Schaumburg mayor to share village's 2013 plans

The fiscal cliff avoided, Schaumburg has reason to be optimistic about continued economic growth in the year ahead and Mayor Al Larson wants to tell you all about it.

Larson will give his annual state-of-the-village address before the Schaumburg Business Association at its monthly breakfast Jan. 8.

Larson will open with a film about the village's wellness program and then talk about all that will be new in business and recreation for Schaumburg in 2013.

Among the topics he'll touch on are the proposed new tax-increment finance district to spur redevelopment near the convention center and Motorola, and a new management company for Woodfield Mall — Simon Property Group — that has an ownership interest as well.

“Now you've got someone who's got a piece of the action,” Larson said of Simon. “I think you're going to see Woodfield reaching out and bringing in a lot of high-end merchandise.”

He also plans to bring the audience up to speed on the impact the Schaumburg Regional Airport has on the health of the village's business community.

Though the moderate growth seen in 2012 encouraged officials about the prospects for 2013, all bets would have been off if the country had gone over the fiscal cliff.

Such an occurrence would have had a drastic impact on consumer spending not only in Schaumburg but across the nation, Village Manager Ken Fritz said.

But with that off the table, Schaumburg's original predictions for a more prosperous 2013 appear to be more valid again.

“The convention center is having its best year ever,” Larson said.

The SBA breakfast takes place from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 8 at Chandler's Banquets, 401 N. Roselle Road in Schaumburg. The cost for SBA members is $25 and for nonmembers $35. Online registration is available through early next week at schaumburgbusiness.com.