Economic & Community Development Committee

Village Hall Village of Lombard 255 East Wilson Ave. Lombard, IL 60148 villageoflombard.org Minutes Economic & Community Development Committee Bill Johnston, Chairperson Reid Foltyniewicz, Alternate Chairperson Dennis McNicholas, Garrick Nielsen, Matthew Pike, Brian LaVaque, Markus Pitchford, Christopher Carter and Paula Dillon Advisory Members: Alan Bennett and Larry Kelly Staff Liaison: William Heniff Monday, January 9, 2017 7:00 PM Village Hall - Community Room 1.0 Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance The meeting was called to order by Trustee Johnston at 7:00 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. 2.0 Roll Call Present 7 - Bill Johnston, Dennis McNicholas, Brian LaVaque, Garrick Nielsen, Matthew Pike, Paula Dillon, and Larry Kelly Absent 3 - Markus Pitchford, Christopher Carter, and Alan Bennett Also present: William Heniff, Director of Community Development; Jennifer Ganser, Assistant Director of Community Development; Lynne Magnavite, Lombard Town Centre and Yvonne Invergo, Lombard Chamber of Commerce. 3.0 Public Participation 4.0 Approval of Minutes On a motion by Mr. Pike and a second by Ms. Dillon, the minutes of the December 12, 2016 meeting were approved, with one correction, by the members present. 5.0 Unfinished Business 160505 Village Board Strategic Plan - ECDC Items Presentation and discussion of business retention initiatives and outreach strategies. (DISTRICTS - ALL) Village of Lombard Page 1 Economic & Community Minutes January 9, 2017 Development Committee Mr. Heniff went thru a power point he had from a two-day conference on Business Retention from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). He focused on business retention and the other stakeholders and players that can help Lombard businesses. He noted that economic growth is often thought of a three legged stool for entrepreneurial development, business recruitment, and business retention/expansion. He said there is a strong value and strong ROI in retaining existing firms. Mr. Nielsen asked how Lombard gets engaged in new projects. Mr. Heniff discussed the Mariano’s project and the work on zoning, with IDOT, utilities, etc. Mr. Nielsen suggested staff make note of their efforts to write a success story to help attract other businesses. Mr. Heniff then discussed previous business retention efforts where a municipality may use a long survey to meet with a business. Now it is more about building relationships. He said staff picks who to meet with based on numerous factors. We bring in our partners when necessary. Mr. Heniff also noted the goal is to keep the relationship thriving over time and continue to reach out to the businesses. Mr. Heniff said in the future the ECDC will hear presentations from our partners such as the COD Small Business Development Center, Choose DuPage, and the DuPage County Workforce Board. Mr. Nielsen said staff should concentrate on adding value when they meet with businesses and bring ideas from their teammates. Mr. McNicholas said he staff may want to help businesses shop Lombard for other business services and clients. Mr. Kelly said staff should continue to make it easier for a business to do business here and give them guidance. Ms. Dillon said these new personal connections may also help with referrals. Mr. LaVaque noted Lombard has something for every type of business, be it downtown, or a commercial corridor like Butterfield Road. Mr. Pike suggested staff ask what went well or what could be done better to keep up our continuing success. 6.0 New Business 7.0 Other Business 8.0 Information Only Lombard Town Centre Report Ms. Magnavite said Jingle Bell Jubilee had a great turnout and that LTC met their business membership quota. A grand opening is being held on January 10th for 4PawsK9 Training at 104 E. St. Charles Road. Ms. Dillon said the building looks great and is helping to improve that stretch of St. Charles Road. Mr. Kelly said he noticed a lot of foot traffic for Jingle Bell Jubilee. Village of Lombard Page 2 Economic & Community Minutes January 9, 2017 Development Committee Development Project Update Mr. Heniff said the houses at the site of the Bluestone gas station were recently demolished and construction should start in the spring. Ms. Ganser mentioned that a group from Northwest Indiana is touring a few Illinois downtowns including Lombard on Friday morning. 9.0 Adjournment On a motion by Ms. Dillon and a second by Mr. Nielsen, the meeting adjourned at 8:14 p.m. Village of Lombard Page 3