This committee combines both events and marketing for Downtown Somerville.

Purpose of the Promotion Committee
The job of the Promotion Committee is to PROMOTE Downtown Somerville as the heart of commerce, culture, and community life for residents and visitors alike. As Somerville continues to change, this committee will think about promotion in a broader sense and develop new strategies by:

• Understanding the changing market – both potential shoppers and our “competition”.
• Defining Downtown Somerville’s market niche- it’s unique “position” in the marketplace.
• Identifying downtown assets, including people, buildings, heritage, and businesses.
• Continue to build on successful events and work to create new events/promotions that provide a wide demographic appeal.
• All activities above are done in partnership with the DSA Board of Directors and other committees.

Committee Goals
The Promotion Committee works with the Borough of Somerville, the DSA Executive Director and staff, County Agencies, local businesses, and property owners to facilitate a positive "image" of the downtown Business District that will help retain, promote, and attract downtown business and residents. The Promotion Committee will attract visitors and residents to the district and encourage them to spend money and time in our community through advertising, in-store collaborative promotions, newsletters, websites, social media and press releases. The Promotion Committee will focus on Board approved signature events such as the annual summer events, Central Jersey Jazz Festival and Holiday Jubilee.

Committee Responsibilities
The Promotion Committee’s responsibilities specifically include the following:

• Direct retail promotions and traffic-building activities for the downtown.
• Monitor community and consumer perceptions of the downtown and seek to understand and reverse negative attitudes and build upon positive ones.
• Allocate funds for promotional activities in accordance with the DSA annual work plan and budget.
• Work toward building new sources of funding for a portion of the program’s total annual budget.
• Monitor the effectiveness of promotional programs on an ongoing basis.
• Build a strong network of volunteers to help implement promotional programs and establish good working relationships with community organizations, charities, school clubs and other groups that might participate in promotional activities.
• Work to ensure a consistent, high-quality image in signs, advertisements and other graphic material associated with the Main Street program.
• Establish a sound working relationship with local and regional media.

Meetings
For updated meeting times, please e-mail the DSA office at info@downtownsomerville.com.

Purpose of the Economic Vitality Committee
The job of the Economic Vitality Committee is to identify new market opportunities for the downtown district, help existing businesses to thrive and expand and stimulate investment in property.

The committee must develop a thorough understanding of the district’s economic condition and its best opportunities, focusing on incremental change that improves the downtowns’ economic foundation, leading to long term investment and growth.

Committee Goals
The Economic Vitality Committee works with the Borough of Somerville, the DSA Executive Director and staff, local businesses, and property owners to facilitate the economic initiatives of the DSA in order to retain, promote, and attract downtown business investment. This committee focuses on existing and new businesses, converting unused/under-utilized space into economically productive property, boosting the profitability of the district and developing a long term economic development plan.

• Work to strengthen existing downtown businesses and to recruit additional businesses through the development of business ambassador teams; sponsorship of business seminars; identification of downtown market opportunities; dissemination of relevant information to existing and potential businesses.
• Monitor changes in the local market on an ongoing basis; assess the downtown’s market share within the community and the region; measure the involvement of various market groups in downtown commerce; monitor sales leakage or surplus; and assess the downtown’s mix of retail, commercial, residential, and public space.
• Direct activity related to downtown commercial and real estate development.
• Allocate funds for downtown economic development activities in accordance with the DSA’s annual work plan and budget.
• Conduct and maintain a comprehensive inventory of downtown businesses.
• Become familiar with municipal, county and regional economic development strategies and coordinate projects when possible, utilizing economic development programs already in place and investigating the creation of new programs when appropriate.
• Promote the downtown as a good place for commercial and real estate development activity.
• Establish a sound working relationship with local and regional financial institutions, business assistance organizations and other businesses and agencies that provide assistance in areas related to downtown economic development.

Meetings
For updated meeting times, please e-mail the DSA office at info@downtownsomerville.com.

Purpose of the Design Committee
The Design Committee plays a key role in shaping the physical image of the downtown as a place that is attractive to shoppers, investors, business owners, and visitors, through a variety of place making programs. The committee provides recommendations to the Downtown DSA Board of Trustees with regard to short and long term programs.

Committee Goals
The Design Committee works with the Borough of Somerville, the DSA Executive Director and staff, as well as downtown businesses and property owners to facilitate a positive visual image of Downtown Somerville that will enhance our thriving, vibrant community center. The Design Committee will focus on downtown aesthetics and appearance, working on matters such as way-finding signage, attractive window displays, parking areas, street furniture, sidewalks, and landscaping. The Design Committee will instill good maintenance practices within the district and work with the appropriate municipal departments to achieve goals.

• Cleaning and Maintenance
• Landscaping and Flower Planting
• Holiday and Seasonal Lighting
• Flags
• Public Amenities
  • Tables/chairs/umbrellas
  • Benches
  • Planters
  • Trash Receptacles
  • Cigarette Urns

Meetings
For updated meeting times, please e-mail the DSA office at info@downtownsomerville.com.