By Marisa Gray
It is a new year and Business West recently approved its program of work for 2013. Business West will move ahead in its final stages of developing a benefit district along the State Avenue and 78th Street corridor. The goal is to have the district operational by the end of the year.
About four years ago, Business West contracted with a well-known retail consultant, Rick Segel. He said the area needs two major changes– a new identity and more rooftops.
Business West is pleased that there are three major market-rate apartments that will be built soon in West Wyandotte County. And there is a strong possibility of a fourth apartment development. The catalyst for most of this development is the Cerner Corporation that is building an office complex at I-435 and State Avenue. An estimated 4,000 people will work there earning an average annual wage of about $57,000.
Creating a new identity for the State Avenue corridor will be a major project for Business West as soon as the benefit district is organized. An 11-member advisory committee will make recommendations how marketing money is spent to promote the corridor. That group could create a name for the corridor, put banners on utility poles and develop timely promotions.
Business West will continue to call on all units of local government, urging all elected officials to be good stewards of property tax revenue. We are pleased that the Unified Government is looking ahead to 2017 when bonds that financed Village West are paid off and property taxpayers will experience well-deserved lower taxes.
Plans also call for Business West to again publish its Looking West directory in cooperation with the Leavenworth Road Association.
Business West will continue to cooperate with organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, the Wyandotte Economic Development Council and various neighborhood business associations. Representatives of these groups meet monthly at the Chamber of Commerce office to share information and to plan cooperative activities.
Business West will conduct an investment program as it encourages new members. The reason that Business exists is because it has members who have invested in the organization. To learn how you can put your investment to work for your business, telephone our executive director, Murrel Bland at 913-766-4300 or 913-466-6266 (cell) or e-mail [email protected].
Marisa Gray is president of Business West.