Retail Recruitment Committee To Focus On Historic Downtown

The Blair Area Chamber of Commerce Retail Recruitment Committee was formed in the fall of 2002 to develop a plan to encourage new retail businesses to invest in Blair. The committee studied the Hyatt Palma Downtown Action Agenda, a study done in 2000 under the direction of the Gateway Development Corporation, The City of Blair and the Blair Area Chamber of Commerce. The focus of this study revolves around the Downtown Business District.

The Retail Recruitment committee members are: Mike Earleywine, Kay Young, Rhonda Matthews, Gary Kirch, Kathleen Smith, Frank Wolff, Debbie Jacobsen and Harriet Waite. The committee decided that this Blair Retail Development project will focus on the Historic Downtown Area. The committee has been aggressive in putting together this package of incentives for prospective retail business owners. With the cooperation of Gateway Development Corporation, the City of Blair, the Chamber of Commerce, local lending institutions and building owners, this packet includes information about the Gateway Development Interest Rate Buydown Program, New Retail Rent Buydown program and pictures and information about current available downtown real estate. The intent of this committee is to bring in new business while preserving quaintness of this business district by encouraging restoration and facelifts to existing buildings. For more information, please call Harriet Waite at the Blair Chamber Office (402) 533-4455 or Trista Farrens at Gateway Development Corporation (402) 233-7140.