McHenry Market Pulse: October 2015

Friday, October 30, 2015

BIG R OPENING DATE SET…CONGRATULATIONS BLACK DIAMOND PLUMBING AND MECHANICAL…DISCUSSION ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CONTINUES….

MCHENRY COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION 2015 BUSINES CHAMPIONS

The McHenry County Economic Development Corporation is one of the City of McHenry’s many partners when it comes to business retention, attraction and expansion. On Tuesday night October 27 the McHenry County Economic Development Corporation held their annual dinner and awards banquet. Each year they recognize Business Champions throughout McHenry County. These are businesses nominated and evaluated by an independent taskforce in areas including: excellence in service, business operations and commitment to the community and giving back! The City of McHenry was extremely fortunate to have several companies recognized as Business Champion finalists including: JA Nationwide Inc.; Black Diamond Plumbing and Mechanical Inc.; Charles Herdrich & Sons; Jessup Manufacturing and Home State Bank (headquartered in Crystal Lake but with two locations in the City of McHenry). Congratulations to Black Diamond Plumbing & Mechanical which was chosen as Business Champion in the category of businesses with 25-100 employees!

REAL ESTATE BROKER OPEN HOUSE

On October 9 I hosted a commercial real estate brokers’ open house. This was the second open house held here at the Municipal Center in 2015. The purpose of these open houses is to exchange ideas and interact with people with “boots on the ground” about commercial real estate and business in the City of McHenry, McHenry County and surrounding region. Approximately thirteen people from ten different companies attended the open house on October 9, which was an increase from the first open house held in February of this year. I think everyone who attended found it interesting, insightful and another excellent opportunity to network for economic development-related purposes.

It is my goal to hold an open house quarterly. I maintain a working list of over 50 people, primarily commercial real estate brokers but also others involved with economic development including: representatives from Nicor Gas and Commonwealth Edison, McHenry Area Chamber, McHenry County Economic Development Corporation and McHenry County Workforce Network. With each open house it is my goal to invite someone to attend to speak about a topic related to economic development. Thank you to all who attended and I look forwarded!

COMMUNITY DISCUSSION ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

As part of the City of McHenry’s ongoing community outreach efforts to promote, educate and facilitate an open dialogue on economic development-related issues I will be hosting the first of hopefully many community discussions for anyone interested in coming to listen and/or share ideas how the City of McHenry can further its efforts to attract, retain and promote business expansion. The first discussion will be held at the McHenry Public Library, 809 Front Street, on November 12, 2015, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM.

The is a free event, and I want to thank the McHenry Public Library Board and James Scholtz, Executive Director of the McHenry Public Library District for opening their doors and allowing the City of McHenry to utilize its facilities. It is my hope and intent to host many of these discussion groups. To register please go to http://mchenrylibrary.org/.

THIRD ANNUAL SUMMIT ON REGIONAL COMPETITIVNESSS

On October 23 I attended an event entitled: THIRD ANNUAL SUMMIT ON REGIONAL COMPETITIVENESS: A WAY FORWARD: STAKEHOLDER LEADERSHIP UNLOCKING THE ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF THE TRI-STATE REGION. The event was sponsored by many organizations but hosted and organized by the Alliance for Regional Development and was held at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

“The Alliance for Regional Development is a groundbreaking coalition of high-level leaders in business, government, and academia working together to strengthen the economic competitiveness of Chicago’s tri-state region, including northeast Illinois, northwest Indiana, and southeast Wisconsin. Our common goal is to provide a cross-jurisdictional, multi-sector response to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Territorial Review of the tri-state region that recommended specific and coordinated improvements in four key areas–workforce development, innovation, transportation and logistics, and green growth–to overcome growth and job-creation rates well below national and international averages for large metropolitan areas similar to our own.”

The event consisted of many presenters which spoke about the importance of regional cooperation in planning and developing infrastructure and water resource projects as well as coordinated economic development efforts. Numerous federal agencies representing Region V were present including: United States Environmental Protection Agency; United States Department of Housing and Urban Development; United States Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, United States Department of Commerce, Economic Development Administration and the United States Department of Labor. This is a great regional cooperative effort which includes 21 counties in three states. For more information please visit their website, http://alliancerd.org/.

HAVE A SAFE AND ENJOYABLE HALLOWEEN!!!

OCTOBER 31, 2015 TRICK OR TREAT HOURS 3:00 PM UNTIL 7:00 PM!!!!!!

LAST WEEKEND FOR MCHENRY AREA JAYCEES HAUNTED HOUSE

This is the 30^th year the Jaycees have been hosting the haunted house in the barn. For more information please visit: http://www.mchenryareajaycees.org/. Listed below are hours of operation and pricing information.

DATES: October 30, 31, & Nov 1st
HOURS: 7:30 pm - !!!!!!!!!!!!!
PRICES: Friday and Saturday $10, Thursday and Sunday $8. Save a dollar when you bring a canned food item… donation.

OPENING THURSDAY NOVEMBER 5, 2015!!!!!!!!!!

CVS COMING SOON!!!!!!!!!!

CITY OF MCHENRY RECREATION CENTER

Please help us keep our community vibrant and strong to the greatest extent practical for businesses, residents and visitors alike! The City Council is continually evaluating ways to assist in promoting business, tourism, community events and service! Economic development is an ongoing effort the City is committed to and is a community-wide effort. At the end of the day the entire community and everyone who is a part of it benefits!

OCTOBER 31, 2015 TRICK OR TREAT HOURS 3:00 PM UNTIL 7:00 PM!!!!!!

NOVEMBER 21, 2015 CHRISTMAS WALK AND TREE LIGHTING

NOVEMBER 28, 2015 IS SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY

Coming in future blog posts:

What factors do non-retail businesses consider when thinking about relocating?
Small Business Saturday…November 28, 2015
Free Business Resources
Exploring New Marketing Opportunities to promote business attraction, retention and expansion…
2015 Year in Review….
International Council of Shopping Centers Conference
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?
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)

dmartin@ci.mchenry.il.us

www.ci.mchenry.il.us

http://www.ci.mchenry.il.us/departments/development/economic.html

McHenry Market Pulse

Friday, October 9, 2015

HAUNTED HOUSE….HAYRIDE…CITY RECEIVES $358,840 BIKE PATH GRANT..furniturebyjason..RECREATION CENTER....

MCHENRY AREA JAYCEES HAUNTED HOUSE

It’s that time of year! Construction season is winding down and winter is almost upon us but be sure to take advantage of upcoming community events and support local charities in the process. The McHenry Area Jaycees, which partners with the City of McHenry in its annual Fourth of July Celebration, is hosting its Halloween Haunted House at the Knox Park Barn, off Route 31 and Park Place adjacent to the City’s Skate Park. This is the 30^th year the Jaycees has been hosting the haunted house in the barn. For more information please visit: http://www.mchenryareajaycees.org/. Listed below are hours of operation and pricing information.

DATES: October 9, 10, 16, 17, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, & Nov 1st
HOURS: 7:30 pm - !!!!!!!!!!!!!
PRICES: Friday and Saturday $10, Thursday and Sunday $8. Save a dollar when you bring a canned food item… donation.

WONDER LAKE SKI TEAM HAUNTED HAYRIDE

When you’re finished walking through the Jaycees Haunted House head over to Petersen Park on McCullom Lake Road and hop on the Haunted Hayride. The Wonder Lake Ski Team donates a portion of admission collected to local food charities. For more details please visit http://wonderlakeskiteam.org/wlski_haunted-hayride-fundraiser.

CITY RECEIVES $358,840 BIKE PATH GRANT!!!!

The City of McHenry, with the assistance of its engineer HR Green, was awarded $358,840 in grant funding to construct a bike path which will connect the existing bike path on Municipal Drive to the City’s recreation center currently under construction, extend through Knox Park to Green Street. It will provide a non-vehicular path incorporating the Municipal and Recreation Center, Knox Park Ball Fields and Tennis Courts, Knox Park Barn and Skate Park and Peter J. Merkel Aquatic Center in addition to the Parks and Recreation/Downtown Maintenance Facility and Water Plant on Green Street.

furniturebyjason!!!!

The McHenry Area Chamber of Commerce held a ribbon cutting event for furniturebyjason, located at 3314 Pearl Street, www.furniturebyjason.com. Jason and his wife Amy host an array of furniture (tables, shelving and customer orders) at their location immediately east of Veterans Memorial Park. Each piece is handcrafted and design consultation is offered. I encourage you to check out the unique pieces on display. The store adds yet another distinctive element to this area of downtown McHenry and Jason and his wife look forward to becoming active members of the community!

CONSTRUCTION OF THE RECREATION CENTER CONTINUES…OPENING DATE SPRING 2016!!!

What began in early summer of this year is progressing into the phase one of the City of McHenry Recreation Center. The recreation center will consolidate the numerous parks and recreation classes and programs which are currently held at the Municipal Center, as well as at other facilities throughout the City. The City has been saving since 1999, depositing 50% of all park developer donations into a Recreation Center Construction Fund. As a result no tax dollars are being utilized to fund the construction of the facility. While the 18,200 square foot building constitutes the initial phase of a larger recreation campus future phases will include a gymnasium to the north of the building currently being constructed as well as an aquatic component to the west. The entire site has been master planned to incorporate the Peter J. Merkel Aquatic Center, McHenry Skate Park and Knox Park. Below are photographs depicting the progression of the recreation center construction beginning in July of this year through the first week of October.

Please help us keep our community vibrant and strong to the greatest extent practical for businesses, residents and visitors alike! The City Council is continually evaluating ways to assist in promoting business, tourism, community events and service! Economic development is an ongoing effort the City is committed to but is also a community-wide effort. At the end of the day the entire community and everyone who is a part of it benefits!

November 21, 2015 Christmas Walk and Tree Lighting

November 28, 2015 is Small Business Saturday