Hoffman Estates mayor says that economy is improving

Hoffman Estates Mayor William McLeod told business owners Wednesday in his state of the village address that he expects 2010 will be prosperous, breaking away from the current economic doldrums.

He pointed to last year's openings of corporate businesses toolmakers Mori Seiki and BIG Kaiser as indications of a turnaround.

He made no major announcements during the address, but he delivered it at a new venue. For the first time, the Hoffman Estates Chamber of Commerce event took place at the Sears Centre, which is now under village ownership.

"The village has worked with several retailers trying to help them stay in business," he told chamber members. "By working in partnership with the chamber of commerce regarding programming, marketing and business development and making direct-retention calls to retailers, staff has attempted to assist in these rough economic times."

He also praised the village's recent branding efforts for the area around Sears Centre. The village has worked to establish the "Poplar Creek at 59/90" brand, a reference to Rt. 59 and Interstate 90 and the long-shuttered Poplar Creek Music Theater. The entertainment district was supposed to be filled with shopping, restaurants and a new music theater, but the economy has kept development away.

"To better assist people in locating entertainment district tenants, such as Sears Centre Arena, Cabela's and the Chicago Marriott Northwest, the village installed nine way-finding signs," McLeod said. "These signs are located just inside the three gateways to Poplar Creek at 59/90."

McLeod did mention that this year will also bring in two new restaurants: The Saddle Room with its off-track betting parlor and Rookies sports bar.

Attendees asked how the village's plan to install red-light cameras at five intersections would impact businesses. McLeod said the village hasn't seen any studies, but would research the topic. The village board could approve the cameras next week. After that, it might take the Illinois Department of Transportation three months to grant permission to install the cameras.

McLeod said he envisions the Sears Centre being used for more civic events such as Wednesday's.

And Chamber Executive Director Cheri Sisson said she was pleased with the Sears Centre staff's work on the event. "I've never worked with a finer bunch of professional individuals."

She also said she was impressed by McLeod's remarks and she called for chamber members to continue moving forward with their business plans.

The event was catered by Levy Restaurants, which is trying to keep the food concession. The event could be an audition for the long-term Sears Centre contract, as new arena manager Global Spectrum has indicated it wants to bring parent company Comcast Spectacor's Ovations food services into the arena.