Hoffman Estates helps local businesses
A year after breaking away from the Woodfield Chicago Northwest Convention Bureau, Hoffman Estates has published its own visitors guide, delivered to hotels last week. The full-color brochure features Cabela's, the Sears Centre and skaters from the Chicagoland Inline Marathon on the cover. It's a far cry from the alleged "Schaumburg-centric" guide Trustee Gary Pilafas and other board members complained about last year. Director of Economic Development Gary Skoog said the initial run is small, as the cost of printing was high. Village officials want to see how much of an impact the guide makes.
Skoog is saying the village is taking other steps to help local businesses while shoppers watch their banking account during the recession.
Linda Schreck, the village's director of tourism, with the assistance of the chamber of commerce is helping to conduct a survey. Village officials hope the responses will aid them in giving businesses the support they need.
This bears watching, because in the state representative races in the 44th and 56th district, helping local businesses was one point all four candidates repeated.