Committees

The job of our Economic Vitality Committee is to identify new market opportunities for our downtown business district, find new uses for historic commercial buildings, and stimulate investment in property. The Economic Vitality Committee develops a thorough understanding of the district’s economic condition and its best opportunities, focusing on incremental changes that gradually improve downtown Puyallup’s economic foundation and make large-scale investment possible.

The Economic Vitality Committee’s five major responsibilities are:

• Learning about downtown Puyallup’s current economic condition and identifying opportunities for market growth;
• Strengthening existing businesses and recruiting new ones;
• Finding new economic uses for available Main Street buildings;
• Developing financial incentives and capital for building rehabilitation and business development; and
• Monitoring the economic performance of downtown.

Our Design Committee plays a key role in shaping the physical image of downtown Puyallup as a place attractive to shoppers, investors, business owners, and visitors. To succeed, the committee persuades independent business and property owners and civic leaders to adopt a specific approach—and an ambitious agenda—for physical improvements to buildings, businesses and public improvements by:

• Educating others about good design— enhancing the image of each business as well as that of the downtown;
• Providing good design advice— encouraging quality improvements to private properties and public spaces;
• Advocating for downtown Puyallup’s development— guiding future growth and helping regulations; and
• Motivating others to make changes— creating incentives and targeting key projects.

The Design Committee meetings are TBD, depending on current projects. Please reach out to PMSA if you want to learn more.

The job of our Promotions Committee is to PROMOTE downtown Puyallup as the center of commerce, culture, and community life for our residents and visitors alike. We strive to move beyond the typical “tried-and-true” downtown promotion ideas of yesteryear. We think about promotion in a broader sense and develop new strategies by:

• Understanding the changing market— both potential shoppers and our “competition”;
• Identifying downtown assets —including people, buildings, heritage, and institutions;
• Defining downtown Puyallup’s market niche — its unique “position” in the marketplace; and finally
• Creating NEW image campaigns, retail promotions, and special events to lure people back downtown.

Our Organization (Finance) Committee plays a key role in keeping the board, committees, staff, and work programs in good shape by attracting people and money to our organization. This committee takes responsibility for managing the financial and logistical aspects of the Association by:

• Raising money — for projects and administration, from donations and sponsorships;
• Managing staff and volunteers — by recruiting people, supervising them, and rewarding good work;
• Promoting the program — to downtown interests and the public;
• Managing finances — by developing good accounting procedures.