Rolling Meadows

Q. What signs of economic turnaround do you see in the communities your chamber serves?A: Due to a very slow and unpredictable rebound in the economy, most sectors of the community have not seen or experienced a significant shift in economic turnaround yet. We are still dealing with empty office and retail spaces, and commercial properties waiting to be sold and/or redeveloped.Although a few of our Top 12 employers have experienced an increase in employees or maintained what they have, most had a decrease in their employment base last year and are not yet rehiring. We have had several new restaurants open within the past six months and we also have had a few new businesses that moved into Rolling Meadows and/or are in the process of moving into our community that have significant presence.Q. Identify one project that is an example of that turnaround.A: The formerly empty Mori-Seiki building that is over 52,000 square feet will hopefully be occupied this fall by a world class, high-end automated assembly company that will bring additional skilled jobs to our area; domestic and foreign investment (due to its international operations); regional as well as a global customer base; and additional community spending by employees and pharmaceutical customers/clients visiting.Q. What type of new development will be most prevalent? Retail, residential, industrial, office or something else? A: A combination of mixed-use development that includes retail and residential. We also need our current office buildings filled with employers and employees who will then shop and eat at our establishments. Our manufacturing base is also an important link to keeping Rolling Meadows a viable and growing community.Q. How optimistic are you that vacant storefronts and office buildings will be filled during this turnaround? A: The challenge has been and continues to be not only filling existing empty retail and office space as quickly as possible but to stay ahead of any other spaces that could become vacant in the near future that we have no prior knowledge of. I don't think any community or chamber was prepared for the economic downturn we have been experiencing. I certainly never expected to see our Sam's Club close, leaving behind a large empty retail space that will not be easy to fill as is.Although the Rolling Meadows Chamber continues to work with our city to provide resources and partner wherever we can on economic development-related projects and programs to help strengthen our business community, there is still a lot of uncertainty as to when we will feel and see a substantial rebound in the economy.Q. What do you think local, state and/or national government leaders could do to enhance the recovery?A: The programs offered by the state or federal government for small businesses are only as good as businesses can access them. It is very difficult for a business to expand if they cannot meet all the new rules and regulations imposed in order to qualify for a small business loan. Any meaningful incentives would be helpful. It is becoming more and more difficult for businesses to survive or thrive if they are constantly being hit with new or additional taxes on a federal, state and county level.Q. What is your chamber doing to best position its membership for the economic rebound?A: As a membership-driven organization, we are continually reaching out to our business community to try and understand their needs and offer appropriate resources, legislative support, beneficial programs and marketing opportunities.Q. What is your town's biggest economic development wish?A: I believe the city would like to see any of the long-term redevelopment projects finally happen and completed such as the former Dominick's shopping center strip; the current Woodfield Twelve Oaks site; the Star Line Rail project; and now a suitable replacement for the empty Sam's Club.Q. What is your community's single greatest selling point to developers?A: Our great location with close access from 90 and 53.Q. Have the challenges presented by the current downturn forced you and your community to approach economic development differently? A: Unfortunately we have less economic incentives available that we can offer potential developers or businesses interested in locating to our community. As a result, we need to be more creative in what we can offer as a community to encourage development and attract new businesses. Having a pro-business attitude is important and understanding the needs of a particular industry is key to attracting and keeping them.