The City of Cheboygan Downtown Development Authority recently announced the creation of a retail subsidy program for new businesses. The intent of this program is to fill existing vacancies within the DDA District by providing incentives for new retail and restaurant businesses wishing to start up or relocate into the downtown area.

The purpose of this two-year program is to assist a new business by offering a reduced rent for the commercial property in the downtown area. This program is contingent on the landlord reducing the rent by 50%. The DDA would pick up the cost of 25% of the rent (up to $125 per month) and the new business owner would pay the remaining 25%. This agreement would be in place for the first year. During the second year of the agreement, the DDA and the landlord’s commitment will lower on a quarterly basis and the new business will be increasing their monthly rent. By the end of the two years, the new business will be paying the full rent. Offering a new business a reduced rent during their crucial first two years assists the business by giving them the freedom to focus on strengthening their business and not strap them down with a full rent payment.

For a new business to qualify for this program, they must provide a business plan for the DDA Economic Committee to review. Educating yourself about starting a new business is the key to successful business planning. Free and confidential business counseling is available from the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MI-sbTdc) certified business counselors. The Northern Lakes Economic Alliance offers informative and relevant business workshops targeted for small businesses. These workshops are coordinated in conjunction with local chambers of commerce. To schedule a business counseling appointment or to learn more about the business workshops, simply call the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce – 627-7183.

The NLEA recently opened a Business Resource Center in the Cheboygan Public Libarary. The Business Resource Center offers a wide variety of print and electronic guides and reference materials covering many relevant business topics, as well as suggested federal, state and local websites to assist with business formation and business planning. The NLEA is able to offer this valuable resource as a result of a partnership effort with local libraries, chambers of commerce, Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center (MI-sbTdc), and Northwest Michigan Works, among others.

There are benefits to both the landlord and the new business who wish to participate in the retail subsidy program. It benefits the landlord by filling a vacant storefront with a viable business. Perhaps after the two-year period, the new business will be ready to purchase the building from the landlord. The new business benefits from this program in that they will have a lower rent payment, but also that business will have a solid team of mentors from the DDA Economic Committee that will support and guide the new business.

For more information on this program, please contact the Downtown Enhancement Administrator’s office at City Hall – (231) 627-9931 or kguenther@cheboygan.org.

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I have a challenge to everyone reading this post: Support all of your favorite local businesses by giving them your business.

The thought for this challenge is quite simple, actually. What would you do if one of your favorite businesses closed up shop? Where would you go for that good or service? You know that saying, “you don’t know what you have until it’s gone?” That is so true. I do not want to find out what I will have to do if any of the businesses I frequent are gone forever. With this thought in mind, I challenge you Cheboyganites to show your support and community pride and buy local.

Don’t limit this challenge to stores and restaurants only. Think about the local places you frequent like the doctors, lawyers, and accounting offices or the hairdressers, barbers, dentists, insurance agencies, and banks. All of these businesses rely on us to keep them in business. The entire country is experiencing a recession, but let’s change that mentality in Cheboygan this week. We can create a down home, Cheboygan-style stimulus plan by helping our neighbors, friends, and family by conducting business locally.

Times haven’t been this tough for the local business owner in a long time. It is our job as members of this community to band together and support one another. We have the opportunity to build relationships with local business owners, which will in turn provide you with a high level of personalized customer service. We have a fabulous community and there is a sense of pride when you support a local business. Keeping your hard earned dollars in our local community is a win/win for everyone.

Please join me and keep our local dollars here in Cheboygan.

Downtown Cheboygan has jumped on the bandwagon by creating a Facebook page. The page is gaining in popularity and to count we over 700! It wouldn’t surprise me if by the summer we have over 1,000 fans.

The Downtown Cheboygan fan page is a useful tool that allows me to communicate with active, interested people about everything regarding downtown. You will find valuable information on the Downtown Cheboygan fan page, such as events, meeting dates and times as well as pictures of recent community activities. You will even find some downtown business owners blogging on the fan page. Some downtown businesses have Facebook pages of their own. Social networking sites have opened the doors for businesses to allow them to create their own pages to educate and inform fans of the new, innovative things happening in their stores, restaurants, and businesses.

If you are a user of Facebook, please become a fan of the Downtown Cheboygan page and support your local Downtown businesses. If you are not familiar with Facebook, check it out at www.facebook.com.

The month of December becomes a blur to me. Every year for my family December is the month that I vaguely remember. We are so focused on the holidays and all of the events or activities that surround it, we barely have a chance to breathe and the normal day-to-day activities seem to take a backseat. We find ourselves rushing to this event or that activity so when December finally comes to an end, we find ourselves staring at each other with sighs of relief and just plain exhaustion that once again the month of December is now just a distant memory.

Now is the time to regroup, my friends! We are now finding our weekends less hectic and we have spare time to spend with our families and friends. What do you do with that additional time? Have you considered spending some extra time in Downtown Cheboygan? Here are some ideas to chase away the winter doldrums:

Restaurants: Downtown is home to several fantastic dining establishments. Whether you are a family looking for a laid-back, home cooking type of atmosphere or an evening on the town that may include drinks and dinner with friends, Downtown has something for everyone. Take this time and experience the variety of Downtown eateries that are available.

Shopping: Now is the time to familiarize yourself with the merchants located in the Downtown district. Stores are going to be offering deals on winter merchandise soon, so take the chance to stock up on your favorite items. Have you ever window shopped? It is such fun and what a way to see what a store has to offer. Their windows are their calling cards. Take a stroll along Main Street and you will see the ever changing window displays. The next time you are in need of a particular item, you will recall the Downtown store that carries that special item you are looking for. Downtown has such a variety of merchants, take the time to visit the stores and reacquaint yourself with Downtown.

Entertainment: Movies are a great option for the entire family or for a date night. The Opera House schedule has a full February with performances by Kathy Kosins, Western Michigan University’s Brass Quintet, and the Northern Michigan Has Talent Show. For those of you looking to see live music, check out the area pubs and bars as many offer live musical performances during the evenings. Another great option (especially with the mild weather we are experiencing) is a walking tour of Downtown Cheboygan. Grab your coats, boots, hats and gloves and take a leisurely stroll along Main Street and don’t miss the new pedestrian bridge across the Cheboygan River. It is definitely a view you will want to experience any time of the year.

Downtown Cheboygan is the place to shop, dine & unwind!

This is a time when we find ourselves reflecting on our lives. For my column space this week, I wanted to reflect on the progress Downtown Cheboygan has experienced since I started working here. The following is a checklist that illustrates the progress Downtown and Downtown Development Authority has achieved over the past five years:
• A pedestrian bridge was built over the Cheboygan River to create an economic link between Downtown and Major City Park.
• DDA purchased the former F.W. Woolworth building with plans to demolition the building.
• Main Street underwent a complete reconstruction project in 2009 which included new curb, gutters and sidewalk, storm sewer and water main system replacements and upgrades, and upgraded traffic signals. Main Street was closed for two months for the construction project. The DDA sponsored a free seminar which offered advice and tips for Main Street businesses facing road projects. The DDA also developed a marketing campaign to advertise, promote and market Downtown Cheboygan during the Main Street rebuild.
• The DDA was awarded $667,000 in federal grant funds from the Michigan State Housing & Development Authority (MSHDA). The grant program, Vibrant Small Cities Initiative was to be used for specific downtown projects, including the construction of the footbridge, marketing study and wayfinding signage plan.
• Marketing & Wayfinding Study was completed for Downtown Cheboygan. The survey identified the community’s shopping habits, preferences, likes and dislikes. The study also included a Wayfinding Signage Plan, market analysis, development of a new Downtown logo, and possible development scenarios for the Woolworth building.
• DDA received a $122,000 grant from MSHDA for downtown rental rehabilitation.
• DDA has sponsored special events such as the Downtown Street Fair, Music Festival, Trick-or-Treating, Sidewalk Sales, Hard Hat Sales, and Hospitality Night. The DDA has also been a sponsor of Cheboygan Riverfest, a weeklong event coordinated by the Cheboygan Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourist Bureau.
• DDA and Cheboygan Area Arts Council (CAAC) collaborated regarding public art placement, including the development of Ottawa Park, a public art park that was created by the community for the community on the corner of Main & State Streets. It is currently managed by the ‘Friends of Ottawa Park’, a non-profit group. The park includes a pavilion, a mosaic bench, canvass mural displays which change quarterly, and a sculpture that depicts Lake Huron. Other typical park amenities include landscaping and park benches.
• Downtown beautification efforts are provided by private organizations as well as with partnerships with the DDA. Seedums Garden Club provides flower baskets with cooperation from the City Recreation department in watering the flowers daily. Citizens National Bank provided financial support for the flowers for five years. BKC Insurance volunteered to beautify the Water Street parking lot by purchasing brackets for the light poles, flower baskets, and landscaping. The City’s DPW crew painted parking lot lines and repaired the sidewalk in the marina area in 2008.
• City Council allowed snowmobile use on specific Downtown streets. Signage promoting Downtown Cheboygan as a destination accessible to snowmobiles is placed along the trail.
• Downtown Cheboygan brochures were created to promote the area. The colorful brochures are available throughout the area and also at the Michigan MDOT Welcome Centers.
• A Downtown Cheboygan quarterly newsletter is distributed in a Friday edition of the Cheboygan Daily Tribune.
• A website was created specifically for Downtown Cheboygan.
• Business Recruitment packets were created and distributed to potential businesses looking to start a Downtown business.
• Earth-friendly tote bags promoting Downtown Cheboygan are available for purchase at Downtown retail stores for $1.
• Cheboygan is named as one of the Michigan Cool City communities.
• DDA has created a Building Façade Improvement Grant program for reimbursement of costs associated with design of building front and rear façade improvements.
• City Council implemented an ordinance to allow sidewalk cafes or outdoor seating on Main Street and the Cheboygan River through the purchase of an annual permit.
• A Downtown Steering Committee was formed to serve as an advisory committee for Downtown enhancements. Members of this committee are Downtown stakeholders interested in working for the betterment of Downtown Cheboygan.
• DDA employed a part time Downtown Enhancement Administrator.