Bloomingdale mayor: local economy stabilizing, improving
While Bloomingdale continues to struggle with economic worries shared by communities throughout the area, Village President Bob Iden said it is seeing some encouraging signs.
Iden presented his annual State of the Village address Thursday before members of the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce, outlining steps officials have taken to improve the local economy.
“Most communities have been wrestling with how to stabilize revenues and keep them stabilized, which has been a problem for the past three or four years,” Iden said. “One of my goals in this has always been trying to retain businesses and keep them here in an environment that is beneficial.”
Iden said leaders were concerned that Wal-Mart on Army Trail Road and the Thornton’s gas station on Lake Street would leave the community due to financial woes, but both went for upgrades instead. Thornton’s was completely remodeled, while Wal-Mart recently took out permits with Bloomingdale to expand into a Super Wal-Mart that will include groceries.
That expansion was set to start last year, but Iden said the economy caused a delay.
“The economy has had an impact on companies from the largest to the smallest,” he said. “(But) that’s what I like to see: retaining those businesses and putting money back into the community.”
He added that H.H. Gregg filled a key vacancy at the old Circuit City site, and Ross clothing store opened at a vacant site in Bloomingdale.
Iden also highlighted other new developments that will add to Bloomingdale’s quality of life, including a $4.9 million upgrade of the water treatment plant that will be complete in June, and Community Consolidated School District 93’s plans to build a new preschool.
But the highlight, he said, is the new Scottish Rite headquarters that will soon be complete at Lake Street and Bloomingdale Road. The private organization has up to 8,000 members who will patronize Bloomingdale businesses, Iden said.
“What I really wanted to do is have an identity for that corner, and I think we’ve done that,” he said.
Within Bloomingdale’s own ranks, Iden said leaders have done some cost-cutting. Thirteen positions have been eliminated within the village in the past year, he said, bringing the number of employees to about 100.
He also discussed Bloomingdale’s coming decision on whether to consolidate its 911 services with the Addison Police Department, a proposal that has met some public resistance. There will be a town-hall meeting on the issue at 7 p.m. March 14.
“We are looking at this as a positive to save money and save efficiencies,” Iden said. “We will explain the purposes, pros and cons, and hopefully come out with something to give us a better comfort level to move forward.”
Bloomingdale has a balanced budget due to cost-cutting, Iden said. He added that the village’s $1 million annual road repair program is on track, thanks to revenues from motor fuel taxes.
Other taxes are getting healthier too, he said. Sales taxes have been up 2 percent to 3 percent over the past eight months, Iden said, and local hotels are holding steady without any revenue drops.
To build on this momentum, Bloomingdale is working with the chamber of commerce on business promotion initiatives that include focus groups. Leaders already have met with restaurant owners, and they will soon meet with retail owners.
“They gave us good pointers on why they chose us, why they are staying and what Bloomingdale can do for them,” he said.
Iden finished by saying he is encouraged by the stabilization and progress in Bloomingdale, but it’s too soon to say the village is done feeling the effects of the recession.
“I don’t think we’re in a situation yet where we can say we’re a lot better off than we were a year ago, but I’m hoping I can say that next year,” Iden said.