McHenry Market Pulse: CVS OPENING EARLY 2016, BLACK DIAMOND IS COMING TO THE CITY OF MCHENRY, CONSTRUCTION OF THE RECREATION CENTER CONTINUES AND MORE!!!!

CVS PHARMACY

CVS has announced they will be open for business early 2016! Crews continue on the construction of a new 13,225 square-foot store with accompanying drive-thru at the northwest corner of Elm and Front Streets.

BLACK DIAMOND PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL

Black Diamond Plumbing and Mechanical has purchased the building at 1400 Miller Parkway, located in the City of McHenry Corporate Center. They will do some minor work prior to moving into the building, which they anticipate completing by the end of the month at which time they will be fully operational at their new location. We are very pleased Black Diamond Plumbing and Mechanical chose the City of McHenry as their new home and wish them the best of luck at their new location!

CITY OF MCHENRY RECREATION CENTER CONSTRUCTION CONTINUES

Construction on the Recreation Center continues. Below are some pictures of the building from the first 10 days in September. The recreation center will be 18,200 square-feet and is anticipated to be open Spring 2016!

TEXT AMENDMENTS APPROVED BY CITY COUNCIL TO ASSIST WITH BUSINESS ATTRACTION, EXPANSION AND RETENTION

On August 17 the City Council approved text amendments to the City’s zoning ordinance to further promote and support business growth and development. The amendments include: a streamlined procedure to allow outdoor seating in conjunction with a restaurant, permitting restaurants to have indoor entertainment without obtaining a conditional use permit; restaurants are now also permitted uses in the O-2 Office Park, I-1 Industrial and BP Business Park zoning districts.

If you are interested in learning more about these amendments or pursue obtaining permits for outdoor seating please contact me. Additionally, if there are things you believe the City should consider to do more to promote business please contact me and I would be more than happy to have a discussion with you.

The City of McHenry wants to be “business friendly” and not just state we are “business friendly.” Please help us accomplish this goal to the greatest extent practical for businesses, residents, visitors and the City!

The City of McHenry welcomes and appreciates companies investing in our City. The City Council is continually evaluating ways to assist in promoting business attraction, retention and growth, one example included in this post describes the recent amendments the City Council approved.

Economic development is an ongoing effort the City is committed to and it is also a community-wide effort. At the end of the day the entire community and everyone who is a part of it benefits...Thank you for the feedback and suggestions you’ve provided on what categories of businesses should be added and what businesses in the City should be recognized in response to my question in the last post following the Northwest Herald's publication of its Readers' Choice Awards.

Remember October 2, 2015 is National Manufacturing Day (http://www.mfgday.com/)!!!

Coming in future blog posts:

What factors do non-retail businesses consider when thinking about relocating?

National Manufacturing Day….October 2, 2015

Small Business Saturday…November 28, 2015

Exploring New Marketing Opportunities to promote business attraction, retention and expansion…

2015 Year in Review….

International Council of Shopping Centers Conference 2015

How do brick and mortar businesses remain competitive with on-line businesses?

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?