Longboat reaches out to businesses on behalf of employees

Lisa Silvertooth, human resources director for the town, is trying to help build a relationship between residents, business owners and town employees.

As part of an employee wellness program begun in 2013, she is reaching out to local businesses to ask for discounts for her employees.

They’ll have an incentive to keep their spending local, and businesses will get more traffic.

She is hoping to enlist everyone from dry cleaners to restaurants, to resorts.

“I’m trying to get businesses to partner with the town and to bring us closer,” Silvertooth said, “and to start to build a relationship …”

In late 2015 Silvertooth extended, as part of the same effort, an invitation to the public to participate in low- or no-cost health programs and classes.

She has already enlisted the help of several local businesses, but hopes to find more who are will to offer a discount.