wants to increase the size of its business community and, if so, what type of businesses the town should target, according to Town Manager Michael Crooker.

The Town Council has formed an economic development committee but is still looking for members, Crooker said. In the meantime, the council has recruited economic development consultant Ron Harriman to assist the town.

Town Council members will hold a workshop with Harriman at 6 p.m. Thursday before the council’s 7 p.m. regular meeting. Both meetings are open to the public.

Crooker said the council and Harriman hope to look at the town’s land base and determine whether there are areas that could support additional industry. Industry could help lower the tax burden on property owners but the town is limited because of lack of infrastructure.

The other big question is what Glenburn residents want to see in their town, Crooker said. Thursday’s meeting will be just part of a larger discussion of the issue over the coming months.

“There may be a good percentage of people who are happy with Glenburn being a bedroom community,” Crooker said.

Council members also hope to complete revisions to Glenburn’s land use ordinance.

Anyone interested in serving on Glenburn’s new economic development committee should contact Michael Crooker at 942-2905.

Other items on Thursday’s Town Council agenda include bid openings on tax-acquired property at 2723 Ohio Street and council discussions with town attorney Roger Huber regarding land-use enforcement issues.