Looking Backward, Looking Ahead

The Roman icon for the New Year was Janus, god of beginnings and transitions, gates and doors, endings and time--usually represented as a two-faced god looking ahead to the future and backwards into the past (we derive both January and janitor from Janus).  This post, Janus-like, will review Columbia's progress and potential at the transition point into 2012.

As the recession wanes, Columbia seems to be emerging from the economic downturn in relatively good shape.  The long-awaited transformation of Shoemaker School into the Monroe County Welcome Center was completed this year, part of an expansion of local tourism. There has been some new commercial development (a Dollar General store and a new building for Quality Collision & Towing), more than forty new home starts, little increase in commercial vacancies and an upswing in the number of new businesses opening, including several along Main Street, which is developing a stronger identity through joint promotional efforts.  Sales tax collections are at a five-year high.

Even more important may be the foundation Columbia is preparing for future economic growth.  A county-wide tourism effort focused on the historic Cahokia-Kaskaskia Trail is gathering momentum and producing results.  Locally, Columbia is finally moving ahead with locating and commemorating Piggot's Fort, the largest fortified American settlement in the American Bottoms of the late 18th Century.  City leaders are beginning a marketing effort to retailers and other developers that may begin to pay dividends by matching businesses pursuing expansion plans (like ECF, Inc.) with developable parcels.  City government is also pushing ahead with updated planning and a long-awaited investment strategy for Main Street.  Economic development professionals from both the City's Community & Economic Development Department and the Monroe County Economic Development Council will be renewing efforts to support growth of small entrepreneurs in every way possible--both will be using the newly-developed strategic plan (completed in 2011) as a guide.

Sounds Like a Plan (2012)

In December each year, while others are checking their Christmas lists one final time, the City of Columbia's Community & Economic Development Department (CEDD) compiles another list. The annual Community & Economic Development Strategy guides the City's efforts each year to build a better community and expand economic activity.

The overall goal for CEDD is "[to] expand and enhance City and community revenues and assets so as to steadily increase available resources, broaden service delivery, and improve the quality of life for all citizens."

The Strategy is outcomes-based, establishing goals and then defining activities that will support their achievement. This approach ties CEDD's activities to community goals, guides program development and makes it possible to gauge accomplishments. The Columbia City Council reviewed achievements (as well as shortfalls) of the 2011 strategy earlier this month; last evening, they adopted the strategy proposed for 2012.

Objectives for 2012 are as follows:

1. Encourage new businesses to form and grow in Columbia

a. Work with the Monroe County Economic Development Council (MCEDC) to develop program(s) that will encourage and support local entrepreneurs

2. Retain businesses in the City of Columbia by supporting their long-term success

a. Encourage Columbia’s citizens to support local businesses

 Continue to support MCEDC’s “Think Monroe County First!” campaign

b. Provide direct services to current businesses

 Continue business retention/expansion visits through MCEDC

 Use a multi-agency team approach to address needs of local firms identified through these visits

 Continue to support the Admiral Parkway Redevelopment Area through administration and tax increment financing

c. Support expansion of current businesses through loans and incentives, where appropriate

 Expand the revolving loan program through strategic partnerships

 Assist MCEDC in developing new incentives for business expansion

3. Recruit new businesses to the community

a. Market available sites and buildings for businesses looking to expand and/or relocate

 Expand the marketing campaign to promote Columbia with office & retail users throughout Greater St. Louis

 Engage local & regional partners (i.e., developers, MCEDC, Leadership Council, Regional Chamber & Growth Ass’n.) in this effort

 Expand building & site listings on Location One Information System (LOIS), the primary platform for commercial real estate information

b. Maintain and distribute timely information on Columbia’s demographics, business mix, and economic potential

 Update community profile with the Illinois Department of Community & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

 Create new community marketing materials, including one or more promotional video(s)

4. Stimulate more commercial activity on Main Street

a. Enhance design consistency and the historic character of this corridor

 Building upon past efforts, develop a comprehensive Main Street revitalization strategy that includes market analysis, targeted improvements and planning for adequate parking & transit services

b. Increase private investment in Main St. properties

 Work with the Main St. Business Association (MSBA) to support business expansion and recruit new businesses into the corridor

5. Develop and market local sites & facilities that will entice visitors and locals to learn more about Columbia’s history and heritage

a. Market Columbia and Monroe County as tourist destinations

 Partner with Columbia’s lodging and conference facilities to support a direct sales position

 Include tourism promotion as an integral part of the strategic marketing campaign

 Effectively market & cooperatively staff the Monroe County Welcome Center

b. Develop community signage that blends aesthetics and commercial promotion in the highest & best manner

 Assist MSBA in securing signage on I-255 for “Historic Main St. Columbia” and installing banners along Main St.

 Review community entrance signage and informational banner use to reduce clutter and improve aesthetics

6. Enhance Columbia’s reputation as one of the most desirable communities in the region through adoption of updated planning

a. Update the City’s Master Plan (recommended every five years)

 Incorporate the Senior Services Assessment and revised Open Space, Bicycle & Greenway Alignment into the Master Plan

b. Cooperate with the City of Waterloo, Monroe County and other partners to develop a Community Planning Area (CPA) sustainability plan

7. Expand resources for parks & recreational uses to make Columbia “a great place to play”

a. Continue to work for expanded use of parks and recreation facilities

 Complete transfer of the Piggot’s Fort commemorative site

 Complete the master plan for the park within the Admiral Trost Development

 Build upon the Open Space, Bicycle & Greenway Alignment Plan to create a city-wide alternative transportation plan

 Create a comprehensive operational program for parks & recreation

b. Expand resources available for parks & recreation services and facilities

 Continue to pursue grants from the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources and other sources

 Develop a program of grants, planned giving and other mechanisms to help fund long-term improvements

8. Support community activities, celebrate milestones and add to the local quality of life

a. Increase community involvement in and support for local events

 Initiate an ambassadors program to increase volunteer support for events

b. Identify needs and mobilize support for an enhanced quality of life

 Involve other community partners in completing a Community Development Inventory with recommendations for coordinated/common efforts

The Main (Street) Event: Five New Players

Last Thursday, Nora Feuquay from the Monroe County Economic Development Council (MCEDC) and Paul Ellis from the City of Columbia Community & Economic Development Department began retention visits with Main Street merchants.  The purpose of these visits is to build a database of local businesses and get to know them better so as to provide assistance when it's needed--even better, before help is needed.

Columbia's Main Street has developed a new vitality that is reflected in the diversity of these first five merchants visited by the local economic development team:

Evalina's Antique Cafe - After years of success with Winghorse Farms on Triple Lakes Road, Barbara Ratz decided to follow a new dream and open an antique shop at 124 S. Main; she also sells desserts and serves soup and sandwiches amid the antiques, consignment items and locally-made crafts.

Fashion Attic - Lori Prior has transferred her skills as a successful Realtor into a run as owner of a consignment shop at 128 S. Main, where she offers stylish clothing, jewelry, hats, purses, and bags for discriminating customers.

Above & Beyond Design by Marla - After years of working for a corporation, Marla Vogt struck out on her own to design custom kitchens for customers from Waterloo to Chesterfield; she opened her showroom at 128 S. Main after working out of her home and winning customer acclaim.

Chateau La Vin - Another refugee from the corporate world, Bob Freyman opened Chateau La Vin Wine Shop & Tasting Bar at 119 S. Main just a few months ago; his shop offers a respite from shopping where customers can sip wine and watch the traffic go by.

Who Dat's Southern Food - Bourbon St. meets the Midwest at 123 S. Main in Who Dat's, where Creole is king and owner Chris Salvage offers Southern hospitality with the cuisine.

Even though each of these five relatively new firms is unique, they share at least two common characteristics--optimism for the future, and the sense that Columbia's Main Street is where their future fortunes (literal and figurative) will be found.

Columbia's Past May Have a Future

Last week's forum regarding location of Piggot's Fort drew a robust crowd of people and sparked community interest in pursuing what is arguably one of the most significant historic locations in early Illinois.

With strong support from the Illinois War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, the event surfaced new resources and new people that will help local groups move forward on four proposed projects that will help Piggot's Fort achieve the widespread and lasting recognition it deserves:

1. Completing transfer of a proposed park site along Bluff Rd. from the Columbia Historical Society to the City of Columbia, a process begun in 2007 but not yet completed;
2. Convening an expert panel to identify the true site of Piggot's Fort, if such identification is still possible;
3. Developing the above mentioned park site as a location commemorating Piggot's Fort and interpreting its contribution to the European settlement of Illinois;
4. Working with the appropriate groups and agencies to identify and commemorate genealogies and other historic records, gravesites and building sites for the Piggots, Whitesides and other pioneer settlers.

Each of these efforts received a boost from the turnout at last week's event, but more help will be needed.  Interested individuals should contact the Heritage & Preservation Commission about opportunities to get involved. 

Where Was Piggott's Fort?

In 1783, James Piggot erected a fort at the foot of the bluff, a mile and a half west of Columbia where a small creek, called by the French the Grand Ruisseau, emerged from the bluff. This fort was home to 14 families--the largest settlement at that time along the entire Cahokia-Kaskaskia Trail--creating the nucleus for the earliest American settlement of the Illinois territory.  It was a celebrated place in those early times, known as Piggot's Fort.

While many believe the stone foundation across from Sackman Field at 11832 Bluff Rd. to be a remnant of Piggot’s Fort, the exact location is open for discussion. Members of the Illinois War of 1812 Bicentennial Commission, Columbia Historical Society, Columbia Heritage & Preservation Commission, and the Sand Bank School Historical Society have joined forces to try and settle the question during this coming year. As a first step, a forum will be held from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. on November 30th at Sand Bank School, located just north of the currently designated Piggot's Fort site.

Anyone interested in the history of the area should plan to stop by and share information with early Illinois settlement historian Bill Wilson, Monroe County historian and author Gene Haller, and other experts.

Columbia’s Improved Website is Now Live!

The City of Columbia’s official website has been upgraded to better serve the community.  This past Friday, the re-designed site went live, offering many improvements.

First, City staff worked with CivicPlus, the vendor, to completely update the design of the site. In conjunction with that process, the team reorganized the website’s navigation, making it easier to find content. As a result, the whole look and feel of the website has been updated and improved.

Three new features merit special notice:

 The calendar now shows dates in a graphic manner, not just as a list, making it easier to find events via the website;

 Navigation has been revamped to make it easier to find content and functions on the site;

 The website has a new, revolving slide show highlighting content and services of special interest--including some new, high interest content that has recently been added.

Other changes are being made to improve the website’s functionality for new businesses seeking to locate in this area. National studies suggest that more than 98% of site selections are with primary contact via a community’s website.

Further improvements will continue to be made to make Columbia’s website more useful to citizens as well as for visitors and potential investors. If you have a suggestion for improving the website, please send it to Paul Ellis, pellis@columbiaillinois.com or (618) 281-7144.

Columbia Wins 'Active Living' Recognition

Trailnet, the premier non-profit organization developing bike and pedestrian trails, saving green spaces and advocating alternative transportation across the St. Louis metropolitan area, has chosen the City of Columbia as recipient of the 2011 Active Living Award recognizing achievement by a municipality.  The annual awards celebrate the individuals, nonprofits, municipalities, and businesses who are engaged in unique and sustainable efforts to incorporate physical activity into everyday living.

On September 20, Columbia will be recognized at the awards ceremony held at the Danforth Plant Science Center in St. Louis from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person. Registrations can be made online through the Trailnet website.

Nominated by Scott Rodemich of Marketicity--formerly a member of the Play Commission--Trailnet recognizes Columbia's commitment to encouraging walking and biking.  Despite the economic downturn and severely restricted revenues, Columbia's leaders continue to make investments in projects and planning that continues to build community momentum, such as:

• Construction of a new sidewalk along Temple, connecting Main St. with Parkview School and the city's largest park;
• Installation of fixed speed feedback signs at two key crosswalks on Main St.;
• Development and annual expansion of a School Travel Plan through the Safe Routes to School program;
• Updating the City's Open Space, Bike & Greenway Alignment Plan;
• Creating a Play Commission and winning recognition for two years in a row as the St. Louis region's solitary Playful City USA;
• Initiating a new master planning process for a 33.8 acre park in the Admiral Trost Development Subdivision

Monroe County Led Southwestern IL Tourism Growth in 2010

Monroe County once again led the pack of Southwestern Illinois counties in growth of revenues from tourism last year.  The economic impact of tourism in Monroe County totalled $14.2 million, up 10.8 percent from the previous year--the second year in a row in which Monroe led the pack in percentage expansion of revenues. 

The Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) has released numbers for the Southwestern Illinois tourism industry showing that visitors to the nine Southwestern Illinois counties generated nearly $907.3 million in local economic impact in 2010. Totals from each of the other counties, compiled by the U.S. Travel Association, included: Bond - $13.8 million, up 3.7 percent; Calhoun- $22.2 million, up 2.5 percent; Clinton - $37 million, up 2.4 percent; Jersey - $51.2 million, up 1.3 percent; Madison - $316.4 million, up 3.4 percent; Randolph - $29.4 million, up 9.4 percent; St. Clair - $408.6 million, up 6.9 percent; and Washington - $14.5 million, up 7.5 percent. 

Nora Feuquay, staff for the Monroe County Economic Development Council (MCEDC), attributes the increase to the activities of tourism related groups in the county such as CLIFFTOP, the Monroe County History Museum, and the Peterstown House as well as the efforts of local municipalities in supporting their businesses and tourism activities.  "Many of these groups are doing a great job promoting themselves via websites and social media," Feuquay observes. 

The MCEDC Tourism Subcommittee also continues to work on getting tourism information on the county website while building a tourism theme for the county and, eventually, the region.  What's next?  Cooperation between the county and municipalities to support the new Monroe County Welcome Center will further enhance growth of tourism in the area.

In Columbia, Volunteers Are Tops!

Dozens of community volunteers turned out last evening to celebrate Columbia's designation by the State of Illinois as the inaugural winner of the "Outstanding Community Volunteerism" award.

As pictured at right, volunteers gathered at Tiny's Pub & Grill to raise a glass and cheer one another while highway signs announcing Columbia's designation were unveiled on Highway 3 entering town from both directions.  "Volunteers are the heartbeat of a community," said Community & Economic Development Director Paul Ellis at the event, "and in Columbia, that heartbeat is particularly strong."

The "Outstanding Community Volunteerism" award is part of the Governor’s Hometown Awards program, presented continuously since 1983, which gives formal recognition to those who have answered contributed to their community’s quality of life. 

Senator Durbin Proposes Deficit Reduction, Main Street 'Fairness'

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin met with leaders from across Southwestern Illinois this morning for a first round of discussion on how to balance the federal budget and help spur economic recovery on Main Street. The meeting, held in Collinsville, was organized by the Leadership Council Southwestern Illinois and drew about 70 participants from Madison, Monroe & St. Clair counties.

Durbin—the second highest-ranking member of the Senate and a member of the bipartisan National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (aka the “Deficit Reduction Commission”)—focused his remarks on strategies he advocates to reduce the $14 trillion federal deficit. The overall approach, as he sees it, is to balance investments against spending cuts until the recession ends, then to aggressively attack spending cuts. Durbin is forthright about the scale of that task, observing that the nation will have to “get radical” and that “we cannot balance the budget without dealing with the rapidly rising costs of healthcare” despite many entrenched interests to the contrary.

Speaking to a group composed largely of businesspeople and local government officials, Durbin cited two specific pieces of legislation that he is pushing forward to help support economic recovery:

• Legislation to monitor and reduce the interchange fees imposed upon businesses by financial institutions for the use of debit cards;
• The Main Street Fairness Act, which would levy sales tax upon Internet sales—Durbin contends that this measure would “level the playing field” for brick-and-mortar retailers and infuse revenue back to state and local governments.

Fielding questions from the audience, Durbin reiterated his support for a “reasonable approach” to maintaining levees and noted that the latest version of the Congressional budget cuts funding for the Army Corps of Engineers.

Monroe County Forum to Feature Area Success Stories

Representatives from four area businesses will share their insights into not only surviving in this economy, but on improving and expanding their businesses at the Monroe County Economic Development Council's Annual Forum on Wednesday, February 16th.

Columbia Centre and Mokka Kaffeehaus, both of Columbia, are sponsors for the Forum.

Serving on the panel are:

• Steve Carter, Principal, Knight Hawk Coal;
• Jared Nobbe, Sales Manager, Wm. Nobbe & Co.;
• Mary Kay Prader, Owner and Executive Director, Lighthouse Child Care Centers;
• Bill Rebholz, Executive Director, Monroe County Surgical Center

The panel will be moderated by Bob Lewis, President/Principal for Development Strategies, Inc., a St. Louis company that specializes in economic research and planning.

These four companies share in common the ability to be adaptable, to focus on customer needs, and remain stable and even grow at a time when other companies are struggling.

For example:

• Monroe County Surgical Center recently broke ground on a new out-patient surgical center, scheduled to open later this year.
• Knight Hawk Coal has grown from 15 employees to 350 and dramatically increased its coal extraction.
• Wm. Nobbe has increased their Professional Landscape Contractor business over the last several years by partnering with John Deere Landscapes Company.
• Lighthouse Child Care Centers have steadily added new locations and new types of services to their portfolio.

Forum attendees will have a chance to ask questions of the panelists after the moderated part of the program.

The event will be held at The Falls Reception & Conference Center in Columbia. Doors open at 7 a.m. and the event will conclude around 9 a.m. Seating for the Forum is limited, so advanced registration is requested by February 11th. Registration cost (including breakfast) is $20 per person, either through the University of Illinois Extension website or by phone at (618) 939-3434.

Sounds Like a Plan (2011)

Each year, the City of Columbia's Community & Economic Development Department presents a strategic plan with goals & objectives for the coming year for approval by the City Council.

This year's plan, which was approved December 20th, presented the following goals & objectives:

Encourage new businesses to form and grow in Columbia
Work with the Monroe County Economic Development Council (MCEDC) to develop program(s) that will encourage and support local entrepreneurs

Retain businesses in the City of Columbia by supporting their long-term success
Encourage Columbia’s citizens to support local businesses

• Continue to support MCEDC’s “Think Monroe County First!” campaign

Provide direct services to current businesses
Continue business retention/expansion visits through MCEDC

• Use a team approach to address identified needs of local firms
• Continue to administer the Admiral Parkway Redevelopment Area

Support expansion of current businesses through loans and incentives, where appropriate

• Maintain/expand city & county revolving loan programs
• Identify possible new incentives for business expansion

Recruit new businesses to the community
Market available sites and buildings for businesses looking to expand and/or relocate

• Initiate a marketing campaign to promote Columbia with office & retail users throughout Greater St. Louis
• Engage local & regional partners (i.e., Columbia Chamber, MCEDC, Leadership Council, Regional Chamber & Growth Ass’n.) in this effort
• Upgrade the City’s website in support of this effort
• Maintain building & site listings using Location One Information System (LOIS) as the primary platform

Maintain and distribute timely information on Columbia’s demographics, business mix, and economic potential

• Update community profile with the Illinois Department of Community & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)

Stimulate more commercial activity on Main Street
Enhance design consistency and the historic character of this corridor

• Develop a comprehensive Main Street redevelopment strategy that includes market analysis, targeted street/building improvements and planning for adequate parking/transit service

Increase private investment in Main St. properties

• Work with the new Main St. Business Association (MSBA) to support business expansion and recruit new businesses into the corridor

Develop and market local sites & facilities that will entice visitors and locals to learn more about Columbia’s history and heritage

Market Columbia and Monroe County as tourist destinations

• Secure attraction signage from I-255 and IL-3 to Columbia destinations
• Finalize Intergovernmental Agreement & staffing for the Monroe County Welcome Center
• Continue the strategic marketing campaign to increase use of Columbia’s lodging and conference facilities

Develop community signage that blends aesthetics and commercial promotion in the highest & best manner

Assist MSBA in securing signage on I-255 for “Historic Main St. Columbia” and installing banners along Main St.
Review community entrance signage and informational banner use to reduce clutter and improve aesthetics

Enhance Columbia’s reputation as one of the most desirable communities in the region through adoption of updated planning

Review and update the City’s Master Plan (recommended every five years)

• Incorporate the new Main St. redevelopment strategy into the Master Plan
• Incorporate Plan Commission recommendations from the Senior Services Assessment into planning

Expand resources for parks & recreational uses to make Columbia “a great place to play”

Develop a comprehensive plan for use and development of grounds and facilities

• Complete a parks & recreation plan that will be incorporated into the City’s Master Plan
• Continue to pursue grants from the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources and other sources
• Develop a program of grants, planned giving and other mechanisms to fund long-term improvements

Enhance parks & recreation services and expand public access to facilities

• Continue to review facility use and special event practices to improve service
• Incorporate maintenance & scheduling of American Legion Fields into day-to-day operations

Support community activities, celebrate milestones and add to the local quality of life

Employ strategic analysis and community partnership for all events to reduce costs, build traffic and increase economic returns to the community
Initiate an ambassadors program to increase volunteer support for events

Implementation of these initiatives begins today.