Tuesday, June 30, 2015

UNITED STATES SBA MAKES STOP IN CHICAGO................ATTN: BUSINESSES: ITPC IS COMING TO MCHENRY AND WANTS TO DO BUSINESS WITH YOU......THANK YOU FOR YOUR COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, AND SUGGESTIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!


United States Small Business Administration Coming to Chicago!!!!

A large part of economic development is establishing partnerships and the United States Small Business Administration is an important partner and a direct link between businesses, economic development and the public sector.  I had the opportunity a couple of months ago to sit down with Stephen Konkle, Stephen.konkle@sba.gov (312-886-4208), Economic Development Specialist at the Illinois District Office of the United States Small Business Administration in Chicago, to discuss some of the programs and resources the U.S. Small Business Administration offers. 

I highly recommend you to visit their website, https://www.sba.gov/, to learn how they can assist you. For example did you know the U.S. Small Business Administration facilitates several different types of loan programs?  They can assist in the facilitation of a loan with a third party lender; the Small Business Administration can also help with guaranteeing a bond or locating venture capital assistance.  If you have any questions I encourage you to contact Stephen Konkle directly or you can always contact me and I would be happy to assist.
 
An opportunity for businesses to take immediate advantage of is the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Road Tour which highlights ways in which businesses can take advantage of technology-related funding through the Small Business Technology Transfer Programs.  Businesses will have an opportunity to sit down with managers from numerous governmental agencies.  See flyer below. The event will be held on July 14, 2015 in Chicago.  You can register by visiting: SBIRROADTOURCHICAGO.EVENTBRITE.COM.
 

 
Indonesian Trade Promotion Center
 
I mentioned in a past post that I had begun a relationship with the Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) and attended an event at their headquarters in Chicago.
 
The Vision and Mission as stated on their website http://www.itpcchicago.com/:
 
 
 “To boost Indonesian non-oil and gas export development to the United States through market penetration, information dissemination, trade inquiry services, expanding the business contacts between Indonesian exporters and US importers and active participation in various trade exhibitions in the US.”
 
I am very pleased to announce The Indonesian Trade Promotion Center, in partnership with the City of McHenry and the McHenry County College Shah Center will be hosting a business/manufacturing matchmaking event at the McHenry County College Shah Center, 4100 Shamrock Lane McHenry, IL on August 12, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.  The purpose of the event is for manufacturers to learn how to do business with Indonesia, whether importing or exporting, currently doing business with Indonesia or want to break into the Indonesian market this event is for you.  The following video provides a brief snapshot of why you may want to start doing business with Indonesia:  https://youtu.be/KxPM2eEpk5Q.  If you have any of the following questions make plans to attend this event:
 
·        What are Indonesia’s primary exports?
·        What imports are companies in Indonesia seeking?
·        How can I do business with Indonesia if I am not currently doing so?
·        What specific steps do I need to take?
·       Does Indonesia host any trade expositions for companies seeking to break into the Indonesian market?  
·       Are there special requirements related to importing/exporting related to businesses doing business with Indonesia?  
·        Who do I contact?
 
The ITPC is also tasked with enhancing investment in Indonesia, and the ITPC in Chicago collaborates with the Indonesian office in New York  to disseminate, facilitate and provide assistance to potential investors in the United States. Included as part of these services the ITPC also provides businesses matchmaking services which allows potential companies seeking to export products from the United States to determine potential companies in Indonesia which may be interested in purchasing these products.
 
Please plan on attending this event!   McHenry County College Shah Center, 4100 Shamrock Lane McHenry, IL 60050 on August 12, 2015 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. 
 
I can attest based on my experiences to date with the ITPC Indonesia is very interested in cultivating relationships with McHenry businesses.  At an event I attended in Chicago an Indonesian filmmaker, through the eyes of Indonesian people, highlighted the impact and importance of coffee (Indonesia is the third largest producer of coffee in the world) to the country, people, culture, history as well as the economy.  I had the opportunity to speak with the Indonesian Consul General about all Indonesia has to offer and conversely what McHenry has to offer Indonesia. 
 

A presentation by the ITPC including:  Consul General Mr. Andriana Supandy; Consul for Economic Affairs Mr. Alberd Pardede and Director of ITPC Chicago Mr. Wijayanto will answer all of your questions.  The Honorable Susan E. Low, Mayor of the City of McHenry and Dr. Tony Miska, Vice President of Student and Academic Affairs McHenry County College, will kick-off the event on August 12. 
 
I want to thank McHenry County College for partnering with City of McHenry and hosting this event!!!  They are a great partner and this event would not be possible without their assistance.  If you have ever contemplated doing business with Indonesia and haven’t taken the next step this event is for you.  Invitations will be sent out electronically in the next week.  If you have any questions in the interim please feel free to contact me.  Some of Indonesia's major imports and exports are listed below.  For a complete list, along with specific dollar amounts associated with these and percentage share of each from 2012-2014 please contact me.
 
 
Major Export Commodities from the United States to Indonesia
 
·        Aircraft, Spacecraft, And Parts Thereof
·       Vehicles; other than Railway or Tramway Rolling Stock and Parts and Accessories Thereof
·       Electrical Machinery and Equipment and Parts Thereof; Sound Recorders and Reproducers; Television Recorders and Reproducers, Parts and Accessories
·       Plastics and Articles Thereof
·       Oil Seeds and Oleaginous Fruits; Miscellaneous Grains, Seeds and Fruits; Industrial or Medicinal Plants; Straw and Fodder
·        Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery and Mechanical Appliances; Parts Thereof
·        Residues and Waste from the Food Industries; Prepared Animal Feed
·        Iron and Steel
 
Major Import Commodities from Indonesia to the United States
 
·        Articles of Apparel and Clothing, Accessories, Knitted or Croheted
·        Rubber and Articles Thereof
·        Footwear, Gaiters and the like; Parts of such Articles
·        Coffee, Tea, Mate an Spices
·        Paper and Paperboard; Articles of Paper Pulp, Paper or Paperboard
·        Cocoa and Cocoa Preparations
·        Aluminum and Articles Thereof
·        Wood and Articles of Wood; Wood Charcoal
·       Edible Preparations of Meat, Fish, Crustaceans, Molluscs Or Other Aquatic Invertebrates
·        Toys, Games And Sports Equipment; Parts and Accessories Thereof
 
The ITPC is also seeking opportunities to visit and tour businesses in McHenry while they are here.  If you are interested please contact me as soon as possible.  Economic development is all about establishing and sustaining productive relationships and the event on August 12, 2015 at the McHenry County College Shah Center, 4100 Shamrock Lane in the City of McHenry, from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. is a great way to begin a long-term relationship with the country of Indonesia as well as an opportunity to sample some of the world’s greatest coffee!!!!!!

Thank You for Your Continued Input and Inquiries
 
I want to thank all of you who have called, sent e-mails or stopped in the City of McHenry Municipal Center and sought information on economic development and what the City is doing to attract, retain and encourage business expansion.  I thoroughly enjoy these conversations because it provides me an opportunity to engage in a discussion about economic development; some of the strategies the City employs to fill the vacant building but most importantly it’s the beginning of a relationship I can establish and follow-up with someone who may have an interest in a particular area or is potentially seeking an opportunity to get involved. 
 
I stated in past posts of the value of establishing and maintaining relationships and will continue doing so in the future due to the inherent value of a holistic economic development effort.  I welcome your questions, concerns and suggestions particularly if you’ve read an article or visit a place and say why not do this or that in the City of McHenry.  I am 100% in support of utilizing ideas other communities have employed to further the City of McHenry’s economic development efforts.  Every time I visit a new place, whether it is with my family or somewhere I attend an event or conference I am always taking pictures and writing things down and continually thinking of ways how this  or that may be utilized, done or replicated in the City of McHenry. 
 
One such idea was presented to me at a recent retail convention I attended out of state, which lead to a relationship I formed with an economic development professional in the Quad Cities who said that’s an interesting concept and by the way in the Quad Cities I know they’ve done this in the past….
 
I am  going to present this idea and discuss in more detail in a future post but let’s just say it’s something anyone can do and will assist in the City’s overall economic development efforts and many of you already do this...to be continued...
 
Economic development is a community-wide effort and at the end of the day the entire community and everyone who is part of it benefits!!!  Please continue to provide feedback, submit questions, suggestions and/or comments!!!!!!!!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Coming in future blog posts: 
     
    ·       What factors do non-retail businesses consider when thinking about relocating?
    ·        International Council of Shopping Centers Conference 2015
    ·        How do brick and mortar businesses remain competitive with on-line businesses?
    ·        Chicago Metro Metal Consortium..
    ·        What are Class A, B and C spaces?
    ·        Franchising?  What is it?  What companies offer it and what challenges are associated with attracting a retailer which operates exclusively using franchising?
    ·        Future trends in economic development:  “market segmentation;“ “pop-up” stores; “placemaking/third places”
    ·        Challenges associated with economic development…
     
 
Douglas P. Martin

Director of Economic Development

City of McHenry

333 S Green Street

McHenry, IL 60050

815.363.2110 (d)

815.363.2173 (f)

815.790.4752 (c)





@McHenryIL

Friday, June 12, 2015

DOES THE CITY TRY TO ATTRACT ENTERTAINMENT-ORIENTED BUSINESSES? WHAT IS THE STATUS OF THE MCHENRY DOWNTOWN THEATER AND PRELUDE TO THE SUMMER EVENT SEASON…

Yes, attracting and providing entertainment options for residents and visitors alike is a very important aspect to a holistic economic development program.  The primary and most obvious reason is people who choose to live in the City of McHenry want to have options for entertainment within the community which they live.  It is also part of the overall quality of life equation.  Entertainment is also a useful tool to attract people to a community thereby providing a secondary market, i.e. visitors and tourists.  Entertainment-oriented businesses are destinations.  They enhance the quality of life for residents but also invite people to the City of McHenry, who while seeking entertainment within the City can also attend a special event or visit other stores in the City.  It’s another avenue for non-entertainment businesses to gain exposure to new customers.  Special events are an excellent opportunity for existing businesses to capitalize on this secondary market.  Often during special events businesses may remain open for additional hours or coordinate a special promotion or sale in conjunction with the event. 

What are some of the challenges associated with attracting entertainment-oriented businesses?

Businesses devoted exclusively to providing some form of entertainment as their primary business model are more challenging to attract to a community for a few key reasons.  They require more population density (large number of people residing in a specific geographic area) and often seek locations in close proximity to highway or interstate access because they are destination-oriented businesses.  They want to maximize their exposure and opportunity to be successful and ensure people can easily find and access them.  You may be familiar with Whirlyball, Medieval Times, K1 Speed, Dave & Buster's however there are a very limited number of these specific businesses in the entire Chicagoland region. 

One of the biggest challenges McHenry County faces is lack of interstate access which significantly limits the potential for larger destination and  more specialized businesses, including entertainment-driven business to locate within the County and be successful.  Businesses such as Brunswick Zone or Chuck E. Cheese's have similar site location requirements and some of these businesses do have locations in McHenry County or in close proximity but often will not seek additional sites because their customer base or market trade area is very large due to the nature of the business. People will drive a longer distance to patronize these types of businesses.  Additionally, entertainment businesses are more sensitive to a turbulent economy.  When disposable income is limited and consumer spending is down it’s these types of businesses which often are more financially impacted.

The Retail Experience

Due to the dynamic nature of the economy and demographic and socioeconomic trends entertainment businesses are often combined with a retail, service, restaurant and/or hospitality component.  Having multi-dimensional uses within one building or center provides a greater opportunity for these businesses and developments with these types of businesses to be successful and allows customers to do many things at one location.   It can also hedge some of the risk for businesses which are more susceptible to struggle in a tighter economy by providing diversification with complimentary businesses. For example you may have a bowling alley paired with a restaurant or other form of entertainment.  Retailers do this as well in order to create a "retail experience".   The end goal is to attract people to a location and keep them there for as long as possible so they spend more money than they might originally have intended if these other "complimentary" businesses were not as convenient to patronize.  They do this by creating an experience/environment which is conducive to not just moms and dads but grandmas and grandpas, kids/grandchildren etc. 

 
What is the Status of the McHenry Downtown Theater?

A question I am asked quite frequently is:  What is the status of the McHenry Downtown Theater and will the theater open again?  The theater building was foreclosed on by the lienholder and a sheriff’s auction was held approximately one month ago.  The purpose of the sheriff’s auction was to seek bids from parties/investors interested in purchasing the theater building.  The auction was held however the existing lienholder was the only bidder on the building.  The lienholder is in the process of obtaining a legal deed to the property through a court proceeding which follows a sheriff’s auction.  After obtaining legal ownership of the building, it’s the intent of the lienholder to market the property to prospective buyers.   The City has maintained contact with the lienholder and has fielded calls from people interested in acquiring and reopening the theater.

A large challenge associated with reopening the McHenry Downtown Theater however is upgrading to digital equipment, which is an expense in excess of $130,000.  As Director of Economic Development I work to facilitate relationships and connections with the end goal, in this particular instance, being to reopen the theater.  It is paramount to the City’s downtown revitalization efforts because the theater is a destination which brings people to the downtown and provides both an entertainment option but also an opportunity to bring customers to the downtown to patronize other businesses.  The City will continue to work with the lienholder in an effort reopen the theater.  As the old adage goes: “Where there is a will there is a way.”  There is definitely a will to reopen the downtown theater and as Director of Economic Development it is my job to find a way to do so!    

 
Are there special events or other entertainment options available?

Yes, the City is currently constructing an 18,200 square-foot recreation center immediately west of the Municipal Center and has a master plan to construct an aquatic center and gymnasium in the future when funding is obtained.  The recreation center is scheduled to open Spring of 2016.  The City also just completed a major renovation to Fort McHenry in Whispering Oaks Park as well as the tennis courts at Knox Park.
 
Additionally, there are many other community events including:  Green Street Cruise Night (Every Monday Evening), A Day at Petersen Farm, June 28 at Historic Petersen Farm on McCullom Lake Road and Movies in the Park, which will be occurring throughout the summer months.  Many of the events are free and provide an opportunity for family-oriented entertainment.  The following link to the City’s newsletter provides a glimpse.
 
 
Every Thursday evening there's a band concert/farmers market held at Veterans Memorial Park and the following link provides a schedule for all summer band concerts. 
 
 

The McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce, also hosts numerous family-oriented events and the countdown to Fiesta Days 2015 days has begun. 
 
Please visit the chamber website http://mchenrychamber.com/ to learn more.    Additionally, the McHenry Public Library District also offers numerous programs and events throughout the year.  Check these out at http://mchenrylibrary.org/.  
 
The McHenry Rotary Club will host their annual Blues, Brews and BBQ festival at the end of July/early August at Petersen Park.  For more information on this event visit their website:  
 
http://www.mchenryrotarybluesbrewsandbbqs.com/.
 
 Entertainment, Special Events and Tourism

Providing entertainment options, having special events and opportunities for tourism are important components to the economic well-being of the City.  They enhance quality of life for residents and provide opportunities for businesses to engage in cross-promotion and utilize other local businesses to assist in these efforts.  The City is actively recruiting all types of businesses, encouraging expansion and working on retaining existing businesses as well as promoting tourism and hosting and partnering with other groups for different types of special events, programs and festivals geared towards families. 
 
I believe it is incumbent upon all of us as members of a community, residents, businesses owners, the City, other stakeholder groups and organizations, to support local businesses, attend, volunteer and promote festivals and special events and support charitable organizations.  These are all vital pieces to fostering a vibrant community, promoting business, quality of life and being civic-minded. 
 
 
Economic development is a community-wide effort and at the end of the day the entire community and everyone who is part of it benefits!!! 
 

Please continue to provide feedback, submit questions and comments!!!!

 
Coming in future blog posts: 

  • What factors do non-retail businesses consider when thinking about relocating?
  • Best of the Fox Award Winners…
  • International Council of Shopping Centers Conference 2015...
  • How do brick and mortar businesses remain competitive with on-line businesses?
  • Chicago Metro Metal Consortium..
  • What are Class A, B and C spaces?
  • Franchising?  What is it?  What companies offer it and what challenges are associated with attracting a retailer which operates exclusively using franchising?
  • Future trends in economic development:  “market segmentation;“ “pop-up” stores; “placemaking/third places”
 
Douglas P. Martin
Director of Economic Development
City of McHenry
333 S Green Street
McHenry, IL 60050
815.363.2110 (d)
815.363.2173 (f)
815.790.4752 (c)
@McHenryIL