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Committee discusses steps to spur local business: outreach, point of contact and property options
Summary
Members suggested a point of contact to help prospective businesses, outreach to DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation and NIU, and volunteered to contact the owner of a closed laundromat as part of efforts to address vacant properties and attract grocery or gym tenants.
The committee spent substantial time brainstorming ways to promote existing and future business in the village. Chair (speaker 2) said the village should avoid micromanaging business decisions and instead help entrepreneurs get projects moving. Members proposed creating a designated village point of contact—possibly a trustee, clerk or the mayor—to guide prospective business owners through necessary permits and next steps.
Speakers suggested tapping external resources, including the DeKalb County Economic Development Corporation and NIU, to assist with incubator services and outreach. One committee member volunteered to contact the owner of the closed laundromat to explore reopening; members also discussed barriers such as infrastructure shortfalls (parking, water/sewer) and financing constraints. The committee identified a small set of immediate next steps: compile local contacts, consider reactivating a development committee, and pursue outreach to the laundromat owner and county economic-development staff.
