Crafton business-development pilot reports realtor outreach, seeks resources for 2026 objectives

The Crafton Planning Commission said on Oct. 28 that a business-development pilot produced a directory, a start-up kit for small businesses and a second networking event that attracted realtors and property owners.

Commissioners said the pilot was run with minimal funding and staff time but yielded useful contacts and exposure for local businesses. "We had our second event at the Realty Co in the shopping center, and it was different, but very good," one commissioner said, noting the presence of the shopping-center owner and the plaza's real-estate broker.

Members discussed next steps to continue momentum in 2026: create a concise punch list of resource needs (time, talent, and money), identify specific pilot activities that need funding and propose a limited council ask, and consider an intern to help maintain outreach and data collection. One commissioner asked Mike, the borough economic development employee, and committee members to produce a short set of recommended items for the commission to review at the next meeting.

Several commissioners emphasized that business development should be a commissionwide conversation rather than delegated to a small subgroup. The commission also discussed working with council to earmark modest staff or budget support to sustain the pilot's work and to integrate business development into next year's objectives.

There were no formal votes or funding commitments at the meeting. Commissioners asked staff to draft potential funding requests and a short list of priorities to present at the next meeting before any recommendation to council.