Fox Lake mayor promotes shopping, development
As part of an ongoing project, the Daily Herald asked local business and village leaders about what kind of economic development projects were on the way in their communities. Here are the answers from Fox Lake Mayor Ed Bender.
Q. How do you go about supporting business development in your community?
A. I've been in my current position a short time so I'm just getting started in visiting a number of our local businesses. In this time, I've met with the two remaining automobile dealerships and three of our marina boat dealers. The purpose is to see if working together we can establish a plan to encourage more shopping and development in Fox Lake.
Q. What is currently in the works (ground has been broken or will be in the next couple months)?
A. We are still working with a developer and banks to locate a hotel, banquet hall, boat facilities and a game room for children and young adults on Route 12.
Q. What is in the planning stages?
A. We've just started working with one of the auto dealerships to expand the showroom and inventory storage areas.
Q. What is your town's biggest economic development wish?
A. At this time, it is highly desirable to move ahead with the items mentioned above that are currently in the works. This would provide a solid anchor base to attract families to visit for extended periods of time instead of just the day visits.
Q. What is your community's single greatest asset or selling point to potential developers?
A. The biggest asset we have is being located in the middle of three lakes, with the Metra train and Route 12 for automobiles. There are many convenient ways for visitors to come to Fox Lake.
Q. Have the challenges presented by the current downturn forced you and your community to approach economic development differently? What are the changes and how well are they working?
A. The present economic downturn is forcing us to be more business-friendly to not only our current base, but also to aggressively seek new business. We are in the process of examining our planning commission and zoning boards to provide more efficient and expedient process for them when they come to the village.
As this just started since I took office, I am hoping to have this in ordinance form for the village board soon. As mayor, I personally will take an active role in business development meeting with the current base of businesses in Fox Lake, aggressively pursue new development, and visit surrounding village mayors and village administrators.