A new group is set to examine how the city can boost its retail fortunes.

Lawrence Mayor Rob Chestnut has appointed eight residents to the city’s Retail Task Force. They are:

• Chestnut, mayor and city commissioner;

• Mike Gaughan, Douglas County commissioner;

• Tom Kern, president of the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce;

• Allison Vance Moore, commercial real estate agent;

• Earl Reineman, downtown merchant;

• Leslie Alhert, downtown merchant;

• Susan Cook, Lawrence merchant;

• Diane Oakes, at-large citizen.

The task force was established earlier this year with the goal of creating a report on how the city should “grow the retail economy in Lawrence.” The resolution creating the task force also calls on the group to determine the status of the city’s retail economy, review best practices of other communities that have enhanced the retail industry, and provide recommendations for changes in laws or policies that the city could make to improve retail business.

The resolution also directs the task force to examine the feasibility of the city sponsoring a retail incubator, which would be a building that offered affordable space for aspiring retailers. The report also is expected to include a review of several types of financial incentives used in other communities, such as tax increment financing, transportation development districts, and others.

A report to city commissioners is expected by December 2010. No word yet on when or where the task force will meet.