Glen Ellyn

Q. What signs of economic turnaround do you see in the communities your chamber serves?A. Currently our membership is not reporting any increased/decreased business activity. We seem to be in a positive holding pattern. However, we have seen increased attendance at many of our community events.Q. Please identify one project that is an example of that turnaround.A. This year the Taste of Glen Ellyn attracted the largest crowd in its 29- year history. We feel this is an indication that local residents and nonlocal residents are looking for ways to take advantage of events that are close to home and have a willingness to start spending on entertainment again. Further, as a hometown event, we believe attendees are hungry for ways to support their community while enjoying themselves.Q. What type of new development will be most prevalent? Retail, residential, industrial, office or something else?A. Retail activity would be the most desirable, coupled with a growth in increased residential sales. Glen Ellyn does not have an industrial base and consequently must look to its residential, retail and office strength to start the ball rolling again.Q. How optimistic are you that vacant storefronts and office buildings will be filled during this turnaround? Why or why not?A. We are very hopeful that when the economy does begin to turn around that it restarts economic development and encourages private and corporate entities to consider starting up new business enterprises.Q. What do you think local, state and/or national government leaders could do to enhance the recovery?A. All levels of government should seek ways to reduce taxes. This is always most attractive to consumers. They absolutely must foster new job opportunities and should also focus on new grant funding for start up business and fa#231;ade improvements.Q. Is there any pending legislation at those levels you particularly support? Any you oppose?A. We would support legislation that would increase job opportunities, and, conversely, oppose any increased taxation before substantive budget cuts are completed.Q. Do you agree that this will be a jobless recovery or are the suburbs more or less immune to that?A. No area is immune to the need for more jobs. Consumers must have jobs to develop non essential disposable income so that they can start spending again. Further, jobs must be an integral part of any recovery.Q. What is your chamber doing to best position its membership for the economic rebound? A. Our chamber is accelerating its workshops, seminars, and networking opportunities to assist our membership in new and creative marketing approaches, keep them apprised of changes in regulations that may impact their business and highlight new ideas that would enhance their appeal to consumers.Q. What is your town's biggest economic development wish? (i.e.: to fill a certain empty big box; to find a developer for a large vacant parcel; to create a town center, etc.)A. Glen Ellyn's attention needs to be on eliminating vacant storefronts. This becomes a direct source of sales tax revenue that supports the village budget and services provided.Additionally, it demonstrates a new vitality throughout the community and assist in changing attitudes about the bad economic times.Q. What is your community's single greatest asset or selling point to potential developers?A. Glen Ellyn has always touted its assets over the years that have attracted new residents and businesses to town. The Crown Jewels of Glen Ellyn are its excellent schools, the commuter railway, and the quaint downtown. Glen Ellyn is reminiscent of the New England character with its rolling topography, tree studded roadways and its small town flavor.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 chamber, in conjunction with the village, is currently reviewing a new master plan framework that has a number of recommendations on how to reinvigorate the business climate while enhancing its small town image. The future holds opportunities to see acceptable changes to Glen Ellyn as a whole and maintain its desirable character.