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Upcoming MBBA Events
Next Monthly
Membership Meeting
Thursday, May 13
7:30 am
Red Cross Building
1045 Outer Park Drive
4th Annual Artist Market
Saturdays in June
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Shop Local
on MacArthur!
Please patronize our member businesses:
MBBA Member Directory
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Missed the meeting?
Here's the scoop!
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MacArthur Boulevard Redevelopment Plan Update
County Board
Member Jen Dillman discussed the Redevelopment
Plan. Lakota Group will have a public
input meeting at Butler
School on April 21 from 6:30 to 8:30 pm.
All interested parties are encouraged to attend this first of three
public input meetings. A PowerPoint
presentation from the March 8
Project Start meeting is available on the Lakota website at http://thelakotagroup.com/macarthur/.
Jen said the project is on track and progressing well. Paul O'Shea
commented about the great opportunity working with Lakota presents for area
business owners and residents, having worked just recently with Lakota and Mansur on the Enos Park
project. He also mentioned the
recent presentation by Alderman Gail Simpson to the Sierra Club. Simpson's
speech called for more balanced core - citywide development that doesn't perpetuate Springfield's westward sprawl. O'Shea said
that neighborhood groups such as the MBBA represent the strength needed to keep
the core city strong and emphasized the importance of encouraging participation
in such groups and neighbors helping neighbors.
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| Fourth Annual Artists Market
The 4th Annual Artists Market will be held Saturdays in June at Town & Country Shopping Center. 16 artists have signed up. Food,
entertainment and portable toilets are planned.
More information, including an Artist Application and Frequently Asked Questions, is on our website...
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Guest Speaker:
Kevin Lust, Small Business Development Center: Lincoln Land Community College
Our guest speaker provided an overview of the services offered by the SBDC, which includes helping people start successful businesses and guidance for business growth. The services are "pre-paid" by tax dollars which come from the US Small Business Administration, the IL Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and LLCC.
Kevin commented that, although there has been press about small business tax breaks for hiring for small business, the details have yet to be finalized. In answer to a question, Kevin said that there are not a lot of regulatory mandates for micro-businesses (<50 employees) in the new health bill. There was a discussion about an arts district needing public support to reach critical mass in Springfield.
Kevin encouraged action through: - Encouraging prospective business owners to attend the SBDC workshops - "Don't try to go it alone."
- Actively promoting businesses you like by recommending them to friends, family & associates with gift certificates and FaceBook posts.
The SBDC has a new location at #8 S Old State Capitol Plaza. Visit the SBDC website at www.llcc.edu/sbdc, call them at 217-544-7232 or email sbdc@LLCC.edu.
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MBBA News
Cory mentioned an opportunity for the MBBA to assume responsibility for periodic Clean-Up Days for MacArthur Boulevard. Three to four cleanup days would be needed.
Show Me's will host an MBBA Business After Hoursto celebrate the opening of the MacArthur Extension. The opening date is anticipated to be early May. They are also opening an outdoor Beer Garden that will seat 80.
The Springfield Convention and Visitors Bureaurequests that businesses offering services and goods of interest to Springfield visitors get listed as "Hospitality Partners" on their website, www.Visit-SpringfieldIllinois.com. Most city restaurants already have a listing, but business owners can enhance their listing with photos, a description, specials and a link to their website. Information from the SCVB database is used to populate other sites and navigation maps for Garmin and TomTom. The goal of the SCVB is to enhance the experience of Springfield visitors. Call Peggy Goone at 217-789-2360 x 137. For a few minutes' work, businesses receive free publicity and an incoming link to their website.
Coffee Sponsorships Available
Please consider providing refreshments for our monthly meeting - sponsors provide coffee and treats for 20-30 people.
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Welcome New MBBA Business Members!
Attorney Donald LoBue, Leland Grove Alderman
Check out more great businesses and supporters at our
Member Directory page!
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MacArthur
Area Notes
Big
congratulations go to Baskin Robbin's
owner Glenn Yanow, who was awarded
"Franchisee of the Year" for the entire country last week at the
National Convention In New Orleans. Glen
also serves on the Board for BR franchisees and mentors other franchises to become
successful. A business
owner on Junction Circle south of Wabash
suggested that there be signs on Wabash indicating that Junction Circle is south of Wabash in addition to Park Ave. The
furniture behind the old Kmart building
is now gone. Thanks to everyone who
helped make it happen!
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If you know any details about doings on MacArthur, please drop us a line at info@shoponmacarthur.com.
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Area EventsAce Bike
Shop will sponsor a Bike Fun Ride
4/18 starting at noon to celebrate the opening of the Interurban Trail to Chatham. A drawing will be held at 3pm for a Giant
Cypress Bicycle. Additional door prizes
include a free hotel stay at the Comfort Suites.
The CAIBA
and Ace Hardware are offering a Shred
Event on 4/20 from 4:30 to 7pm. The
event is aimed at business owners, but the public is welcome. Businesses are welcome to bring as many as 15
boxes to be shredded and a box of food for the Central Illinois Food Bank. There will be hot dogs, beer and soda from
Ace.
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