(Atlantic) The Atlantic City Council tabled a decision to extend the contract with “Retail Coach” at Wednesday’s City Council meeting.
Retail Coach is a consulting firm that municipalities hire to recruit retail and restaurant employees. They rely on data to determine what retail outlets and restaurants would best suit the market in a particular area. The City hired Retail Coach two years ago to help with retail recruitment and development in Atlantic.
Earlier this week, the three-member Personnel and Finance Committee voted unanimously to recommend extending the contract. Committee Chair Elaine Otte admitted that if this had come up for a vote five weeks ago, she would have voted against it. However, she noted some recent developments that changed her mind.
Atlantic City Councilman Gerald Brink said the City would ask for modifications of the contract at $15,000 for fiscal year 2024, with a $5,000 payment now and two more payments of $5,000 paid in increments every three months, with a review at each pay period.
Councilman Mike McDermott delayed the decision until both parties agreed on the City’s contract proposal. City Councilman Dana Halder stated that the company has had two years to bring a business to the community.
Atlantic Mayor Grace Garrett stated that for $15,000, who will it be if it isn’t Retail Coach?
Kyle Cofer, a representative from Retail Coach, attended the Atlantic City Council meeting via Zoom on March 6. He highlighted four prospects interested in coming to Atlantic. He added that they are working with property owners in town to determine their willingness to sell specific properties to prospective retailers and restaurants. Cofer stated Retail Coach has been working with an expanding upscale convenience store for five or six months. Cofer said they received word last week that the company had found a site.
