Lindenhurst/Lake Villa Chamber executive director shares town plans
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 Lindenhurst Lake Villa Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Connie Meadie.
Q. What new businesses are coming to town or have just opened?
A. Here are the new businesses going into Lake Villa: ID Labels, Trucking Transport, Jonela G Salon and RJW Investments. Lindenhurst: LV Nails, LA Tan, Extreme Games, Snap Fitness, Mattress Outlet, Richards Building Supply and All Suburban Driving School.
Q. What types of retail business are you specifically trying to attract right now?
A. I would have to say more retail, but would defer to the mayors and their vision for their communities.
Q. What is the best kind of support your village or city can give small business in your community?
A. I really believe that the villages need to work closely with the chamber and the business community. Thankfully, that's something that we have in the LLV area. We all assist each other in providing opportunities for small businesses, whether it's showcasing at events, holding job fairs for area businesses, or having local business participate in area festivals. When the public comes into the area to participate in these events, they eat at our restaurants, buy gasoline, and shop at our stores. We all work together for the good of our area. The chamber has a program in place with the villages to encourage people to shop locally, and offers coupons to the public.
The mayors, the township and the school systems attend our grand openings, ribbon cuttings, after-hours mixers and chamber luncheons to show their support for the businesses, which is great. They are always very supportive.
Both communities have economic development committees in place, and the chamber will offer referrals to the local EDC for businesses looking to relocate. We have had a number of new businesses open recently and I think it shows the high level of cooperation and assistance given by the villages to these startup businesses.
Q. What can a chamber do to assist its membership, particularly in this challenging economy?
A. A chamber can do a lot to assist its members. First and foremost, we have maintained the same rate for a base membership for five years. Our expo rates have stayed the same, our golf outing rates have stayed the same. We have cut costs internally rather than raise rates to our membership. We have started a program called Business Builders Breakfast and the purpose is to educate members on new technologies, customer retention, alternative marketing methods, you name it.
The majority of businesses in our area support the chamber and we really appreciate that support. We have actually lost very few members due to the economic times and as director, I am continually looking for "value-added" membership perks, whether it's offering a free ad when a business joins or offering free e-mail blasts to members. We really think of the chamber of commerce as a marketing arm of a business.
Each business has different needs and sometimes a chamber of commerce has to be flexible when it comes to working with different types of businesses. Our local chamber community genuinely "gets" it. We have always financially supported each other by shopping within the area, and work together beautifully with Lindenhurst, Lake Villa, Lake Villa Township and the schools to support the local businesses. Our chamber is partnering with the villages and one of our members to promote a local "stimulus" package for merchants, which will help increase awareness of shopping locally.