The Northfield Downtown Development Corp. (NDDC) will present its monthly Downtown Forum on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2007, with a panel discussion that examines the retail vitality of Downtown Northfield in the wake of the recent closing of Las Delicias on Division Street.

Among the topics to be covered: rental rates, the community’s responsibility to businesses and businesses’ responsibility to the community, high property taxes, the cost of maintaining and expanding historic buildings, the viability of available financial tools and how downtown can function as a business incubator for the larger community.

Guest experts will include store owner Lee Lansing, restaurant owner Norman Butler and building owner Victor Summa.

The Downtown Forum is held at 8 a.m. the first Tuesday of every month in the lower-level conference room of the Archer House, Third and Division streets. The public is welcome, and refreshments will be served.