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Itasca aims to attract, connect businesses

To help stave off effects of the recession, Itasca leaders are launching a multipronged approach to attracting and connecting local businesses.

In addition to creating a business e-newslettter and creating networking events, leaders are helping create a new chamber of commerce-style organization and even considering tax incentives to attract new retailers.

"It's like a shotgun approach," said Nicole Aranas, director of community development. "We're just trying everything and the response has been tremendous. Businesses want to network with the municipality and other businesses now more than ever because of the economic climate."

At the start of spring, Itasca launched its plan by sending out the first issue of Itasca Business News, an e-bulletin sent to all businesses in the village. Officials hope to send the bulletin every two months and want to always include a Dine Itasca section, which highlights another recent program created to offer discounts at local eateries for Itasca workers and residents.

"Our work force outnumbers resident population with about 600 businesses and 20,000 employees, so attempting to communicate with them and connect through traditional methods like the written newsletter is difficult," Aranas said. "This way there's not just one copy going to a business and people can get it at their desk."

While Itasca does not have a chamber of commerce, it once had the Itasca Business Council that included roughly 40 members. Aranas said the council's leader recently stepped down, so the village seized the opportunity to create the Itasca Business Network that will try to draw membership from all 600 local retailers and corporations.

The new group will aim to offer membership luncheons, networking opportunities, referral programs, business directory listings, outings and seminars.

"The village wants to continue the good work (the council) did, but reach out from just retail businesses toward larger sectors, like the large industrial base and office population we have with Hamilton Lakes," Aranas said.

Early this month, the village took a more informal approach by sponsoring its first after-hours networking. Aranas said she wasn't sure if the experiment would be a success, but almost 200 employees from Itasca businesses attended.

Additionally, the village board has considered two types of grants for downtown businesses in recent meetings. Village President Claudia "Gigi" Gruber said the first would attract new retail businesses or assist existing ones with expansion. Eligible expenses might include the first three months of rent, moving expenses and retail consulting, she said.

Gruber said the second grant would focus on exterior facade improvement grants for any downtown business. Typical eligible expenses may include facade improvements, signs and awnings, she said.

Both grants would be reimbursable, require a 50 percent match and would have a ceiling on funds available per business.

"This is preliminary, but the board will continue to discuss it in future meetings," Gruber said.

Aranas said the board likely will add these grants to its May agendas, when newly elected Village President Jeff Pruyn will be at Itasca's helm and officials will consider expenses for the new fiscal year.

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