Albert Avenue (May-August 2012) Two new redevelopment projects will begin to take shape along Ann Street Plaza. In order to accommodate the redevelopment, as well as future growth in the area, the City will improve the underground infrastructure.
Upgraded sewer and water utilities and new communication conduits will be installed below Albert Avenue. The area will also benefit from the replacement of streets, curbs and sidewalks. The project will begin in early May at the intersection of Albert Avenue and Charles Street and will proceed westward. It is anticipated that:
Ann Street Plaza (Fall 2012) In addition to the Albert Avenue infrastructure work, the final portion of this redevelopment project will be the construction of the redesigned Ann Street Plaza. The clock tower will remain in its current location on the plaza and several other site amenities will be added, including raised landscape areas, a stage, an outdoor fireplace and interactive musical elements. Parking spaces will be removed from the plaza and new spaces will be created along the street. The goal of the plaza redevelopment is to create a more attractive and utilized public space for residents and visitors. Ann Street Plaza will be closed for construction in the fall.
For additional information, view a map here. Questions? Contact the Department of Public Works at (517) 337-9459 or e-mail Bob Scheuerman at bscheue@cityofeastlansing.com.
In an effort to better serve the downtown business community, the East Lansing Police Department (ELPD) is in the process of organizing a Business Watch Program for local businesses. Modeled after Neighborhood Watch, Business Watch takes the “neighbors looking out for neighbors” concept to the commercial level, creating a partnership between business, law enforcement and other organizations that represent business interest.
Lt. Tom VanDerWoude will be responsible for organizing this group. If you are interested in participating, please e-mail him at tvander@cityofeastlansing.com. If there are multiple contacts at your business, please provide them as well. The ELPD is also meeting with the East Lansing Downtown Management Board and Downtown Development Authority about this program.
The Community Relations Coalition (CRC) will be hosting the first-ever Taste of East Lansing event on Saturday, April 21 from 5-8 p.m. in downtown East Lansing. The event, located in Parking Lot 1 off of Albert Avenue, will feature food samples served up by local East Lansing restaurants, a silent auction, a raffle and a variety of children’s activities. There will also be live music and entertainment, including action-packed performances by Three Eyed Fish, RCAHpella, the Bard Owls and the MSU Breakdance Club.
A portion of the proceeds from this event will go to the CRC and its charity partner, the Rotary Club of East Lansing, to help fund its signature “Playground in the Park Re-Imagined” project at East Lansing’s Patriarche Park. For updates on the Taste of East Lansing event, including vendor announcements, raffle prizes and silent auction items, check back at the CRC's website (www.wealllivehere.org/tasteofeastlansing) closer to the date and follow the CRC on Facebook and Twitter.
Crystal Awards Ceremony – April 19 www.cityofeastlansing.com/crystalawards
Taste of East Lansing – April 21 wealllivehere.org/tasteofeastlansing
East Lansing Art Festival – May 19-20 www.elartfest.com
MSU's Spring Arts & Crafts Show – May 19-20
Be a Tourist In Your Own Town – June 2 www.lansing.org/events/batyot
Dirty Feat Urban Adventure Race – June 16 www.dirtyfeat.org
Summer Solstice Jazz Festival – June 22-23 www.eljazzfest.com
Summer Concert Series – June 29-Aug. 4 www.cityofeastlansing.com/summerconcertseries
East Lansing Farmer's Market – July 8-Oct. 28 www.cityofeastlansing.com/FarmersMarket
Moonlight Film Festival – July 12-Aug. 23 www.cityofeastlansing.com/communityevents
Downtown Sidewalk Sales – July 19-22 www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown
Great Lakes Folk Festival – Aug. 10-12 www.greatlakesfolkfest.net
Broad Art Museum Opening – Fall 2012 broadmuseum.msu.edu
Girls Night Out – Oct. 6
Great Pumpkin Walk – Oct. 26
For more information, check out www.cityofeastlansing.com/communityevents.
The DMB will be offering funds for co-op advertising with the media outlet of the businesses choice through June 30, 2012. The DMB has also expanded the program to include internet advertising. For web or e-mail communications, the DMB logo must be placed in a conspicuous place with a link back to www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown. In the case of a banner ad, pay-per-click ad campaign or search engine optimization, the business must incorporate “Shop Downtown East Lansing” in the ad copy or include the linked DMB logo in the landing page a user is taken to upon clicking the ad.
Advertising funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The amount of co-op advertising available to each business is $300. However, those businesses that have already participated in previous co-op advertising programs this year will only be permitted to use the remainder of their $300 total allocation. Businesses that took part in those co-op programs will be notified of their remaining balance. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or call (517) 319-6877.
Don’t forget to sign up to participate in the next First Friday on April 6. It’s FREE to get involved! More than 100 businesses have signed up to participate in Greater Lansing’s First Friday. A number of businesses have specials, extended hours and special events. Visit LansingFirstFridays.com to register your business. You will receive promotion on the First Friday website, free promotional materials and free marketing, advertising, media coverage and social media coverage.
CATA transportation is free on all buses from 7 p.m. to end of service. The Entertainment Express trolley is free with service every 15 minutes between downtown Lansing and East Lansing and dozens of places along the way. If you would like to receive additional information about First Fridays, e-mail dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com, visit LansingFirstFridays.com or call (517) 377-1410.
The DMB continues to work on offering a gift card program for downtown East Lansing businesses, which would be similar to gift cards that can be purchased at malls and other local shopping centers. In order for the Gift Card Program to be successful, we need to know the number of businesses that would be interested in participating in the program. Please contact Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or by calling (517) 319-6877, to let us know if you are interested in being a participating retailer. Your interest at this time is not a commitment.
The concept is that gift cards would be available to purchase at East Lansing City Hall and a second location, to be determined. Businesses that accept the gift cards would be listed specifically in the marketing materials and on the East Lansing downtown website. The gift card transaction would be handled the same as a Visa or MasterCard sales transaction.
City staff is currently working on expanding the business information available on the City of East Lansing downtown webpage. Additional information about each business will include products sold, special store activities, and a list of nearby businesses. We will also be including an interior photo of each business. Please watch your mail for additional information about this project.
The Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, designed by the world-renowned, Pritzker Prize winning architect, Zaha Hadid, is scheduled to open to the public in the fall of 2012.
The Broad Museum and MSU are currently organizing a series of Countdown to the Broad events including ‘The Broad Without Walls’, a juried urban intervention show, open to public participation. In addition, museum staff, including Director, Michael Rush, Curator, Alison Gass, and others, will host regular conversations highlighting up-and-coming artists and trends in contemporary art based on visits to galleries, museums, and events in different locations across the nation and the world.
The Broad Museum’s inaugural exhibitions, both opening Fall of 2012, curated by founding director Michael Rush, exemplify the museum's dual focus on presenting international contemporary art in all media, as well as thematic exhibitions that investigate contemporary works within a historical context.
The City of East Lansing Arts Commission is currently accepting proposals from artists interested in creating a commissioned public art mural in downtown East Lansing. The mural will be located adjacent to the south stairwell of the Division Street Parking Ramp, 430 Albert Avenue, in downtown East Lansing. This project is one of several initiatives aimed at enriching the downtown East Lansing experience for Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum visitors.
We hope you've had a chance to check out the business tools and resources on the City's economic development Website: www.cityofeastlansing.com/development. If you need any business assistance or support, do not hesitate to contact the Economic Development staff at (517) 319-6930.
Send all questions and comments to dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
Douglas Jester, Chair Vivian Keeney, Vice Chairperson Siham Baladi, Treasurer Nick Chilenko Michelle Gross Ray Walsh Victor Loomis, Councilmember
Heather Pope, (517) 319-6877
Copyright 2012, City of East Lansing
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The Downtown Management Board (DMB) is encouraging businesses to participate by having specials leading up to or on Valentine’s Day.
The DMB will be advertising in the local media, encouraging people to dine and shop in downtown East Lansing for Valentine’s Day. Co-Op funds for advertising are still available and advertising can be done with any media outlet.
Suggestions for specials include offering a 14% discount on a particular item; featuring a particular item or product; or offering a special on a service, appetizer or dessert.
There will be a Facebook event and information about specials on the Downtown East Lansing website. E-mail your event or special to dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
If you have any questions, call Heather Pope at (517) 319-6877. Thank you for your time and consideration. We are excited to hear from you!
The Crystal Awards, hosted annually by the East Lansing City Council, honor individuals, groups, organizations, businesses and commercial enterprises that have gone above and beyond to enhance the quality of life in East Lansing. Community members are encouraged to help the City in honoring East Lansing’s unsung heroes by submitting nominations for deserving candidates. Nominations will be reviewed by a community selection committee, comprised of East Lansing residents, and four recipients will be honored, including three in the community category and one in the business category.
SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATION: The deadline to submit a nomination is Friday, Feb. 17 and an online form is available at www.cityofeastlansing.com/crystalawards. Paper forms are also available at East Lansing City Hall, the East Lansing Hannah Community Center and East Lansing City Hall.
COMMUNITY RECEPTION: Recipients will be honored at a ceremony on Thursday, April 19 at 5 p.m. at East Lansing Hannah Community Center. The ceremony is free and open to the public.
LAST CALL FOR SPONSORS: Sponsors have a unique opportunity to serve the community while also promoting their business. Contact the office at info@elartfest.com to learn more about donation opportunities, sponsorship levels and recognition packages.
SITE CHANGES: This year’s festival will take place on Abbot between Grand River and Elizabeth; Albert between Abbot and Grove; and in the parking lot behind Beggar’s Banquet. The festival stage will be located in the parking lot at City Hall. Pedestrian walkways and parking ramps will remain open and accessible over the weekend.
50th ANNIVERSARY: To honor the ELAF’s 50th anniversary in 2013, organizers are looking for historical remembrances, photos and anecdotes about past festivals. Share memorabilia by contacting the ELAF office at info@elartfest.com or call (517) 319-6804.
The DMB Business Relations Committee will host a Meet and Greet event on Feb. 28 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at Silver & Beyond. Please look for your invitation as the event approaches. Topics and information available at this Meet and Greet are snow removal requirements, downtown construction projects and the Downtown Business Watch Program. Staff from the East Lansing Public Library will be there to discuss resources the library has available for you and your business. We’ll also have information about 2012 DMB events.
213-217 Ann, St. Anne Project: Demolition and construction continues on the St. Anne project in downtown East Lansing on Ann Street Plaza. This is a four-story, mixed-use building with a restaurant on the first floor, outdoor seating and apartments on the additional floors.
211 Ann: Demolition and construction is scheduled to begin in the spring on an eight-story mixed use building at the northeast corner of Albert and Grove, on Ann Street Plaza. The first floor is proposed to be used for restaurant space, with extensive outdoor seating. The second through eighth floors are apartments.
Beginning in the spring, there will be infrastructure improvements along Albert between Grove and Collingwood. Every attempt will be made to keep intrusions and disruptions to a minimum during the infrastructure improvements, but portions of Albert will not be accessible during certain phases of these infrastructure improvements. Construction notices and information will be provided to all downtown businesses to keep everyone informed of this upcoming project. There will also be information at the DMB’s next Meet and Greet.
Don’t forget to sign up to participate in the next First Friday on March 2. It’s FREE to get involved! As of Feb. 1, a total of 100 businesses have signed up to participate in Greater Lansing’s First Friday. A number of businesses have specials, extended hours and special events. Visit www.LansingFirstFridays.com to register your business. You will receive promotion on the First Friday website, free promotional materials and free marketing, advertising, media coverage and social media coverage.
It is important for East Lansing property owners to note that the East Lansing City Council recently adopted a new snow removal ordinance, Ordinance 1262, which will effectively change snow removal requirements this winter.
Property owners are reminded and encouraged to be a good neighbor this winter by removing snow from sidewalks adjacent to their properties. Under the new ordinance, snow that accumulates before noon on a property owner’s sidewalk must be cleared prior to midnight the same day. Snow that accumulates after noon must be cleared by midnight of the following day.
Ice removal requirements remain the same. Ice should be cleared or an abrasive (salt, sand, etc.) should be applied within 12 hours of formation. Snow and ice removal is monitored throughout the winter by East Lansing’s Parking and Code Enforcement (PACE.)
The City clears sidewalks in the high volume pedestrian traffic areas including the downtown, but property owners and business owners in this area are ultimately responsible for maintaining sidewalks adjacent to their properties.
The Downtown Management Board (DMB) is inviting downtown East Lansing merchants to take a few moments to share their thoughts about this year's holiday promotional weekend in downtown East Lansing.
CLICK HERE TO TAKE THE ONLINE SURVEY
The 2011 holiday promotional weekend included Green Friday on Friday, Dec. 2, which served as East Lansing's version of the popular day-after-Thanksgiving black Friday sales. It also included Winter Glow on Saturday, Dec. 3, which featured winter-inspired activities, merchant activities, restaurant specials and lighting of luminaries.
The DMB will use the data to guide next year's festivities.
Copyright 2011, City of East Lansing
The East Lansing Downtown Management Board (DMB) will be hosting the 2nd annual Green Friday event on Friday, Dec. 2 in downtown East Lansing. This annual event provides holiday shoppers with an opportunity to peruse the eclectic mix of shops, galleries, boutiques and restaurants located in East Lansing’s downtown.
More than 20 businesses will be participating this year, bringing a special East Lansing version of the popular day-after-Thanksgiving Black Friday sales to mid-Michigan residents and out-of-town visitors. Community members are encouraged to support local businesses this holiday season by participating in this fun shopping event.
Downtown East Lansing offers everything from the best in Michigan State University gear to original artwork, fine jewelry, clothing, sports gear, books and much, much more. Participating business hours will vary, but will range from 10 a.m.- 8 p.m. A coupon for free parking (good Dec. 2) will be available in an ad insert in the Lansing State Journal.
For more information, visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/greenfriday or contact Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6877.
The Winter Glow will take place on Saturday, Dec. 3, with winter activities from 3-6 p.m. and lighting of luminaries at 5 p.m. This new winter tradition will include many of the activities featured at the past Winter Bowl or Winter Festival, as well as a number of exciting new activities.
The event will feature ice carving, reindeer petting zoo, photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, horse and carriage rides, a kid’s winter carnival, marshmallow roasting, merchant activities, roasted chestnuts, hot chocolate and more. New activities include the special lighting of luminaries, a music tent, an outdoor movie, a holiday gift guide and a winter Farmer's Market.
The City will light more than 500 luminaries throughout the downtown streets; bringing a magical glow to the heart of the community. The holiday gift guide, “East Lansing’s Favorite Things,” will help shoppers find unique holiday gifts in downtown East Lansing.
Don’t forget to sign up to participate in the next First Friday, Dec. 2. It’s FREE to get involved! As of November, a total of 100 businesses have signed up to participate in Greater Lansing’s First Friday. A number of businesses have specials, extended hours, and special events. There are 21 East Lansing businesses that have signed up to participate. We hope to continue to increase the number of businesses participating in this event.
Visit LansingFirstFridays.com to register your business. You will receive promotion on the First Friday Web site, free promotional materials and free marketing, advertising, media coverage and social media coverage.
CATA transportation is free on all buses from 7 p.m. to end of service and the Entertainment Express trolley, with service every 15 minutes between downtown Lansing and East Lansing and dozens of places along the way, is free. If you would like to receive additional information about First Fridays, e-mail dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com, visit LansingFirstFridays.com or call (517) 377-1410.
The DMB welcomes two new businesses in downtown East Lansing.
This fall, CHASE Bank opened a new branch at 639 E. Grand River Ave. in the space occupied previously by Blockbuster. This bank will provide another convenient banking option for students and residents. Chase Bank undertook complete interior demolition and reset of the building for this branch.
Leo’s Coney Island opened a restaurant on the first floor of the Marriott Hotel building, 333 Albert Ave. The restaurant offers a scaled-down menu. The chain has about 40 other locations in Michigan. The space has 82 seats and offers dine-in and carry-out service.
Business leaders from around the Greater Lansing region will gather at Dublin Square Irish Pub in East Lansing on Thursday, Dec. 15 for LAUNCHED 2011, a celebration of local business innovation.
Now in its third year, LAUNCHED will once again honor emerging business innovators and student entrepreneurs with the Innovator of the Year awards, sponsored by the City of East Lansing’s Downtown Development Authority.
The event will feature a keynote address from Bo Fishback, co-founder and CEO of San Francisco-based Zaarly, an upstart online marketplace. Jacob Cohen, Vice President of Detroit Venture Partners and co-founder of Ugrub.com, and Min Jung Kim, Deputy Director of the Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, will also speak at this year’s LAUNCHED event.
"This year’s event promises to be even more exciting and offer more opportunities for entrepreneurial insight and networking than ever before,” said Jason Meyers, president of Live Concepts Media, producer of LAUNCHED 2011. “We are thrilled to have such high-caliber speakers joining us and the opportunity to once again acknowledge and celebrate the incredible level of innovation that is demonstrated by our local business community.”
Event tickets can be purchased for a discount in advance at www.LAUNCHEDevent.com. For information on sponsorship opportunities, visit www.LAUNCHEDevent.com or contact Jason Meyers of Live Concepts at jmeyers@liveconceptsmedia or (773) 875-8296.
213-217 Ann (St. Anne Project): Demolition and construction has begun on the St. Anne project in downtown East Lansing on Ann Street Plaza. This is a four-story, mixed-use building with a restaurant on the first floor, outdoor seating and apartments on the additional floors.
211 Ann: Demolition and construction will begin in the Spring of 2012 on an eight-story mixed use building at the northeast corner of Albert Avenue and Grove Street, on Ann Street Plaza. The first floor is proposed to be utilized for restaurant space, with extensive outdoor seating. The second through eighth floors are apartments.
Albert Avenue: Beginning in Spring of 2012, there will be infrastructure improvements along Albert between Grove and Collingwood. Every attempt will be made to keep intrusions and disruptions to a minimum during the infrastructure improvements, but portions of Albert will not be accessible during certain phases of these infrastructure improvements. Construction notices and information will be provided to all downtown businesses beginning in January 2012, to keep everyone informed of this upcoming project.
The DMB is once again offering Co-Op funding for Holiday advertising. Holiday advertising can be done with any media outlet the business selects. You may contact the media of your choice rather than wait for them to contact you. The amount of Co-Op advertising funds available to each business during the period of July 1, 2011–June 30, 2012 is $300. Holiday advertising is one of many opportunities for businesses to participate in the Co-Op Advertising Program. If you would like to more information, visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown or call (517) 319-6877.
The DMB is currently looking into offering a gift card program for downtown East Lansing businesses, which would be similar to gift cards that can be purchased at malls and other local shopping centers. We need to know the number of businesses that would be interested in participating in the program, before proceeding with this project. Please contact Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6877 to let us know if you are interested in being a participating retailer. Your interest at this time is not a commitment.
The concept is that gift cards would be available to purchase at East Lansing City Hall and a second location to be determined. Businesses that accept the gift cards would be listed specifically in the marketing materials and on the East Lansing downtown Web site. The gift card transaction would be handled the same as a Visa or MasterCard sales transaction.
Please e-mail Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com if you would like Visitor’s Guides delivered to your store.
Green Friday - Friday, Dec. 2 www.cityofeastlansing.com/greenfriday
Winter Glow - Saturday, Dec. 3 www.cityofeastlansing.com/winterglow
Check out www.cityofeastlansing.com/communityevents for more information.
The East Lansing Downtown Management Board (DMB) will be hosting the Meet the Spartans event on Tuesday, Aug. 16 from 4:30-7 p.m. Meet the Spartans is an opportunity for the public to meet Coach Dantonio and members of the 2011 MSU football team and get autographs from 4:45 to 7 p.m. The MSU Dance Team and Cheerleaders will be there and there will also be face painting for kids.
The event will take place in Parking Lot #1 and on Albert Avenue. There will be two tents set up in Parking Lot #1 and a stage set up on Albert. The offensive and defensive team members will sit under the tents during the autograph session.
The following street and parking lot closures will occur on the day of the event:
Albert Avenue: Grove to M.A.C., 11 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Parking Lot #1: 2 a.m.-9 p.m.
The DMB is once again providing an exciting opportunity for downtown businesses to take part in the event by using the sidewalks in front of their business to display and sell merchandise.
For more information, contact Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6877.
On Saturday, Oct. 8, the DMB will be hosting a Girls Night Out event in downtown East Lansing. The event, taking place from 2:30-9 p.m., will include a fashion show, great shopping and dining. The fashion show will bring high fashion to the Marriott lobby from 3-3:45 p.m. featuring models wearing items available in downtown East Lansing shops.
We are asking all downtown businesses to participate in this exciting fashion, shopping and dining event. Your business can participate by providing items for the models to wear, having specials in your store that day or both! Restaurants can be involved by offering appetizer and dinner specials. If your business participates, you will be listed in the event brochure along with advertising in local print media outlets. Participating businesses will have doormen and red carpets placed in front of their doors, designating them as a participating business. There will also be transportation provided to take shoppers around downtown.
If you wish to participate in this event, please call (517) 319-6877 or send an e-mail to dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com. Include in the e-mail the following information:
1. Name of Business 2. Special(s) 3. If your business will be participating in the fashion show
All businesses that participate in this event must agree to offer a special and be open until 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8. You are not required to participate or provide an item for the fashion show. Also on that day, the MSU Student Apparel and Design Association will have items on display at (SCENE) Metrospace. This is a great opportunity to showcase all the great shopping and dining establishments there are in downtown East Lansing. We hope you will join in the fun!
Don’t forget to sign up to participate in the next "First Friday" on Aug. 5. It’s FREE to get involved! A number of businesses have specials, extended hours and special events. Visit LansingFirstFridays.com to register your business. You will receive promotion on the First Friday Web site, free promotional materials and free marketing, advertising, media coverage and social media coverage.
The DMB will once again be offering co-op money for Back-2-School advertising. Advertising can be done with any media outlet the business selects. You may contact the media of your choice rather than wait for them to contact you.
The amount of co-op advertising funds available to each business from July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012, is $300. Advertising for Back-2-School shopping is one of many opportunities for businesses to participate in the co-op advertising Program. There will be additional opportunities throughout the year. The DMB is providing the co-op funding through matching funds. For example, if a business decides to spend a total of $800 on advertising, the DMB will co-op $300 while the business covers the remaining $500. If a business spends a total of $300 on the advertising, the DMB will co-op $150 while the business covers the remaining $150.
The vendor must directly bill the DMB for the Co-Op allocation awarded to the business. The DMB is NOT responsible for any outstanding payment due from the business to the vendor. An outside vendor must be used for the advertising. The DMB will not approve or pay for any invoices for in-house work.
TV & RADIO. For television and radio, businesses will have their own 15-second commercial put in the middle of the DMB’s 30-second donut commercial. The commercial must state: “Downtown East Lansing Back-2-School Shopping, August 24th through September 7th.”
PRINT. If a business decides to go with print ad, the DMB’s logo must be placed somewhere in the ad. The ad must state: “Downtown East Lansing Back-2-School Shopping, August 24th through September 7th.” All selected media agencies will receive a copy of both the DMB commercial and logo for advertising.
INTERNET ADVERTISING. For web pages or e-mail communications created for the purpose of promoting a particular downtown product or service, the DMB logo must be placed in a conspicuous place in the content with a link back to the DMB Web site. In the case of a banner ad, pay-per-click ad campaign or search engine optimization, the business must incorporate “Downtown East Lansing Back-2-School Shopping, August 24th through September 7th” in the copy or include the linked DMB logo in the landing page a user is taken to upon clicking the ad.
Please note, only businesses that are located within the DMB District can be listed in the co-op advertisement. If a business chooses to list in their co-op ad a business which is located outside the DMB District, the ad becomes ineligible for the DMB co-op funding. The business will be required to submit a copy of the following items in order to be eligible for Back-2-School co-op funding. These items are due by Friday, Aug. 19:
1. Vendor contract and invoice.
2. A completed co-op contract agreement. A copy of the contract can be found at www.cityofeastlansing.com/dmb.
3. Verification of the ad. For TV or radio ads, please print a copy of the ad or commercial. For Internet ads, provide a screen capture or print off of the page or e-mail, a link or e-mail forward. Digital materials can be e-mailed to dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
Completed contracts and the print ad can be mailed to the following address: City of East Lansing, Heather Pope, 410 Abbot Road, East Lansing, MI 48823, or can be e-mailed to dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
The Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau (GLCVB) is currently gearing up to publish its annual Greater Lansing magazine. In 2012, the GLCVB will distribute approximately 130,000 copies of the magazine in hundreds of regional locations including hotels/motels, apartment complexes, airports, shopping complexes, information booths and college campuses.
The DMB will purchase a one-page ad highlighting 10 to 12 businesses that are located within the DMB district. Businesses that advertise on the DMB’s page will pay $250 toward their portion of their ad, with the DMB providing more than $500 in total advertising funding.
If more than 12 businesses are interested in advertising in the magazine, the DMB will consider the purchase of a two-page ad. All interested businesses need to contact the DMB no later than Friday, Aug. 5. A copy of the contract can be found at www.cityofeastlansing.com/dmb. For more information on advertising within the Greater Lansing magazine, contact Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or at (517) 319-6877 or Jan Pfeiffer, GLCVB, at (517) 377-1410.
DMB wishes to thank all participating businesses that opened their doors to U2 fans and offered specials on the concert day. On Sunday, June 26, East Lansing welcomed U2s 360° Tour to Spartan Stadium. The concert brought more than 65,000 U2 fans to the city.
Our community did an excellent job of hosting such a large number of people offering affordable parking, information and many business specials. Many local merchants saw increases in their business due to the influx of visitors to our community and downtown.
Visitors explored downtown East Lansing and enjoyed many of the downtown business offerings.
Demolition and construction will begin soon on an eight-story mixed use building at the northeast corner of Albert Avenue and Grove Street. The first floor is proposed to be used for restaurant space with extensive outdoor seating. The second through eighth floors will be apartments. Every attempt will be made to keep intrusions and disruptions to a minimum during demolition and construction. Beginning in August, you can look for updates on construction on the City‘s Web site at www.cityofeastlansing.com.
The DMB is providing $25 in co-op assistance to businesses that select to become first-time members of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). Businesses receive ad placement in the CVB Visitor Guide, invitations to quarterly social meet & greets, a listing on www.lansing.org and information listed on kiosks throughout greater Lansing. The co-op funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to 10 participants.
This summer, the Summer Concert Series will take place Fridays and Saturdays from 7-9 p.m. June 10-Aug. 6. This year, all of the concerts will take place at Fountain Square. Check out www.cityofeastlansing.com/communityevents for a lineup for this popular community event series.
Other summer community events will include the following:
Play in the Park - Tuesdays in July at 7 p.m.
Moonlight Film Festival - Thursdays, July 14-Aug. 5, 9:30 p.m. in July and 9 p.m. in August
Great Lakes Folk Festival - Aug. 12-14, www.greatlakesfolkfest.net
Meet the Spartans - Tuesday, Aug. 16 (4:30-8 p.m.)
East Lansing Farmer's Market - Sundays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., July 10-Oct. 30, www.cityofeastlansing.com/farmersmarket
Douglas Jester, Chair Vivian Keeney, Vice Chairperson Siham Baladi, Treasurer Ener Almanza Nick Chilenko Michelle Gross Ray Walsh Mayor Victor Loomis
Get ready for the Downtown East Lansing Sidewalk Sales, scheduled to be held July 14-17. The City of East Lansing and Downtown Management Board (DMB) are encouraging all downtown merchants and restaurants owners to take part in this event. Businesses are allowed to display and sell their merchandise in front of their business.
Businesses located within the DMB district that wish to advertise for the upcoming sidewalk sales event have the opportunity to use Co-Op funds. This year (July 1, 2011-June 30, 2012), businesses can use up $300 in matching funds for advertising. The Co-Op funds can be used with print, television, radio or Internet advertising.
For television and radio, businesses will have their own 15-second commercial put in the middle of the DMB’s 30-second donut commercial. The commercial must state: “Downtown East Lansing Sidewalk Sales, July 14th through July 17th.” If a business decides to go with a print ad, the DMB logo must be placed somewhere in the ad and the ad must state: “Downtown East Lansing Sidewalk Sales, July 14th through July 17th.” All selected media agencies will receive a copy of both the DMB commercial and logo for advertising.
For Web pages or e-mail communications created for the purpose of promoting a particular downtown product or service, the DMB logo must be placed in a conspicuous place in the content with a link back to the DMB Web site. In the case of a banner ad, pay-per-click ad campaign or search engine optimization, the business must incorporate “Downtown East Lansing Sidewalk Sales, July 14th through July 17th” in the ad copy or include the linked DMB logo in the landing page that a user is taken to upon clicking the ad.
Don’t forget to sign up to participate in the next "First Friday" on July 1. It’s FREE to get involved! As of June, a total of 89 businesses have signed up to participate in Greater Lansing’s First Friday. A number of businesses have specials, extended hours, and special events. There are 21 East Lansing businesses that have signed up to participate. We hope to continue to increase the number of businesses participating in this event. Visit LansingFirstFridays.com to register your business. You will receive promotion on the First Friday Web site, free promotional materials and free marketing, advertising, media coverage and social media coverage.
The DMB would like to congratulate Publicom Inc., an integrated marketing communications firm located in downtown East Lansing, for winning five national creative awards in the 28th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards competition. The firm, which specializes in developing strategic marketing campaigns for organizations in service industries, primarily healthcare, created the winning entries for three long-time clients: Great Lakes Cancer Institute, Ingham Regional Medical Center and Lapeer Regional Medical Center.
Publicom Inc. recently received four awards in the 25th Annual PACE Awards competition. Founded in 1979, Publicom Inc. is an integrated marketing communications firm specializing in brand development and on-brand behavior for service companies throughout the nation. Publicom provides strategic planning, marketing research, advertising, creative services, media planning services and public relations counsel to clients in a variety of service industries including health care, finance, insurance and education. For more information about the Publicom team, visit www.publicom.com.
Per City Code, vehicles are prohibited from stopping, standing or parking along Grand River Avenue. In recent months, the city has received an increase in the number of complaints about delivery vehicles parking along Grand River Avenue in downtown East Lansing. A delivery vehicle parking on Grand River Avenue creates traffic congestion along with safety concerns, especially during peak traffic hours.
All delivery vehicles must park in the alley way while making their deliveries. We are asking all business owners to speak with their vendors about this and remind the drivers to make all deliveries from the alley. Failure to adhere to this requirement may result in ticketing and our goal is to avoid this scenario. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6877.
On Sunday, June 26, East Lansing will welcome U2’s 360° Tour to Spartan Stadium. The DMB is encouraging downtown businesses to take advantage of this historic event by making downtown East Lansing a place people will remember and want to visit again. Merchants can participate by hosting a special event indoors or coming out onto the sidewalks with merchandise and fun activities. The DMB has received permission from City Council for all downtown businesses to use the sidewalks in front of their business. In addition, A-frame signs will be located throughout downtown listing the specials that businesses are offering that day.
Parking Information Ramps and surface lots will be available throughout downtown. The parking rate is $1.50 per hour and will cap at $15. The Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts will sell special event parking at Bailey Community Center ($10); Valley Court Community Center ($10); Lot #4 ($15); Lot #8 ($15); Lot #14 ($15) and Valley Court on-street ($15.) For more information, visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/u2.
On Saturday, Oct. 8, the Downtown Management Board will be hosting a Girls Night Out event in downtown East Lansing. The event, taking place from 2:30-9 p.m., will include a fashion show, great shopping and dining in the downtown. The fashion show will bring high fashion to the Marriott lobby from 3-3:45 p.m. featuring models wearing items available in downtown East Lansing shops.
We are asking all downtown businesses to participate in this exciting fashion, shopping and dining event. Your business can participate by providing items for the models to wear, having specials in your store that day or both! Restaurants can be involved by offering appetizer and dinner specials. If your business participates, you will be listed in the event brochure, along with advertising in local print media outlets. Participating businesses will have doormen and red carpet placed in front of their door, designating them as a participating business. There will also be transportation provided to take shoppers around downtown.
1. Name of Business
2. Special(s)
3. If your business will be participating in the fashion show
All businesses that participate in this event must agree to offer a special and be open until 9 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 8. You are not required to participate or provide an item for the fashion show. Also on that day, the MSU Student Apparel and Design Association will have items on display at (SCENE) Metrospace.
This is a great opportunity to showcase all the great shopping and dining establishments there are in downtown East Lansing. We hope you will join in the fun!
The DMB is providing $25 in Co-Op assistance to businesses that select to become first-time members of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB). Businesses receive ad placement in the CVB Visitor Guide, invitations to quarterly social meet & greets, a listing on www.lansing.org and information listed on kiosks throughout greater Lansing. The Co-Op funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to 10 participants.
The 2011 Visitor’s Guides are ready! The City has just received the newest version of the Visitor’s Guide. Please e-mail Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com if you would like Visitor’s Guides dropped off at your store.
Meet the Spartans - Tuesday, Aug. 16
On April 21, the City of East Lansing announced the 2011 Crystal Award recipients. This annual community program honors the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals, groups and businesses that have gone above and beyond to enhance the quality of life in East Lansing.
The DMB would like to congratulate Silver & Beyond for receiving the 2011 Business Crystal Award. Opened in 2004, Silver & Beyond is a downtown business that has gone above and beyond to contribute to the local community. For more information, visit www.cityofeastlansing.com.
On April 1, a total of 54 businesses participated in the Greater Lansing’s First Friday. A number of businesses had specials, extended hours and special events. There were 13 East Lansing businesses that participated. We hope to continue to increase the number of businesses participating in this event. It’s FREE to get involved! Visit LansingFirstFridays.com to register your business. You will receive promotion on the First Friday Web site, free promotional materials and free marketing, advertising, media coverage and social media coverage.
CATA transportation is free on all buses from 7 p.m. to end of service. The Entertainment Express trolley is free, with service every 15 minutes between downtown Lansing and East Lansing and dozens of places along the way. The next First Friday is May 6. If you would like to receive more information about First Fridays, e-mail dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com, visit the Web site or call (517) 377-1410.
Record Lounge, an all-vinyl record shop, has recently relocated to a larger space at 111 Division St. The store, which opened in 2008, shared the space with Scavenger Hunt retro clothes shop at 503 E. Grand River Ave. The Record Lounge sells new and used vinyl, shirts, collectibles, some CDs, headphones, turntables, patches, stickers, posters and more. The relocation was motivated by the need for more space and will bring an increase in foot traffic and visibility.
The DMB would like to congratulate Publicom Inc., a full-service marketing communications firm located in downtown East Lansing, for winning four awards in the 25th Annual PACE Awards competition. The PACE Awards are mid-Michigan’s highest honor for public relations activities.
Publicom developed the winning entries for three clients: Great Lakes Cancer Institute, Michigan Education Trust and Tomorrow’s Child/Michigan SIDS. Publicom’s awards included the Pinnacle Award, two Excellence Awards and the Achievement Award.
Founded in 1979, Publicom Inc. is an integrated marketing communications firm specializing in brand development and on-brand behavior for service companies throughout the nation. Publicom provides strategic planning, marketing research, advertising, creative services, media planning services and public relations counsel to clients in a variety of service industries including health care, finance, insurance and education. For more information about the Publicom team, visit www.publicom.com.
Call to Board Members: The East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) is searching for merchant representatives to serve on their all-volunteer Board of Directors. The ELAF Board, in cooperation with the East Lansing Arts Commission, work together with the festival director and community volunteers to implement the annual East Lansing Art Festival each May. Meetings are scheduled to take place once a month. Board members help to secure festival sponsorships, financial aid and community partnerships.
Call for Sponsors: In 2011, the ELAF will celebrate its 48th anniversary and once again welcome tens of thousands of art lovers to enjoy all that the City of East Lansing has to offer. This two-day arts and cultural celebration features as many as 220 fine art and fine craft exhibitors from across North America, two stages of live eclectic music, a hands-on children's art activities area - all free to the public!
Your business can help keep the ELAF tradition strong with a tax-deductible donation to this non-profit event and also gain valuable exposure for your business at this much loved community event.
Call to Volunteers: Would you like to help support the East Lansing Art Festival, but just aren’t quite sure how to contribute? What about volunteering your time? Every year, hundreds of community members help to make the ELAF a success by volunteering their services during the festival.
Please contact ELAF Coordinator Corinn VanWyck at info@elartfest.com or (517) 319-6804.
The Downtown Management Board (DMB) will be offering funds for co-op advertising with the media outlet of the participating downtown businesses' choice through June 30. The DMB has also expanded the program to include internet advertising. For web or email communications, the DMB logo must be placed in a conspicuous place with a link back to www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown. In the case of a banner ad, pay-per-click ad campaign or search engine optimization, the business must incorporate “Shop Downtown East Lansing” in the ad copy or include the linked DMB logo in the landing page a user is taken to upon clicking the ad.
Please note that $3,000 has been allocated to the DMB Co-Op program. Therefore, advertising funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The amount of co-op advertising available to each business is $300. However, those businesses that selected to take part in the Sidewalk Sales Co-Op, Back to School Co-Op and Holiday Co-Op advertising programs previously this year will only be permitted to use the remainder of their $300 total allocation. Businesses that took part in those co-op programs will be notified of their remaining balance. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6877.
The 2011 Sidewalk Sales will take place July 14-17. Please mark your calendars and keep an eye out for additional information in the following Talk of the Town newsletters as the event approaches. DMB will be offering Sidewalk Sales Co-op advertising money again this year. If you have any questions, please contact Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6877.
East Lansing Art Festival - May 21-22, www.elartfest.com
Summer Solstice Jazz Festival - June 17-18, www.eljazzfest.com
East Lansing Farmer's Market - Sundays, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., July 10-Oct. 30, www.cityofeastlansing.com/farmersmarket
Check out www.cityofeastlansig.com/communityevents for more information.
Douglas Jester, Chair Vivian Keeny, Vice Chairperson Siham Baladi, Treasurer Ener Almanza Nick Chilenko Kelli Flynn-Schut Michelle Gross Ray Walsh Mayor Victor Loomis
The Douglas J companies, 333 Albert St., recently completed the re-branding and renovation of the Douglas J eXchange in East Lansing. The salon is now called Douglas J Salon – East Lansing. They will have an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony tonight, March 24 from 6–8 p.m. Special guest Mayor Victor Loomis will cut the ribbon at 6 p.m.
The company will still maintain the quality of the Douglas J experience, including a highly trained professional staff and the same great products. The company is a part of the Aveda network of salons and institutes.
The first Douglas J salon was opened in 1967 by Douglas Weaver in East Lansing. The business has since expanded to eight different locations and is now operated by Weaver's sons, Scott and T.J. Weaver. This regional company runs spas, salons and cosmetology institutes in Ann Arbor, East Lansing, Grand Rapids, Lansing, Okemos, Royal Oak and Chicago, employing more than 450 technical staff, educators and support staff.
Members of the business community are welcome to attend tonight's open house at the new Douglas J - East Lansing. Guests will enjoy a tour, complimentary wine and desserts provided by Sandhill Crane Vineyards and Dove Chocolates and service discounts.
Kirabo, a downtown East Lansing fair trade retailer, recently moved to 225 E. Grand River Ave. While the relocation was motivated by the redevelopment of the building at their former location (Ann Street Plaza), the move brings an increase in foot traffic and visibility for the 3-year-old business. A grand re-opening event is planned in the next several weeks.
Call for Food Vendors: There are still a few spots open for food vendors in the food court.
On the First Friday of every month, participating Greater Lansing and East Lansing establishments will roll out the red carpet – big time. Restaurants, galleries, and other businesses are offering unique specials and extended hours. And it’s FREE to get involved! Visit www.LansingFirstFridays.com to register your business and special offer, and you’ll receive free promotion in First Fridays marketing, advertising, media coverage, website and social media.
There will be free rides on CATA’s Entertainment Express trolleys, running every 15 minutes from 5:30 p.m.-2:30 a.m. There will also be free CATA bus rides system-wide, underwritten by Team Lansing Foundation and Thomas M. Cooley Law School, running from 7 p.m. until the end of regular service. For additional information, visit the website or call (517) 377-1410.
The CATA Health Fair will take place on April 14, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., at the CATA Transportation Center, 420 S. Grand Ave., downtown Lansing. This is an event organized in partnership with the MSU College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Tri-County Office on Aging. All health screenings and services are provided at no charge.
More than 20 participating organizations/agencies will provide the following free screenings and services: cholesterol and glucose screenings, blood pressure check, oxygen saturation levels, vision screenings, stroke risk assessments, spinal screenings, chair massages, family/children/senior resource services, Ingham Health Plan/Medicaid/Medicare/MIChild/HealthyKids enrollments. Participants can also sign up for free sickle cell trait testing and free colorectal cancer screening. The Health Fair also provides organ donor registry, nutrition education and information on Alzheimer's, Do 1 Thing Program - Emergency Preparedness and Lansing Police Neighborhood & Business Watch programs.
For more information, call CATA at (517) 394-1100 or email info@cata.org.
The 2011 Sidewalk Sales will take place on July 14-17. Please mark your calendars and keep an eye out for additional information in the following Talk of the Town newsletters as the event draws closer.
Tech Wednesday is a tech meet-up and networking group. The group meets every Wednesday, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. at Beggar’s Banquet in downtown East Lansing.
The Downtown Management Board is in the process of publishing the 2011 Visitor’s Guides. Please email Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com if you would like the Visitor’s Guides dropped off at your store.
The Downtown Management Board (DMB) will be offering funds for co-op advertising with the media outlet of the businesses choice through June 30. The DMB has also expanded the program to include internet advertising. For web or e-mail communications, the DMB logo must be placed in a conspicuous place with a link back to www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown. In the case of a banner ad, pay-per-click ad campaign or search engine optimization the business must incorporate “Shop Downtown East Lansing” in the ad copy or include the linked DMB logo in the landing page a user is taken to upon clicking the ad.
Please note that $3,000 has been allocated to the DMB Co-Op program. Therefore, advertising funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The amount of co-op advertising available to each business is $300. However, those businesses that selected to take part in the Sidewalk Sales Co-Op, Back to School Co-Op and Holiday Co-Op advertising programs previously this year will only be permitted to use the remainder of their $300 total allocation. Businesses that took part in those co-op programs will be notified of their remaining balance.
If you have any questions, please call Heather Pope, City of East Lansing Department of Planning and Community Development, at (517) 319-6877.
In January 2011, the DMB welcomed three new board members. Michelle Gross (Jeanologie) and Ener Almanza (Greene Wealth Management) will serve a full term ending in 2014. Ray Walsh (Curious Book Shop) will serve for a partial term ending in 2013.
There are no DMB vacancies at this time, but interested downtown merchants can serve on one of three sub-committees, including marketing, business relations or maintenance. Interested merchants should contact Heather Pope for more information at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6877.
Call to Board Members: The East Lansing Art Festival (ELAF) is searching for merchant representatives to serve on their all-volunteer Board of Directors. The ELAF Board, in cooperation with the East Lansing Arts Commission, works together with the festival director and community volunteers to implement the annual Art Festival each May. Meetings are scheduled to take place once a month. Board members help to secure festival sponsorships, financial aid and community partnerships.
Please contact Festival Director Corinn VanWyck at info@elartfest.com or (517) 319-6804.
Property owners are reminded and encouraged to be a good neighbor this winter by removing snow from sidewalks adjacent to their properties within 24 hours of snowfall. Additionally, property owners must use salt or another abrasive on sidewalk ice adjacent to their property within 12 hours after ice has formed. Snow and ice removal is monitored throughout the winter by East Lansing’s Parking and Code Enforcement (PACE). The City clears sidewalks in the high volume pedestrian traffic areas including the downtown, but property owners and business owners in this area are ultimately responsible for maintaining sidewalks adjacent to their properties.
There are only a few weeks left until the deadline for submitting nominations for the 2011 Crystal Awards! Downtown merchants can nominate a great fellow business for the 2011 Crystal Award! Every year, the Crystal Awards honor individuals, groups, organizations, businesses and commercial enterprises that have gone above and beyond to enhance the quality of life in East Lansing.
East Lansing citizens and businesses can submit their nominations for the 2011 Crystal Awards by Friday, Feb. 18. Nominations can be submitted online or via mail using a paper form. Paper applications are available at East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbot Road; East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road; and East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. To submit your nomination online or review eligibility criteria, visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/crystalawards.
A free community reception honoring the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals, businesses and organizations that have impacted the East Lansing community in a positive way will take place on April 21, 2011 at 5 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road.
The DMB Business Relations Committee will host a Meet and Greet event in March 2011. Please look out for additional information in the following Talk of the Town newsletter as the event approaches.
Several businesses are opening or have opened up this month. They are as follows:
Don’t forget to complete the downtown business survey and send it back to us! For your convenience, the survey can also be accessed online. Thank you for your feedback!
The Entrepreneur Institute is organizing the following two classes for local entrepreneurs.
Thinking of getting more involved in your downtown? The Downtown Management Board (DMB) is actively seeking applications for a board member position.
The DMB promotes East Lansing's downtown through a variety of marketing efforts, including merchant co-op advertising and the "It's Your Downtown" marketing campaign. The marketing campaign is designed to attract shoppers and visitors to downtown East Lansing.
Board members are asked to serve on one of three sub-committees, including marketing, business relations or maintenance, with a total time commitment of no more than three hours a month.
Interested merchants should contact Heather Pope for more information at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6930.
At the December 2010 DMB Board meeting, the Board acknowledged both DMB Chair Mike Wylie and Boardmember Tom Leblanc, who have served on the board for over 9 years. Mr. Wylie also served as Chair from 2004 to 2010. Their vision, leadership and dedication helped DMB achieve numerous goals in the promotion and marketing campaign for the downtown.
DMB recognizes Mike’s and Tom’s dedication and leadership on the DMB with appreciation and great admiration. They will be greatly missed by this Board and the community. Best wishes Tom and Mike and the very best success in your future endeavors!
Call for Board Members: The East Lansing Art Festival is searching for a merchant representative to serve on its all-volunteer Board of Directors. The Art Festival Board works together with the festival director and community volunteers to implement the annual festival each May. Meetings take place once a month. Board members help secure festival sponsorships, financial aid and community partnerships. If interested in serving, please contact Corinn VanWyck at info@elartfest.com.
Call for Sponsors: In 2011, the East Lansing Art Festival will celebrate its 48th anniversary by welcoming thousands of art lovers and more than 200 artists to downtown East Lansing. Your business can gain exposure and help keep the festival alive with a tax-deductible donation to this non-profit event. Please contact Corinn VanWyck for more info at info@elartfest.com or (517) 319-6804.
More than 2,000 community members enjoyed the cook-off with East Lansing restaurants; pictures with Santa; a reindeer petting zoo; ice carving; horse-and-carriage rides; a marshmallow roast; roaming carolers; live music; roasted chestnuts; and hot chocolate.
Several downtown East Lansing restaurants participated in the Soup & Chili Cook-off: Mumbai, Buffalo Wild Wings, El Azteco, Cosi, and Beggar’s Banquet. A panel of judges made up of community members selected their favorite recipes. Congratulations to all the winners!
It is time to begin thinking about nominating your great fellow businesses for the 2011 Crystal Award! Every year, the Crystal Awards honor individuals, groups, organizations, businesses and commercial enterprises that have gone above and beyond to enhance the quality of life in East Lansing.
East Lansing citizens and businesses can submit their nominations for the 2011 Crystal Awards by Friday, Feb. 18, 2011. Nominations can be submitted online or via mail using a paper form. Paper applications are available at East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbot Road; East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road; and East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. To submit your nomination online or review eligibility criteria, visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/crystalawards.
A free community reception honoring the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals, businesses and organizations that have impacted the East Lansing community in a positive way will take place on April 21 at 5 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road.
The banner danglers have been installed throughout the downtown. The DMB would like to thank all of the businesses who participated in this program.
The DMB Business Relations Committee will host a Meet and Greet event in March. Stay tuned for additional information in the following Talk of the Town newsletters as the event approaches.
The DMB is providing $25 in co-op assistance to businesses that select to become first-time members of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. Through this membership, businesses receive services including ad placement in the Greater Lansing Visitor Guide, invitations to quarterly social meet & greets, a listing on www.lansing.org and information listed on kiosks throughout greater Lansing. The co-op funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to 10 participants.
Don’t forget to complete the downtown business survey and send it back to us! At the moment, the overall response rate for downtown businesses is around 10 percent of the total business population. For their convenience, merchants can also access the survey online at www.cityofeastlansing.com and click on the Downtown Merchant Survey. Thank you for your feedback!
The Entrepreneur Institute is organizing two classes for local entrepreneurs. Credit Before Capital will take place on Tuesday and Thursday nights (Feb. 1/3, Feb. 8/10 and Feb. 15/17) from 6-8:30 p.m. The Foundations of Business Planning will take place Tuesday nights, March 8-June 14 from 6-9 p.m. The course fees are $50 per person or $75 for two people. There are course scholarships available for eligible East Lansing residents. For more information, contact Denise Peak at (517) 853-5890 or denise@yourfoundationforbusiness.com. For more information about the Entrepreneur Institute, visit www.yourfoundationforbusiness.com.
Mike Wylie, Chairperson Vivian Milligan, Vice Chairperson Siham Baladi, Treasurer Nick Chilenko Kelli Flynn-Schut Douglas Jester Tom LeBlanc Mayor Victor Loomis
Copyright 2010, City of East Lansing
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The DMB promotes East Lansing's downtown through a variety of marketing efforts, including merchant co-op advertising and the "It's Your Downtown" marketing campaign.
The marketing campaign is designed to attract shoppers and visitors to downtown East Lansing. Board members are asked to serve on one of three sub-committees, including marketing, business relations or maintenance, with a total time commitment of no more than three hours a month. Interested merchants should contact Heather Pope for more information at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6930.
The Winter Bowl is packed full of holiday activities, musical entertainment and a good old fashioned soup and chili cook-off. The hub of the activity will take place at Ann Street Plaza, Parking Lot 1 and the East Lansing Marriott.
Downtown merchants are encouraged to participate in the Winter Bowl by hosting holiday activities inside their businesses during the event. This can be anything from holiday crafts to holiday music and more. Submit what you have planned to Michelle Carlson at mcarlson@cityofeastlansing.com by no later than Friday, Nov. 19 to be included in the Winter Bowl program guide. Businesses are also reminded that Ann Street Plaza and Parking Lot 1 will be closed for the event.
The DMB is once again offering co-op advertising funding to downtown East Lansing businesses for holiday advertising. Advertising can be purchased with any media outlet the business selects. Each business is eligible for up to $300 in co-op advertising funding.
The DMB is providing the co-op funding through matching funds. For example, if a business decides to spend a total of $800 on advertising, the DMB will co-op $300. The business will cover the remaining $500. For television and radio, businesses can have their own 15-second commercial placed in the middle of the DMB’s 30-second "donut" commercial. The commercial must state “Downtown East Lansing Holiday Shopping, Nov. 26-Dec. 24." If a business decides to go with a print advertisement, the DMB’s logo must be placed in the advertisement and the ad must state “Downtown East Lansing Holiday Shopping, Nov. 26-Dec. 24." If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Heather Pope at (517) 319-6930 or through email at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
The DMB is pleased to announce the 2010 Holiday Parking program. This year, downtown East Lansing shoppers will receive one day of free parking when they provide the parking coupon that appeared in the fall print version of the Dialog newsletter. The Dialog newsletter is mailed to every East Lansing household.
The coupon must be presented to a parking attendant upon exiting the parking ramp or surface lot in order to receive free parking. The coupon will be valid Dec. 1-24.
The DMB is excited to announce that the East Lansing Department of Public Works will install holiday garlands and wreaths beginning the week of Nov. 22.
For businesses participating in the Banner Dangler Program, these will be displayed within the next week.
The DMB is providing $25 in co-op assistance to businesses that select to become first-time members of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. Through this membership, businesses receive services such as ad placement in the Greater Lansing Visitor Guide, invitations to quarterly social meet-and-greets, a listing on www.lansing.org and information listed on kiosks throughout Greater Lansing. The co-op funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to 10 participants.
Don’t forget to complete the downtown business survey and send it back to us! At the moment, the overall response rate for downtown businesses is around 10 percent of the total business population.
The DMB and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) are seeking merchant feedback through the completion of a downtown business survey. The survey will provide the DMB and DDA with valuable information that will help guide planning for future projects. The City mailed a paper copy of the survey to all the DMB merchants.
The survey is also available online. Click here to complete the survey in less than 15 minutes. Thank you for your feedback!
This month the Michigan/Grand River Avenue Corridor Transportation Study committees revealed the results of their recent research, which looked at three new potential transit modes for the corridor: bus rapid transit, modern streetcars and light rail transit. The research included analyzing the costs, ridership, concept design, environmental impacts and economic impacts of each transit mode. The study Steering and Technical Committees will likely make a decision on a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA) by the end of the year. The LPA is an alternative that a local jurisdiction has concluded best meets a corridor's long-term transportation needs.
Please visit www.migrtrans.org or call CATA at (517) 394-1100 for more information. You are also encouraged to contact Lori Mullins, East Lansing Community and Economic Development Administrator, at lmullin@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6887.
Plans are well underway for the 2010 Great Pumpkin Walk. Each year, thousands of children and their parents walk through the streets of downtown East Lansing, trick-or-treating at local businesses.
More than 800 children annually take part in the event! The 2010 Pumpkin Walk is scheduled to take place on Thursday, October 28 from 5-7 p.m.
The only cost for merchants to participate includes whatever items business owners choose to pass out (ex. candy, pens, stickers, erasers, etc.) Additional information regarding the event will be sent in a separate mailing. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Heather Pope at (517) 319-6930 or through email at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
Downtown East Lansing business owners are encouraged to walk-through the newly redesigned and reconstructed University Place Plaza.
On Wednesday, Aug. 25, the City of East Lansing hosted a special dedication for the reconstructed plaza. At that time, the City and Project Pride Team unveiled a new sculpture located in the plaza entitled “Recycling for a Sustainable World.” The sculptor, Jim Cunningham, created a piece of public art that symbolizes the City’s commitment to green initiatives. The sculpture's stainless steel was produced from at least 80 percent recycled metal!
The dedication ceremony marked the end of the reconstruction of the east plaza at University Place, which took place April-July 2010. The project consisted of removing and replacing the deteriorated deck, planters and stairs along Albert Avenue.
The DMB is providing the co-op funding through matching funds. For example, if a business decides to spend a total of $800 on advertising, the DMB will co-op $300. The business will cover the remaining $500. For television and radio, businesses can have their own 15-second commercial placed in the middle of the DMB’s 30-second "donut" commercial. The commercial must state “Downtown East Lansing Holiday Shopping, Nov. 22-Dec. 24." If a business decides to go with a print advertisement, the DMB’s logo must be placed in the advertisement and the ad must state “Downtown East Lansing Holiday Shopping, Nov. 22-Dec. 24."
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Heather Pope at (517) 319-6930 or through email at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
The Downtown Management Board is pleased to announce the 2010 Holiday Parking program. This year, downtown East Lansing shoppers will receive one day of free parking when they provide the parking coupon that appeared in the fall print version of the Dialog newsletter. The Dialog newsletter is mailed to every East Lansing household.
The Downtown Management Board and the City of East Lansing wish to extend a warm welcome to four new businesses that have opened in the downtown. Best wishes in your new business ventures!
Pizza Pi, 551½ E. Grand River Ave., offers traditional brick-oven pizza with fresh organic/local ingredients. State Side Deli, 313 E. Grand River Ave., offers a full deli experience with fresh sandwiches, salads and desserts. Wanderer’s Teahouse and Coffee, 547 E. Grand River Ave., offers organic beverages and meals. It's owned and operated by an MSU grad. Go Green! Spartan Dance Center, 217 Ann St., is a new dance studio that provides a variety of dance instruction, including Zumba and break-dancing. A special drop-in schedule is also available! Five Guys Burgers & Fries, 623 E. Grand River Ave., offers burgers, fries, hot dogs and sandwiches.
The DMB is participating in a number of current marketing activities to further promote the downtown:
Travelhost Magazine
During the month of September, the fall edition of the Travelhost magazine will be placed in regional hotels. The DMB has purchased a two-page advertisement in the magazine, highlighting each DMB business by including contact information. A large map of the downtown is also included. The fall edition of Travelhost is placed in more than 3,000 hotel rooms throughout greater Lansing during the months of September, October and November. To view a copy of Travelhost, visit www.travelhost.com.
GLCVB Co-Op
The Downtown Management Board is providing $25 in co-op assistance to businesses that select to become first-time members of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. Through this membership, businesses receive services including ad placement in the Greater Lansing Visitor Guide, invitations to quarterly social meet & greets, a listing on www.lansing.org and information listed on kiosks throughout greater Lansing. The co-op funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to 10 participants.
The DMB and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) are seeking merchant feedback through the completion of a downtown business survey. The survey will provide the DMB and DDA with valuable information that will assist them in planning for future projects. The City mailed out a paper copy of the survey to all the DMB merchants and posted a copy of the survey on the City of East Lansing's Downtown web page.
For their convenience, merchants can also access the survey online. Click here to complete the survey in less than 15 minutes. Thank you for your feedback!
The Downtown Management Board (DMB) is once again offering co-op advertising funding to downtown East Lansing businesses for Back-2-School. Advertising can be purchased with any media outlet the business selects. The amount of co-op advertising funding available to each business is
$300. However, businesses are being provided the opportunity to split the co-op funding between Back-2-School and upcoming holiday advertising.
Businesses that select to split their funding will be notified of their remaining balance when holiday co-op advertising opportunities begin. The DMB is providing the co-op funding through matching funds. For example, if a business decides to spend a total of $800 on advertising, the DMB will co-op $300, while the business covers the remaining $500. For television and radio, businesses can have their own 15-second commercial placed in the middle of the DMB’s 30-second donut commercial. The commercial must state "Downtown East Lansing Back-2-School Shopping, Aug. 30-Sept. 12." If a business decides to go with a print advertisement, the DMB’s logo must be placed in the advertisement and the ad must state "Downtown East Lansing Back-2-School Shopping, Aug. 30- Sept. 12." All interested businesses should contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope at (517)319-6930 or through email at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com with questions. The DMB also wants to remind businesses that the first day of classes for MSU students is Wednesday, Sept. 1. Go Spartans!
The City of East Lansing is looking for volunteers! The City, in partnership with the Office for International Students and Scholars and the Community Relations Coalitions (CRC), is excited to present the first annual "East Lansing Welcomes the World" event. As East Lansing becomes more of a global community, the event will welcome more than 300 international students to the community and create a fun opportunity for engagement with local community members. The event, scheduled to take place on Sunday, Sept. 12 from 4-6 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center (819 Abbot Road), will feature a special welcome by East Lansing Mayor Victor Loomis, an "international café" with food provided by local vendors and live music.
Business owners and community members alike are encouraged to participate. This goal of the event is to showcase the East Lansing community as well as local businesses
located throughout the City to international students. Businesses interested in donating a sampling of their food should contact Marie McKenna at (517) 319-6881 or mmckenn@cityofeastlansing.com by Sept. 3, 2010 (please indicate the amount of food you are available to contribute). Participating restaurants will be listed in the event program and a placard will be placed by food samples. In addition, a map including the names and locations of restaurants that contribute will be distributed widely to international students.
The DMB is participating in a number of current marketing activities to further promote the downtown: Travelhost Magazine The DMB is pleased to announce the purchase of a two-page advertisement in Travelhost magazine. Travelhost, which is placed in more than 3,000 hotel rooms throughout the Greater Lansing region, will feature a two-page advertisement highlighting DMB businesses, including address and telephone numbers, and a map of the downtown. The advertisement will be in the fall edition of the magazine, which is placed in hotel rooms during the months of September, October and November. To view a copy of Travelhost magazine, please visit www.travelhost.com. Greater Lansing Visitor's Guide The Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau (GLCVB) is currently gearing up to publish its annual Greater Lansing Visitor's Guide. In 2011, the GLCVB will distribute approximately 130,000 copies of the magazine in hundreds of regional locations, including hotels, motels, apartment complexes, airports, shopping complexes, information booths and college campuses. This year, the DMB plans to purchase a one-page advertisement within the magazine, highlighting 10 to 12 businesses located within the DMB district. Businesses are being asked to contribute $250 towards their portion of the ad (highlighting their individual business), while the DMB will provide more than $500 in total advertising funding. All interested businesses need to contact the DMB by Friday, Aug. 27. For more information regarding advertising opportunities, please contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope at (517) 319-6930 or dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
Don’t forget to complete the Downtown Business Survey! The DMB and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) are seeking merchant feedback, through the completion of a Downtown Business Survey. The survey will provide the DMB and DDA with valuable information that will assist them in planning for future projects.
The City mailed out a paper copy of the survey to all DMB merchants as well as posting the survey online. Merchants are encouraged to complete the survey at www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown. The survey should take less than 15 minutes to complete.
Construction continues in the stairwells of the Division Street Parking Ramp. This construction improvement project includes the replacement of steel stairwells, re-pouring of concrete and improvements to sealants for windows. Construction improvements will be applied to two of the three total stairwells in the ramp. These stairwells face northeast and northwest. During construction, all downtown patrons will still be able to access the south stairwell, located directly behind the Student Book Store. The elevator will also remain operational during the construction project. Project construction will continue through the end of August. For additional questions, please contact the East Lansing Parking Department at (517) 337-1277.
Before you decide to go down the path of entrepreneurship, ask yourself, "Do I have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?" Below please find a few traits that successful entrepreneurs share. 1. Vision – Having a clear vision that you can communicate to employees, customers and your community. 2. Passion - Passion is such a key part of being a great leader that if you don't have it, you simply can't be a great leader. Passion is infectious: when you talk about your vision for the company, let your passion for your vision shine through. Others will feel it and want to get on board with you. 3. Planning – Successful entrepreneurs enjoy the planning process. Success is not an overnight event. 4. Intuition – Einstein states that, "The only real valuable thing is intuition." He had to trust his intuition and entrepreneurs do the same thing every day. 5. Character – Without character, all of the other traits are for naught. Your innate character, strengths and limitations play a critical role in your leadership style. Entrepreneurs have to be leaders and need to learn about their individual personalities and the part it plays in their leadership style. If you would like to find out more about your personality and other traits, consider taking the Myers-Briggs online test today! Visit http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp for more information. Small Business Tips are provided by Denise Peek, director of the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan. The Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan is committed to providing business counseling and resources to entrepreneurs throughout the Greater Lansing area.
Mike Wylie, Chairperson Vivian Milligan, Vice Chairperson Siham Baladi Nick Chilenko Kelli Flynn-Schut Douglas Jester Tom LeBlanc Victor Loomis
Heather Pope, (517) 319-6877 Amy Schlusler, (517) 319-6931
Volunteers and employees alike are preparing for the 2010 Great Lakes Folk Festival, scheduled to take place August 13-15 in downtown East Lansing. The Folk Festival encompasses a unique fusion of art, music, food and hands-on activities. The festival highlights cultural heritage and features close to 100 musicians, dancers, food vendors, crafts and demonstrators from across the globe.
This year the festival will feature a variety of activities and performances, including four performance stages, a children's hands-on activity area, craft demonstrations and a craft marketplace. Under the direction of the MSU Museum's Michigan Traditional Arts Program and the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Folk Festival represents partnerships of civic, business, education and arts agencies.
Festival hours are: Friday, Aug. 13, 6 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 14, noon - 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 15, noon – 6 p.m. Please visit www.greatlakesfolkfest.net for more information on performance schedules, volunteer information and sponsorship opportunities.
The Downtown Management Board (DMB) is pleased to announce the recent opening of a retail store in the downtown. Jeanologie XX/XY Boutique, located at 303 M.A.C. Ave., opened its doors in early July, bringing the latest trends in men’s and women's fashion to shoppers throughout the region. The boutique has a big city feel inspired by the streets of New York City, featuring clothing such as premium denim jeans, cocktail dresses, organic tees, handbags, special occasion tops, jewelry and gifts.
Jeanologie is owned by Michelle Rose Gross, a graduate of Michigan State University. Gross is currently partnering with Jenny Schu, an artist from the Grove Gallery Co-op, who will create hand-crafted, unique jewelry for the cocktail dresses in the store. In addition, Jeanologie will serve as a fashion incubator, providing students in Michigan State University’s Apparel and Textile Design program with display space to feature their work.
Business hours are Monday through Saturday,
11 a.m.-8 p.m.; and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Visit www.jeanologie.com for more information.
The DMB is once again offering co-op advertising funding to downtown East Lansing businesses for Back-2-School. Advertising can be done with any media outlet the business selects. The amount of co-op advertising funding available to each business is $300, however; businesses are being provided the opportunity to split the co-op funding between Back-2-School and upcoming holiday advertising. Businesses that select to split their funding will be notified of their remaining balance when holiday co-op advertising opportunities begin.
The DMB is providing the co-op funding through matching funds. For example, if a business decides to spend a total of $800 on advertising, the DMB will co-op $300, while the business covers the remaining $500. For television and radio, businesses can have their own 15-second commercial placed in the middle of the DMB’s 30-second donut commercial. The commercial must state “Downtown East Lansing Back-2-School Shopping, August 30-Sept. 12.” If a business decides to go with a print advertisement, the DMB’s logo must be placed somewhere in the advertisement and the ad must state, “Downtown East Lansing Back-2-School Shopping, Aug. 30-Sept. 12.”
Additional information regarding the Back-2-School Co-Op Program will be mailed to each business. Please contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope at (517)319-6930 or dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com with questions.
The Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau (GLCVB) is currently gearing up to publish its annual Greater Lansing magazine. In 2011, the GLCVB will distribute approximately 130,000 copies of the magazine in hundreds of regional locations, including hotels, motels, apartment complexes, airports, shopping complexes, information booths and throughout college campuses.
This year, the DMB plans to purchase a one-page advertisement within the magazine, highlighting 10 to 12 businesses located within the DMB district. Businesses are being asked to contribute $250 towards their portion of the ad (highlighting their individual business), while the DMB will provide more than $500 in total advertising funding.
All interested businesses need to contact the DMB by Friday, Aug. 6. A copy of the contract can be found at www.cityofeastlansing.com/dmb. For more information on advertising within the Greater Lansing magazine, please contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope at (517) 319-6930 or dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or Jan Pfeiffer, with the GLCVB, at (517) 377-1410.
Don’t forget to complete the downtown business survey and send it back to us! The DMB and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) are seeking merchant feedback with a Downtown Business Survey. The survey will provide the DMB and DDA with valuable information that will assist them in planning for future projects. During the month of June a copy of the survey was mailed to each business in the downtown region. In addition, a pdf version and an online version of the survey can be found at www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown. The survey takes a quick 15 minutes to complete. Thank you for your feedback!
Downtown merchants are encouraged to attend a free seminar hosted by the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau (GLCVB) on Tuesday, July 20 from 8 a.m.-9:30 a.m. This interactive session will focus on current social media opportunities and educate downtown business owners on how to best partner with the GLCVB to promote their business. Separate workshops will be held on social media and marketing strategies.
The free seminar is being offered to all merchants in the downtown and will take place at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. Grand Traverse Pie Co. will graciously provide a free breakfast to all attendees. To RSVP, please email rsvp@lansing.org or call (517) 377-1416.
They’re going fast! The DMB would like to remind all DMB district merchants of the current Banner Dangler Program. The deadline for participating in the banner dangler program is Aug. 1. The banner danglers will be displayed June through mid-August in 2011, beneath the City of the Arts banners and mid-November through January, beneath the City’s holiday banners.
The danglers will be 30” wide and 12” tall and will display individual business names. The danglers will be white, with business information printed in black. Danglers will be sold for $75 each and will be hung for a consecutive three-year period. Businesses can purchase up to three danglers. If interested in participating, e-mail tsolida@cityofeastlansing.com.
Division Street Parking Ramp (Colorful Parking Ramp)- Recently, construction began on the stairwells of the Division Street Parking Ramp. This construction improvement project includes the replacement of steel stairwells, re-pouring of concrete and window improvements. Construction will take place in two of the three stairwells in the ramp. These stairwells face northeast and northwest. During construction, all downtown patrons will still be able to access the south stairwell, located directly behind the Student Book Store. The elevator will also remain operational during the construction project. Project construction will continue through the beginning of August. Please contact the East Lansing Parking Department at (517) 337-1277 with additional questions.
University Place Construction- During the week of July 19, the final landscaping and brick work will be completed on the plaza. The sidewalks will also be re-opened along Albert Avenue. Please contact the East Lansing Department of Planning and Community Development at (517) 319-6930 with additional questions.
Like so many others before us, entrepreneurs draw upon “words of wisdom” provided by individuals that have been successful in their business ventures. Below please find some food for thought from some recognizable entrepreneurs:
"The critical ingredient is getting off your butt and doing something. It's as simple as that. A lot of people have ideas, but there are few who decide to do something about them now. Not tomorrow. Not next week. But today. The true entrepreneur is a doer, not a dreamer." - Nolan Bushnell, founder of Atari and Chuck E. Cheese's
"The important thing is not being afraid to take a chance. Remember, the greatest failure is to not try. Once you find something you love to do, be the best at doing it." - Debbi Fields, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies
"Entrepreneurs are risk takers, willing to roll the dice with their money or reputation on the line in support of an idea or enterprise. They willingly assume responsibility for the success or failure of a venture and are answerable for all its facets." - Victor Kiam, best known for his "I liked it so much, I bought the company" ads for Remington electric shavers
Small Business Tips are provided by Denise Peek, director of the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan. The Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan is committed to providing business counseling and resources to entrepreneurs throughout the Greater Lansing area. The Entrepreneur Institute's next 90-day training program, “Foundations of Business Planning Training,” will begin Wednesday, Aug. 11. The course will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. at 200 Museum Drive, Ste. E in Lansing. Visit www.yourfoundationforbusiness.com for more information about the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan. Scholarships for the class are available to eligible downtown East Lansing business owners.
Mike Wylie Chairperson Vivian Milligan, Vice Chairperson vacancy Siham Baladi Tom LeBlanc Kelli Flynn-Schut Victor Loomis, Council Liaison.
Heather Pope Amy Schlusler
Preparations are in full-swing for the upcoming 2010 Sidewalk Sales, scheduled to be held July 15-18 in downtown East Lansing.
The City of East Lansing and Downtown Management Board are encouraging all merchants and restaurant owners to actively take part, by selling their merchandise and pre-packaged food items in front of their business locations.
As noted last year, restaurant owners that wish to sell food out on the sidewalk will NOT be required to obtain a temporary food license. However, all food must be prepared within the restaurant facility and wrapped before being sold on the sidewalks. In addition, restaurants must complete the Ingham County Health Department food extension form in order to become eligible to sell food. A copy of the extension form, as well as all food preparation requirements, can be found on the City’s web page at: www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown.
Currently, the DMB is offering Co-Op funding of $75 to businesses located within the DMB region that wish to advertise for the upcoming Sidewalk Sales event. Businesses are required to match the funding. For example, if a business chooses to spend $150 total on an advertisement, the DMB will spend $75 to match the business' $75. The maximum amount the DMB will match with your business for Co-Op advertising for Sidewalk Sales is $75, but businesses can spend more themselves if they so choose.
For television and radio, businesses will have their own 15-second commercial placed in the middle of the DMB's 30-second donut commercial and the commercial must state "Downtown East Lansing Sidewalk Sales, July 15-18." If a business decides to go with print advertisement, the DMB’s logo must be placed somewhere in the businesses advertisement and the ad must state, "Downtown East Lansing Sidewalk Sales, July 15-18."
A signed copy of the DMB contract is due by Friday, June 25. The DMB currently has a budget that will allow a total of 20 businesses to take part in the Co-Op advertising assistance program. For additional information regarding Sidewalk Sales, contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope at (517) 319-6931 or at: dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com
They’re going fast! The Downtown Management Board would like to remind all DMB district merchants of the current Banner Dangler program.
The program, which began on May 15, permits any downtown business, located within the DMB district, to purchase danglers. The banner danglers will be displayed June through mid-August with the City of the Arts banners and mid-November through January with the City’s holiday banners.
The danglers will be 30” wide and 12” tall and will display individual business names. The danglers will be white, with business information printed in black.
Danglers will be sold for $75 each and will be hung for a consecutive three-year period. Businesses can purchase up to three banners.
The DMB will require commitments for 25 banners before moving forward with manufacturing. To date, 21 banners have been reserved by downtown businesses.
If interested, e-mail tsolida@cityofeastlansing.com. Contract agreements will be mailed once 25 danglers have been sold. Questions? E-mail dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
The Downtown Management Board (DMB) and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) are seeking merchant feedback, through the completion of a Downtown Business Survey. The survey will provide the DMB and DDA with valuable information that will assist them in planning for future projects. The City has mailed out a paper copy of the survey to all the DMB merchants. However, you can also access the survey online. Simply click onto the following web site and complete the survey in less than 15 minutes. http://www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown.
Thank you for your feedback! It’s your Downtown!
It’s that time of year again! A series of fun, action-packed community events are taking place in downtown East Lansing this summer, featuring live musical performances, movies and food! Please join us for one of the upcoming community events.
Summer Concert Series - The seven-week concert series, which began on June 11, features a variety of live musical performances, taking place in the heart of downtown East Lansing on Friday and Saturday evenings between 7-9 p.m. Friday performances are being held at Fountain Square and Saturday concerts are taking place on Ann Street Plaza. Go to www.cityofeastlansing.com/communityevents for a complete listing of upcoming performances.
Summer Solstice Jazz Festival - The 14 annual Summer Solstice Jazz Festival will hit East Lansing, June 18-20, with a three-day, multi-venue, jazz-packed weekend. This year’s event will begin Friday, June 18 and continue through Saturday, June 19 in downtown East Lansing. A special encore performance featuring Joe Lovano will take place on Sunday, June 20 at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts. Visit www.eljazzfest.com for a complete line-up!
Moonlight Film Festival - Grab your popcorn and a blanket, and join community members for the 2010 Moonlight Film Festival, beginning Thursday, July 15. Community members can watch movies outdoors on the “big screen” for free, every Thursday evening during the months of July and August. Come early and also enjoy live music, beginning one hour prior to the film. Films begin at 9:30 p.m. in July and 9 p.m. in August.
Play in the Park - Looking for something fun to do with your kids? Why not make a picnic and head to Valley Court Park for a four-week series of family friendly activities. Play in the Park will be held on Tuesday evenings in July at 7 p.m. Play in the Park features live entertainment acts including magic, music and more. Visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/communityevents for more information.
Farmer’s Market - The second annual East Lansing Farmer’s Market will begin Sunday, July 11 in Valley Court Park and features more than 20 food and craft vendors. The Market will be open each Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and operate through October 31.
Division Street Parking Ramp (Colorful Parking Ramp) Construction will begin on the stairwells of the Division Street Parking Ramp, beginning the week of Monday, June 21. This construction improvement project will include the replacement of steel stairwells, re-pouring of concrete and improvements to sealants for windows. Construction improvements will be applied to two of the three total stairwells in the ramp. These stairwells face northeast and northwest.
During construction, all downtown patrons will still be able to access the south stairwell, located directly behind the Student Book Store. The elevator will also remain operational during the construction project. Project construction will continue through the beginning of August.
For additional questions, please contact the East Lansing Parking Department at (517) 337-1277.
University Place Construction Construction continues to take place outside of the East Lansing Marriott at University Place east plaza. Portions of the sidewalk along Albert Avenue and Charles Street will continue to be closed due to the removal and replacement of the sidewalk in those areas. The waterproof membrane work on the deck is near completion. Concrete work will continue on the plaza deck during the week of June 21. The contractor will also begin the construction of the new stairs along Charles the week of June 21.
The entire project consists of removing and replacing the deteriorated deck, planters and stairs on Albert Avenue (east of the Fountain Square area) and on Charles Street. The planters will be redesigned and lowered to open up and provide better pedestrian views of the deck. The construction will continue through the end of June.
As you start to grow your business, there will be three essential people that will assist you in the success of your business. Please keep these people in mind, as they will be integral in your financial, business success!
The first key person will be an attorney. An attorney will assist you in the legal formation of your business, as well as review lease agreements, contracts and any other legal documents that should be reviewed before signing a lease.
The second person will be an insurance agent. The insurance agent will assist you in minimizing your risk of exposure if anything should happen in your place of business (ex: someone slipping and falling outside of your storefront ). Ensuring that you have the correct liability insurance will save you money in the future.
The third key person is a CPA. Having an accounting system in place is essential and will provide you with a snapshot of your current financial position. Evaluating your financial position can also help lead to sound management decisions related to future product purchases and personnel hiring practices. The CPA can provide you with important financial advice, especially during tax time!
The above three people are also related to three other business elements that are worth mentioning: owning, operating and managing your small business. An attorney is related to owning your business, an insurance agent is related to how you operate your business, while the CPA is related to managing your business, especially cash flow.
Small Business Tips are provided by Denise Peek, Director of the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan. The Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan is committed to providing business counseling and resources to entrepreneurs throughout the Greater Lansing area.
The next 90-day training program entitled "Foundations of Business Planning Training" will begin Wednesday, Aug. 11. The course will be held on Wednesday evenings from 6-9 p.m. at 200 Museum Drive, Ste. E in Lansing. Visit www.yourfoundationforbusiness.com for more information about the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan. Scholarships for the class are available to eligible downtown East Lansing business owners.
Mike Wylie Chairperson Vivian Milligan, Vice Chairperson William Mansfield, Treasurer vacancy Siham Baladi Tom LeBlanc Kelli Flynn-Schut Victor Loomis, Council Liaison.
Heather Pope and Amy Schlusler
The Downtown Management Board (DMB) is pleased to announce an exciting international event, bringing more than 16,000 people into the City of East Lansing.
The 2010 Odyssey of the Mind World Finals will take place May 26-29 on Michigan State University’s campus. Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational competition with a mission to provide creative problem-solving opportunities for students, kindergarten through college. Teams from throughout the U.S. and more than 20 other countries will participate in the program.
In order to further promote patronage of the downtown, the DMB will be managing a lapel pin exchange between Odyssey participants and downtown merchants. The program will be operated as follows:
1.) Merchants can purchase lapel pins in increments of 100 to distribute to students participating in the competition. The lapel pins cost 20 cents a piece, totaling $20 for 100 pins.
2.) Immediately following their arrival to MSU, student participants will receive a large, oversized coupon that will include a listing of all businesses that have agreed to take part in the pin exchange. Students will be instructed that they will receive the lapel pins for free from each of the listed businesses, but that they must present a copy of the coupon when requesting the pin.
It is important to note that this pin exchange program is extremely popular among competitors. More than 8,000 students will take part in the competition alone. The pin will be approximately 7/8’’ and will be printed in color, representing the City of East Lansing seal. Business owners will only be able to purchase the lapel pins through the payment of a check. All businesses interested in taking part in the program should contact Terri Soliday with the East Lansing Department of Planning & Community Development at (517) 319-6907. Purchased lapel pins will be delivered to all downtown business locations by May 21.
Aside from the lapel pin exchange program, Odyssey of the Mind will also have a spare table present at their facility with stacks of restaurant/business coupons available to all participants and their parents. If your business would like to have their coupons displayed on the table, you must drop off 1,000 copies of the coupon to the East Lansing Department of Planning & Community Development, 410 Abbot Road, by Wednesday, May 19 at 5 p.m.
The 47th Annual East Lansing Art Festival is coming up this weekend! The City will play host to 212 talented artists from throughout North America during the two-day event, taking place May 22-23 in downtown East Lansing. With the festival fast approaching, the City is offering a variety of opportunities for merchants to get involved.
Volunteers - Would you like to help support the festival, but just aren’t quite sure how to contribute? How about volunteering your time?
The East Lansing Art Festival is still taking volunteers for this weekend. Volunteer time slots are approximately 2-3 hours long and all willing individuals can sign up for the tasks of their choice! Positions in need of volunteers include: (1) Bike Attendant, for those who want to be help park and supervise attendees bicycle, (2) Traffic Control, for early risers, volunteers are positioned at the festival grounds entrances and help to direct artists to their booth location, and (3) Stage Assistant, help musicians with their equipment and help them to sell CD's and then enjoy the performance. Every volunteer will receive a free 2010 Art Festival T-shirt and have access to this year’s hospitality room at Harper's Restaurant for snacks and beverages. For more information, please contact Michelle Carlson (517) 319-6888 or through e-mail at mcarlson@cityofeastlansing.com.
Parking Lot/Street Closures - Downtown business owners, employees and customers may need to use alternate routes to and from their business due to parking lot and street closures during the festival weekend. Signs will be posted so that patrons know of all closing times.
Closures on Friday, May 21 - Lot 1 will close Friday morning at 2 a.m., remaining cars will be ticketed and towed at the owner’s expense. Lot 4 (next to Dublin Square) will be closed in the morning. Ann Street Plaza will be closed after lunch.
Closures on Saturday, May 22 (3 a.m.) through Sunday, May 23 (8 p.m.) - Albert Avenue will be closed between Evergreen and Charles Street. M.A.C. Avenue will be closed between Grand River Avenue and Linden Street. Abbot Road will be closed between Grand River Avenue and East Lansing City Hall.
All remaining parking garages and lots (except Lot 1 and Lot 4) will remain open for the duration of the festival. If you have any questions please contact Corinn Van Wyck at (517) 319-6804 or info@elartfest.com. Learn more at www.elartfest.com.
Due to great interest on the part of merchants, the Downtown Management Board is pleased announce a Banner Dangler purchase program.
The program, which begins on May 15, permits any downtown business to purchase danglers, which will hang underneath the “City of the Arts” and “Holiday” banners displayed during the winter and summer months.
The danglers will be 30” wide and 12” tall, and will display individual business names. The danglers will be white, with business information printed in Spartan green. Danglers will be sold for $75 each and will be hung for a consecutive three-year period. Businesses can purchase up to three. The DMB will require commitments for 25 banners before moving forward with manufacturing.
The Downtown Management Board is excited to present merchants with exciting advertising scheduled to take place throughout the summer months, which further promote the downtown. If you have any additional questions regarding the below programs, please contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope of the East Lansing Department of Planning & Community Development at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
East Lansing Jazz Festival - The Downtown Management Board has committed to purchasing underwriting credits on WKAR 90.5 radio, as further promotion of the upcoming 2010 Jazz Festival. This summer’s free-to-the community festival will shower downtown East Lansing with a higher caliber ensemble of local and national jazz performers on June 18-19.
Summer Concert Series - The Downtown Management Board has committed to purchasing television advertisements for the upcoming 2010 Summer Concert Series. The summer concerts, which are held throughout the months of June and July, feature local artists that perform on both Friday and Saturday nights.
East Lansing Community Guide - The Downtown Management Board continues to offer co-op funding in the amount of $67.50 for businesses that select to advertise within the East Lansing Community Guide. Harbor House Publishers, of Boyne City, Mich., will be producing 5,000 copies of the community guide, featuring City services, community events and retail/restaurant opportunities throughout the downtown. Co-op funding will be limited to the first 10 participants. For more information regarding advertisements, please contact Dave Yoder of Harbor House Publishers at dyoder@harborhouse.com.
GLCVB Co-Op - The Downtown Management Board is providing $25 in co-op assistance to businesses that select to become first-time members of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. Through this membership, businesses receive an array of services, including placement in a free publication within the Greater Lansing magazine, invitations to quarterly social meet and greet events, a listing on www.lansing.org and information listed on kiosks throughout the Greater Lansing region. The co-op funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be limited to 10 participants.
All moved in! The Downtown Management Board is pleased to highlight the recent move of Mackerel Sky Gallery of Contemporary Craft.
The businesses’ new location, 211 M.A.C. Avenue, provides the gallery with the opportunity for continued growth and development within the City. The gallery features individual artist work, along with offering an eclectic selection of paper products, blown glass, jewelry, fiber, ceramics, garden accessories, fine woodworking, furniture and lighting for sale. Mackerel Sky Gallery of Contemporary Craft has received several honorary awards, including being voted one of the Top 100 Craft Galleries in the country for the past 11 consecutive years. Please stop into their new store location.
Two New Businesses in the Downtown - The Downtown Management Board is happy to announce two new businesses in downtown East Lansing. One business, Be You, is located at 611 E. Grand River Ave. and the second business is Exclusive Accessories, located at 410 Albert St.
Join fellow downtown business owners for the upcoming DMB Spring Social Meet & Greet gathering on Monday, June 7 from 6-8 p.m. at Mumbai [Fine Indian Cuisine]. This tri-annual event provides merchants with a casual atmosphere to sit, talk and enjoy some light refreshments. Informational materials will also be available, which detail upcoming community events, co-op advertising opportunities, Sidewalk Sales, the U2 concert and more!
Special Incentive - All merchants that attend will be entered into a live drawing to receive two tickets to the U2 Concert on June 30 in East Lansing. The winner will be announced at the event. There’s no reason to R.S.V.P., just come on out to spend a few moments talking with friends and business neighbors!
The DMB is pleased to introduce an inaugural event, taking place throughout downtown East Lansing. Dirty Feat, an urban adventure race, is scheduled to take place on Saturday, June 12. The upcoming event will include teams of two, competing in challenges that incorporate running, biking and orienteering.
The race will begin in the City of East Lansing and extend outward along the Red Cedar River, the south side of the MSU Campus, downtown Lansing and throughout the City of Lansing. The competition is expected to bring several thousand people into the East Lansing region. As a result, the Dirty Feat Planning Committee is requesting promotional/shwag materials for the 200 listed participants. Participants will receive the “goodie” bags at the completion of the course. Swag materials can include items such as: t-shirts, chip clips, magnets (etc). Businesses that donate materials will be considered official sponsors and receive recognition on the Dirty Feat Web site. For more information regarding the Dirty Feat competition, please contact Tim Schmitt of the East Lansing Department of Planning & Community Development at tschmitt@cityofeastlansing.com.
You may have noticed that construction began in April on the East Lansing Marriott at University Place's east plaza. This project consists of removing and replacing the deteriorated deck, planters and stairs on Albert Avenue, east of the Fountain Square area, and along Charles Street. The planters will be re-designed and lowered to open up and provide better pedestrian views of the deck. The construction will continue through the end of June. There will be minimal sidewalk closures during the construction as every attempt will be made to keep intrusions and disruptions to a minimum. The construction is expected to be completed by June 30. Any questions about this project can be directed to Lori Mullins at 319-6887 or Heather Pope at 319-6877.
If you are an advocate for rapid transit as a way to attract more visitors and residents to the downtown or if you are just concerned about future congestion on Grand River Avenue, you will want to stay informed about the Michigan Avenue/Grand River Avenue Transportation Study.
As you may know, East Lansing is participating in a major multi-modal transportation study coordinated by CATA. The area being studied is the Michigan and Grand River Avenue corridor from the Capital in Lansing to Marsh Road in Meridian Township. This study focuses on transportation infrastructure improvements needed to support our region’s future. It will be looking at roadway, public transportation and non-motorized improvements. Consultants working on the study are currently evaluating the following transit alternatives, Bus, Bus Rapid Transit, Modern Streetcar and Light Rail. The latter three options would require dedicated lanes for the rapid transit, which would require changes in lane configuration and potential loss of some green space.
In downtown East Lansing we need to ensure that we understand and advocate for improvements that provide the greatest benefits to our community, including our customers and employees. Many downtown East Lansing employees, customers and residences already use the public transportation system which is at or above capacity. If transit improvements are made, safety, capacity and efficiency will be key benefits, as will the increased potential for economic development along the corridor. Cities across the country have used smart investments in transportation infrastructure to catalyze development and redevelopment. By improving the physical links between our region’s largest concentrations of employers and residents, we can modernize our transportation infrastructure, decrease congestion, decrease reliance on imported fuels and increase safety and reliability of the system. Please visit www.migrtrans.org or call CATA at (517) 394-1100 for more information. You are also encouraged to contact Lori Mullins, East Lansing community and economic development administrator, at lmullin@cityofeastlansing.com or (517) 319-6887.
Downtown Management Board Members: Mike Wylie, Chairperson; Vivian Milligan, Vice Chairperson; William Mansfield, Treasurer; Joyce Banish; Siham Baladi; Tom LeBlanc; Kelli Flynn-Schut; and Victor Loomis, Council Liaison.
Downtown Management Board Staff: Heather Pope and Amy Schlusler
Planning for the East Lansing Art Festival is well underway! The City will play host to more than 200 artists throughout North America during the 47th Annual East Lansing Art Festival, May 22 and 23. With the festival date quickly approaching, the City is offering a variety of opportunities for merchants to get involved.
Welcome Packets Tap into this unique group of shoppers by participating in the ELAF/DMB “Artist Welcome Pack.” The packets will be distributed to each artist as they arrive in town. Merchants are invited to help fill the packets by providing dinner and entertainment coupons or special offers. In order to participate, merchants are being asked to drop off at least 220 pieces of promotional materials to the East Lansing Art Festival Office, (410 Abbot Rd., Rm. 202, East Lansing) by May 7, 2010. As part of a new opportunity this year, businesses can also email their discount and/or logo to info@elartfest.com, and festival organizers will put together a group page of offers, provided by several merchants. For more information, please contact Corinn VanWyck through email at cvanwyck@cityofeastlansing.com. Sponsorship The East Lansing Art Festival is currently seeking sponsors for the festival. Art festival sponsorships not only support our community by allowing the City to present this beloved arts and cultural event every year, but also offer a valuable advertising program with a great return on your investment! Time is running out, but there is still time to become a festival sponsor! Please contact Corinn VanWyck at cvanwyck@cityofeastlansing.com. Volunteers Would you like to help support the East Lansing Art Festival, but just aren’t quite sure how to contribute? What about volunteering your time? Every year, hundreds of community members help to make the East Lansing Art Festival a success by volunteering their services during the festival. Volunteer time slots are approximately 2-3 hours long and all willing individuals can sign up for the tasks of their choice! Every volunteer will receive a free 2010 Art Festival T-shirt and have access to this year’s hospitality room. For more information, please contact Michelle Carlson 517-319-6804 or through email at mcarlson@cityofeastlansing.com. Learn more at www.elartfest.com.
The 2010 Odyssey of the Mind is coming to Michigan State University for its World Finals. The event will take place May 26-29 and is expected to bring nearly 16,000 visitors into East Lansing!
The Odyssey of the Mind is an international educational competition, whose mission is to provide creative problem-solving opportunities for students from kindergarten through college. Through solving open-ended problems, students develop creative-thinking skills that can be applied to real-life situations. Teams from throughout the U.S. and more than 20 other countries participate in the program.
The DMB is currently considering several special activities with the visitors. More details will be provided in the May 2010 newsletter. For more information about the event, please click onto the main webpage www.odysseyofthemind.com/wf2010/.
The streets of downtown East Lansing will be filled with many excited graduates and their families, who will be attending this year’s commencement activities, May 7-9.
The majority of the commencement ceremonies will take place at the Breslin Center and Wharton Center for Performing Arts, where MSU degree candidates will be recognized individually for their academic achievements.
We congratulate and applaud all MSU graduates on their academic accomplishments.
For more information regarding the MSU commencement ceremony schedule, please click onto the following link: http://commencement.msu.edu/ .
This year’s off-campus Pack Up, Pitch In student recycling event will take place Thursday, May 6 and Friday, May 7 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the north parking lot of the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road.
The event provides an excellent opportunity for students to help keep the community green, and lend a hand to those in need, by dropping off unwanted items for recycling or reuse by a local charity.
The off-campus event is an expansion of Michigan State University’s on-campus Pack Up, Pitch In recycling program. This is the third year the City has collaborated with MSU to expand the program to off-campus students living within the East Lansing community.
The East Lansing Downtown Management Board would like to remind merchants of the current advertising opportunities available to them. For further information on the below programs, please contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope of the East Lansing Planning & Community Development Office at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
GLCVB Co-Op - The Downtown Management Board is providing $25 in co-op assistance to businesses that select to become first-time members of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. Through this membership, businesses receive an array of services including placement in a free publication within the Greater Lansing magazine, invitations to quarterly social meet & greet events, a listing on www.lansing.org and information listed on kiosks throughout the Greater Lansing region. The co-op funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be limited to 10 participants.
Mark it on your calendar! The 2010 East Lansing Crystal Awards public reception is scheduled to take place on Thursday, April 22 at 5 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. The reception honors the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals and businesses that have impacted the East Lansing community in a positive way. Four recipients will be announced and honored at the April reception. Join fellow businesses at this lively event!
In the fall of 2007, Tamiko Rottham completed the Entrepeneur Institute’s Foundations of Business Planning course, and successfully wrote an in-depth business plan for her current organization “Moving Towards Being.”
Today, Tamiko works as a consultant and facilitator for non-profit organizations and community groups. She provides training at leadership retreats, and facilitates dialogues at visioning sessions. Please see the poem below, written by Tamiko after graduating from the Foundations of Business Planning Course.
Took this business class to write a business plan Was overwhelmed by the thought of it, But now I know I can I got by DBA And own my own business account Made business cards and met with friends And networked a fair amount I learned that planning is the key “a goal with no plan is a wish” And planning ahead is an ongoing task But pays off - just ask Bob Fish I also learned to mind my “P’s” Product, price, placement, promotion I’ve added persistence and persuasion All part of the business plan potion And keeping on top of your game and your goals Using those research tools Taking to time to think it through Makes winners, less likely to lose So thank you to Denise For helping show us what to do We’re navigating down the path Of making dreams come true Small Business Tips are provided by Denise Peek, Director of the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan. The Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan is committed to providing business counseling and resources to entrepreneurs throughout the Greater Lansing area. The next 90-day training program entitled "Credit Before Capital" begins May 1, 2010. Visit www.yourfoundationforbusiness.com for more information about the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan.
(SCENE) Metrospace - (SCENE) Metrospace will host the preliminary rounds of the Rust Belt Poetry Slam on Friday, April 16 and Saturday, April 17. The Rust Belt Poetry Slam has a strong 10-year history, traveling throughout nine cities across the U.S. Participants compete, by sharing original poetry selections written by themselves and performing in front of a live audience.
Commencement - The MSU Spring 2010 Commencement activities will take place May 7 - 9 on campus.
Pack Up, Pitch In – The Pack Up, Pitch In student recycling event will take place Thursday, May 6 and Friday, May 7 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the north parking lot of the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road.
Meet & Greet Event - Join fellow downtown business owners for a summer gathering on Monday, June 1 at 6 p.m. at Mumbai (Fine Indian Cuisine). The DMB will provide informational materials on upcoming events, advertising opportunities and more!
Be A Tourist In Your Own Town - The 16th Annual Be a Tourist In Your Own Town celebration, hosted by the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, will take place on June 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and will feature downtown East Lansing as one of the area attractions.
Summer Solstice Jazz Festival - This summer's free-to-the-community Summer Solstice Jazz Festival will hit downtown East Lansing with a high-caliber ensemble of local and national jazz performers on June 18-20, 2010.
Preparations are under way for the March Magic Hoopfest, scheduled to take place March 18-20 and March 25-27 at the Jennison Fieldhouse on Michigan State University's campus.
Hoopfest is a fun event for families visiting East Lansing for the Michigan High School Athletic Association Girls and Boys Basketball Semifinals and Finals. The event features several activities, including the JumpBall Jamboree, the Learning from the Legends Youth Basketball Clinic for 5th-8th graders and more. East Lansing's visitor's guides will be distributed at the event to draw people to the downtown. Merchants are advised that hundreds of visitors will be in the region during the event. Learn more at www.marchmagichoopfest.com
The Census Road Tour is coming to town! Community members and downtown merchants are invited to the Census Road Tour Celebration, taking place on Wednesday, March 24 from 8-10 p.m. in Ann Street Plaza.
In January 2010 the U.S. Census Bureau launched its nationwide Portrait of America Road Tour to educate communities about the 2010 Census. In celebration of the tour's visit to the region, the City will shut down Ann Street Plaza to make way for the interactive tour vehicle.
The vehicle will be parked from 8-10 p.m. to distribute Census-related educational materials and share information with MSU students and other community members. In addition the Census Road Tour Celebration will include free food, a live DJ, Census giveaways and more. All residents living within the City are encouraged to fill out their 2010 Census forms. Close to $1,500 per year, per resident will be allocated to the East Lansing community over the next 10 years for each head that is counted. The head count determines how much funding will be allocated to the community for things like road construction/rehabilitation, public transportation, energy efficiency grants and other community services and programs. Learn more at www.cityofeastlansing.com/2010Census.
The East Lansing Downtown Management Board is preparing to take part in the 16th Annual Be A Tourist In Your Own Town Celebration, hosted by the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau. This year's event, taking place on June 5 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., will feature more than 60 area attractions.
For only $1 participants can purchase a "Be a Tourist passport," which provides them with admission to shopping, dining, special activities and tourist attractions at participating local businesses in the Greater Lansing region.
With its eclectic mix of restaurants, retail, green-and-white shops, art galleries and beautiful public art, downtown East Lansing will serve as one of the main destinations of this exciting event.
Community members and merchants can learn more about Be A Tourist In Your Own Town at www.lansing.org/batyot.
The East Lansing-Michigan State University community will welcome U2 to Spartan Stadium on Wednesday, June 30 for one of the biggest outdoor concerts the region has hosted in years. Approximately 62,000 people are anticipated to attend the concert.
Merchants are being advised that traffic will be directed in the same manner as it is during Spartan football games and the noise level from the live concert is anticipated to be loud. Updates on the U2 Concert will be provided in future editions of "Talk of the Town."
The City of East Lansing is currently offering scholarships to low- to moderate-income residents interested in developing a business plan through the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan's upcoming Foundations of Business Planning program.
The Foundations of Business Planning program guides entrepreneurs through the process of developing a business plan. The program will be offered March 17-June 23 from 6-9 p.m. on Wednesdays at 200 Museum Drive, Ste. E, in Lansing. Interested entrepreneurs can register for the program and learn more at www.yourfoundationforbusiness.com or by calling (517) 853-5890.
The East Lansing Downtown Management Board would like to remind merchants of the current advertising opportunities available to them. For further information on the programs listed below, please contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope in the East Lansing Department of Planning & Community Development at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
GLCVB Co-Op - The Downtown Management Board is providing $25 in co-op assistance to businesses that select to become first-time members of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. Through this membership, businesses receive an array of services, including a free publication within the Greater Lansing magazine, invitations to quarterly social meet-and-greet events, a Web listing at www.lansing.org and information listed on kiosks throughout the Greater Lansing region. The co-op funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be limited to 10 participants.
The Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) is coordinating with local governments, community groups and businesses to conduct a study examining ways to improve the seven-mile transportation corridor that includes Michigan and Grand River Avenues (from the Capitol east to Meridian Mall). This densely populated corridor includes many major employers, regional attractions, businesses and neighborhoods, which are serviced by CATA Route #1. The average daily traffic on parts of Grand River Avenue is more than 27,000 vehicles per day. Plans for future development and employment along the Corridor, including City Center II and the proposed East Village, make it clear that now is the time to think about how all modes of transportation will contribute to a prosperous future. This study is extremely important for downtown East Lansing and for the region for several reasons. The study is a step toward enabling improved multi-modal transportation that supports, sustains and grows economic value along Michigan and Grand River avenues. Enhanced transportation choices and intermodal connectivity will help retain existing businesses, stimulate revitalization and attract new businesses along the corridor. Transit improvements would also enhance the vitality of existing neighborhoods by fostering attractive streetscape environments.
The study is currently in the Evaluating Alternatives phase, where the corridor alternatives are refined and put through a more detailed evaluation process. Preliminary service planning, station locations and concept designs are being developed. The Steering Committee will reach out to more local organizations, people and businesses for input. The refined transit alternatives will be evaluated against a set of criteria that include rider benefits, cost estimates and economic development potential. In the fourth and final phase of the study, which will be completed this fall, the Steering Committee will examine all of the data and public input. They will be asked to make a decision regarding the most desirable multi-modal transportation improvement plan, also known as the Locally Preferred Alternative. The Locally Preferred Alternative will then be submitted to the federal government for funding consideration. Your participation matters! For more information on the study and to make your voice heard, visit the project Web site at www.migrtrans.org or contact Lori Mullins at lmullin@cityofeastlansing.com or (517)319-6887.
(SCENE) Metrospace - (SCENE) will feature several art exhibits and concerts during the month of March. The art gallery has unveiled “The 3-in-1 Show," featuring three new exhibits, including Pocket-Sized: A Close Look at Small Art, For Cheap’s Sake: Photocopied and a special exhibition by featured artist Jennifer Ganzhorn. Ganzhorn is a bachelor’s of fine art student at Michigan State University. An all-ages concert featuring Chain of Lakes, Brian Westrin and Gifts or Creatures will also take place at (SCENE) on Saturday, March 27 at 8 p.m. Door cover is $5 per person. Doors will open at 7 p.m. and music will begin at 8 p.m. Visit www.scenemetrospace.com to learn more.
Mom/Son Super Hero Dance - This annual event will be held at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road, from 7-8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, March 16. Preschool and elementary-aged boys are invited to bring their mom, grandmother or other relative as their “date” for an evening of music, refreshments, games and more.
Submit the nomination of a fellow business by Friday, Feb. 19th!
The City of East Lansing is currently seeking nominations for the 2010 Crystal Awards.
The Crystal Awards, presented by the East Lansing City Council, honor individuals, groups, organizations and businesses that have gone above and beyond to enhance the quality of life in East Lansing.
Nominations can be submitted online www.cityofeastlansing.com/crystalawards or via mail using a paper form. Paper applications are available at the following locations: East Lansing City Hall, 410 Abbot Road; East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road; and East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road.
Nominations will be reviewed by a community selection committee comprised of East Lansing residents. Four recipients will be accepted.
A free community reception honoring the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals, businesses and organizations will take place on Thursday, April 22 at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center.
The City of East Lansing is gearing up for the 2010 Census – a federally mandated head count of every person who lives in the United States.
Residents of the City of East Lansing are urged to fill out the 2010 form, which will arrive in mailboxes in mid-March and must be postmarked by April 1, 2010. The 2010 Census form has been dubbed the “shortest Census form in history,” featuring 10 confidential questions that can be easily answered in 10 minutes.
All residents living within the City are encouraged to fill out their 2010 Census forms. Nearly $1,500 per year, per resident will be allocated for each head that is counted. Through information gathered by the Census Bureau, residents receive a variety of services which include road construction/rehabilitation, public transportation, energy efficiency grants and other community services and programs.
Residents that do not complete and mail the form will be visited by federal government enumerators beginning in April.
For more information, please visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/2010.
The Downtown Management Board (DMB) is pleased to unveil a new news section in the “Talk of the Town” e-newsletter. The section, entitled “Ongoing Marketing Efforts,” will share information regarding DMB marketing efforts. Please look for future editions of the section in upcoming e-newsletters!
Valentine’s Day Advertising - If you tune into WLNS (Ch. 6), you may catch a Valentine’s Day advertisement that highlights downtown East Lansing! The DMB has purchased 15 television advertisements that will be broadcast on WLNS from Thursday, Feb. 11 through Sunday, Feb. 14. These commercials will encourage residents living within the Greater Lansing region to celebrate Valentine’s Day in downtown East Lansing.
Travelhost Magazine - The DMB has agreed to place a two-page advertisement in the spring edition of Travelhost magazine. The magazine, placed in more than 10,000 hotel rooms throughout the region, will highlight shopping, food & spirit, art and entertainment venues available to visitors. Be on the look out for the new magazine delivered in March!
East Lansing Community Co-Op Guide - The Downtown Management Board continues to offer co-op funding in the amount of $67.50 for businesses that select to advertise within the East Lansing Community Guide. Harbor House Publishers, of Boyne City, Michigan, will be producing 5,000 copies of the community guide, featuring City services, community events and retail/restaurant opportunities throughout the downtown. Co-op funding will be limited to the first 10 participants.
For more information regarding advertisements, please contact Dave Yoder of Harbor House Publisher at dyoder@harborhouse.com.
GLCVB Co-Op - The Downtown Management Board is providing $25 co-op assistance to businesses that select to become first-time members of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. Through this membership, businesses receive an array of services including a free publication within the Greater Lansing magazine, invitations to quarterly social meet & greet events, a listing on www.lansing.org and information listed on kiosks throughout the Greater Lansing region. The co-op funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to 10 participants.
The Downtown Management Board Business Relations Committee is still seeking information from all downtown restaurants that provide lunch delivery. The DMB is currently gathering information for “Welcome Packets” that will be distributed to office users located throughout the downtown.
The welcome packets will include an application form for the downtown business directory, parking voucher opportunities, a DMB/DDA roster of board members and important reference numbers for City departments.
The Business Relations Committee would also like to include a detailed listing of restaurants, with telephone numbers, for those businesses that deliver during the lunch hour. If your business is interested in being placed on this list, please contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope of the Planning & Community Development Office at (517) 319-6930, or through email at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com. Business information will only be included for those businesses that contact City personnel.
The popular March Magic Hoopfest will take place March 18–20 and March 25–27 at the Jenison Field House on Michigan State University’s campus. The March Magic Hoopfest is an interactive basketball playground for children of all ages, including games, basketball skill venues, historical display, and educational activities.
Hoopfest is a fun event for those families visiting East Lansing for the MHSAA Girls and Boys Basketball Semi Finals and Finals. Merchants are advised that hundreds of visitors will be in the East Lansing region during each of these days.
Advancements continue for the Michigan/Grand River Avenue Transportation Study. Currently, a consultant is working to create a Fatal Flaw Analysis of the various transportation alternatives. This will provide the study with enough information to eliminate unfeasible options and proceed with more detailed analysis. The results of this analysis will be announced periodically.
After further public involvement, the study will conclude with the selection of a locally preferred alternative in September 2010. For updates, please refer to the project website www.migrtrans.org.
For most small business owners, differentiating between owning, operating and managing a business can be difficult at times. So, how can you tell the difference between them? Below please find a list of questions that can help business owners distinguish between each of these separate responsibilities!
Owning – What are, or will you, be liable for? How is you business legally structured? What is your risk assessment?
Operating –What are your hours of business? Do you have the appropriate amount of employees for slow/busy time periods during the week? Are your receipts and sales rerecorded daily?
Managing – Do you follow proper hiring procedures for new employees? Do you have an employee handbook? When do you pay your bills or monthly expenses? How is cash flowing into and out of your business?
Keeping each of these concepts in the forefront of your mind, can help to implement strong business practices. Remember, while cash is King, managing it is Queen.
Small Business Tips are provided by Denise Peek, Director of the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan. The Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan is committed to providing business counseling and resources to entrepreneurs throughout the Greater Lansing area. Visit www.eim-m.org/index.php for more information about the Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan.
Mike Wylie Chairperson Vivian Milligan, Vice Chairperson William Mansfield, Treasurer Joyce Banish Siham Baladi Tom LeBlanc Kelli Flynn-Schut Mayor Victor Loomis, Council Liaison.
The Downtown Management Board (DMB) is pleased to announce two co-op advertising opportunity for all businesses located within the DMB district.
The first opportunity includes the inaugural printing of the East Lansing Community Guide. Harbor House Publishers, based in Michigan, will be creating 5,000 copies of the community guide, featuring City services, community events, downtown East Lansing, community resources and much more. An interactive digital copy of the guide will also be available online.
The DMB will provide co-op funding in the amount of $67.50 for each business that selects to place an advertisement within the community guide co-op page. The co-op funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to 10 participants.
In addition to providing co-op dollars for the East Lansing Community Guide, the DMB is also providing $25 in co-op assistance to businesses that select to become first-time Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau members.
Through this membership, businesses receive an array of services including a free publication within the Greater Lansing magazine, invitations to quarterly social meet & greet events; a listing on the www.lansing.org and information listed on kiosks throughout the Greater Lansing district.
Please note that this program is only available to those businesses that have never obtained membership with the GLCVB in the past. The co-op funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis and will be limited to 10 participants.
For more information regarding this co-op opportunity, please contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope, City of East Lansing Department of Planning and Community Development office at (517) 319-6930.
With the recent arrival of office users throughout the downtown East Lansing area, the Business Relations Committee is working to create Office User Welcome packets. These packets will be created and distributed to persons working within office spaces throughout the downtown.
Information presented within the packets will include an application form for the downtown business directory, parking voucher opportunities, a DMB/DDA roster of board members and important reference numbers for City departments.
The Business Relations Committee would also like to include a listing of all downtown businesses that currently provide food delivery services, in addition to a telephone listing of those businesses. If your business is interested in being placed on this list, please contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope of the Planning & Community Development Office at (517) 319-6930, or through email at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com. Business information will only be included for those businesses that contact City personnel.
Start thinking about nominating fellow businesses for the 2010 Crystal Award! Beginning Jan. 18, the City of East Lansing will solicit nominations for the 2010 Crystal Awards. Visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/crystalawards to learn more.
Each year, the Crystal Awards honor individuals, groups, organizations, businesses and commercial enterprises that have gone above and beyond to enhance the quality of life in East Lansing.
A free community reception honoring the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals, businesses and organizations that have impacted the East Lansing community in a positive way will take place on Thursday, April 22 at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center.
The Downtown Management Board is still seeking applications for a board member position. Constituents of the board strive to develop, redevelop, promote and maintain the Downtown East Lansing business district.
Board members are asked to serve on one of three sub-committees, including marketing, business relations, or maintenance with a total commitment time of no more than five hours a month.
The appointment position would be effective through December 2012. If you have any further questions related to the DMB, please feel free to contact either Heather Pope or Amy Schlusler in the Community & Development Office at (517) 319-6930.
Marketing is a concept that all business owners know, but how well do they really understand it? I like to say that marketing is everything you say and do that relates to your business. Everything means understanding your PRODUCT/SERVICE - what are the features and benefits to your customer? PRICE – What value does your customer believe your product/service is worth? PLACE – Meaning how will your deliver your product/service to your customer? Will you deliver the product/service to them personally, will you sell your product/service online, bottom line, and how will they GET IT?
Last but not least is PROMOTION. There is this myth that advertising is marketing! Advertising is a tool or technique used as part of a marketing plan and it is something that you have to pay for! PROMOTION - includes publicity, which is FREE) sponsoring small events in your community, such as auctions and golf tournaments and or course the newest form of marketing –Social Media. Social Media includes Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and You Tube. These are no–low cost ways of promoting your product or service. Understanding the 4 P’s of marketing will is an essential element of your business!
The East Lansing Art Festival is holding a 2010 Art Festival Preview Party on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 5-9 p.m. at the East Lansing Technology Innovation Center (TIC), 325 E. Grand River Ave. Designed as a fundraiser for the festival, the preview will feature a sampling of local musicians and artists scheduled to appear at the festival.
(SCENE) Metrospace will kick off the 2010 exhibition season with the unveiling of its latest art exhibit, msu@scenemetrospace, at an opening reception on Friday, Jan. 15 from 6-9 p.m. The exhibit is a mixed media show featuring artistic works by some of Michigan State University’s finest artists.
The City of East Lansing's popular Children's Concert Series will be held on Feb. 6, 13 and 20 at 11 a.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. The series features free, live concerts for children of all ages.
Mike Wylie Chairperson Vivian Milligan, Vice Chairperson William Mansfield, Treasurer Joyce Banish Siham Baladi Tom LeBlanc Kelli Flynn-Schut Victor Loomis, Council Liaison
The Downtown Management Board is actively seeking applications for a board member position. Constituents of the board strive to develop, redevelop, promote, and maintain the Principal Shopping District of the downtown East Lansing region.
Board members are asked to serve on one of three sub-committees, including marketing, business relations, or maintenance with a total commitment time of no more than 5 hours a month.
The appointment position would be effective until December of 2013. If you have any further questions related to the Downtown Management Board, please feel free to contact either Heather Pope or Amy Schlusler in the Community & Development Office at 319-6930.
The Downtown Management Board is pleased to announce that the City of East Lansing will once again provide FREE downtown Holiday Parking. Free Parking will begin on Saturday, December 19th and be available through December 27th.
Parking will be free at all meters, parking garages and surface lots for everyone. Signs for businesses’ doors will be made available to publicize the program. The City has more than two thousand parking spaces available in the central downtown shopping district.
Plans for the second printing of the 2009-2010 Visitor’s Guide are well underway, with the Downtown Marketing Committee and City of East Lansing Planning staff working to develop the informational brochure.
The businesses located within the Downtown Management Board District will be listed in the guide, along with their addresses and phone numbers. The guides are scheduled to be printed in mid-February.
Enclosed please find a link to the current visitor’s guide. If your business information needs to be updated, please contact Amy Schlusler in the Planning and Community Development office at (517) 319-6931 or through e-mail at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
During the 2010 calendar year, more than thirty thousand copies of the guide will be distributed throughout East Lansing and the Michigan State University campus.
For several years, the Downtown Management Board has maintained membership with the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau (GLCVB).
Through this membership, the DMB receives an array of services geared to enhance marketing and business relations throughout the region. These services include: a free publication within the Greater Lansing magazine; invitations to quarterly Social Meet & Greet events; a listing on the lansing.org website; and information listed on kiosks throughout the Greater Lansing district.
In an effort to expand its co-op program, the Downtown Management Board is now offering $25.00 in co-op assistance to businesses that select to become first-time members of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitor’s Bureau. Please note that this program is only available to those businesses that have never obtained membership with the GLCVB in the past. The co-op money will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis and will be limited to 10 participants. A direct link to the GLCVB website can be found below.
For more information regarding first-time membership with the GLCVB, please contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope, City of East Lansing Department of Planning and Community Development office at (517)319-6930.
http://www.lansing.org/about-the-glcvb
As announced in March of 2009, MSU Technologies will be moving into a 6,600-square-foot space, on the third floor of the Barnes & Noble building, as the anchor tenant in the City’s SmartZone space. This location is adjacent to the East Lansing Technology Innovation Center. MSU Technologies identifies and commercializes inventions created by MSU’s world-renowned researchers.
The office has a growing staff of 15 full-time employees who work closely with MSU inventors and businesses, interested in licensing their inventions to create new products and services. MSU Technologies’ relocation to the downtown space will not only accommodate continued growth to some 20 full-time employees this year, but will also provide space for a planned MSU intern program.
The move is expected to be complete by mid-December 2009. This relocation is the result of a partnership between the City of East Lansing, MSU, the East Lansing Downtown Development Authority, and MSU Technologies.
They’re coming to town! U2, the famous rock band, is scheduled to play live in concert on June 30, 2010 at Spartan Stadium. U2 has won 22 Grammy Awards and the band’s 12 studio albums have totaled worldwide sales of more than 145 million records. Around 75,000 persons are expected to attend the concert, which is part of U2’s current 360 tour, featuring a 360 degree moving stage configuration.
A planning group, consisting of City and University staff, has been created to discuss multiple aspects related to the concert, including traffic and parking. Considerations for additional community activities are also being discussed.
Downtown merchants are being asked to treat this event similar to a MSU football Saturday event. More information regarding the concert will be available in future editions of the “Talk of the Town” newsletter.
On October 1, 2009 Corrin VanWick, Director of the East Lansing Art Festival, sent a letter to downtown merchants highlighting potential sponsorship opportunities for the 2010 Art Festival. Please view the letter at the City’s downtown website: www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown.
The Art Festival Committee is seeking sponsors at this time. For additional information regarding the festival, please contact Corinn Van Wyck through phone (517) 319-6804 or email at: cvanwyc@cityofeastlansing.com.
The Michigan/Grand River Avenue Transportation Study is a regional collaborative process led by CATA (Capital Area Transportation Authority) involving local communities including the City of East Lansing, City of Lansing, MSU, MDOT, and other regional partners, to study the possibility of major transportation improvements along the Michigan / Grand River Corridor.
The study will follow the Federal Transit Administration’s Alternatives Analysis process which involves 4 key steps: 1) Project Initiation – Ideas; 2) Identify Possible Alternatives; 3) Detailed Evaluation of Alternatives; and 4) Selection of Locally Preferred Alternative. The steering and the technical committees are currently working on the first and second elements.
The steering committee asks all interested persons to share their vision and ideas about the corridor, and encourages them to be involved in the evaluation of alternatives. Two meetings are scheduled to be held in December for business owners, developers and stakeholders to share their comments regarding possible travel alternatives within the corridor.
All downtown business owners are asked to consider attending one of the following meetings:
December 11, 2009 8:30AM – 10:00PM Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce Conference Room 500 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing
December 14, 2009 1:00PM – 2:30PM Hannah Community Center Conference Room, 2nd Floor 819 Abbot Rd, East Lansing
If interested in attending a meeting, please RSVP by Dec 9th to: cdeimling@cata.org or at 517-394-1100.
In addition, three Public Open Houses will be held in January (1/12, 1/13 and 1/14), for committee members to receive more community input on the future of transit in our region and community. For more information, please click onto the following website: http://www.migrtrans.org.
Mike Wylie Chairperson Vivian Milligan, Vice Chairperson William Mansfield, Treasurer Joyce Banish Siham Baladi Tom LeBlanc
Ray Walsh Kelli Flynn-Schut Victor Loomis, Council Liaison.
Copyright 2009, City of East Lansing
While flipping through the local newspapers, you may notice multiple advertisements for Back-2-School shopping in downtown East Lansing. More than 11 businesses chose to take part in the Downtown Management Board’s (DMB) co-op advertising program, with advertisements scheduled to run through Sept. 13. Three hundred dollars in matching funding was offered to businesses for Back-2-School advertising, with businesses being provided the opportunity to split their funding between Back-2-School and holiday advertisements.
Businesses that have yet to participate in co-op advertising are not too late though! DMB co-op advertising opportunities for businesses during the holidays are still available. More information will be mailed to businesses in October. Be on the lookout!
The DMB’s Marketing Committee is currently working to develop a year-round marketing campaign. The committee is committed to identifying key areas in which merchants are interested in receiving advertising incentives.
Visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown to find a marketing survey developed by the Marketing Committee. This survey takes no longer than five minutes to complete. Responses will be tabulated and reviewed by the Marketing Committee. The individual business information will not be provided to advertising agencies or salespersons. Aggregate data will be posted at www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown once final results are received. The DMB is requesting that all surveys be completed by Wednesday, Sept. 16 at 5 p.m.
Contact Amy Schlusler at (517)319-6931 or dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com with additional questions about the survey.
The 2009-2010 East Lansing Visitor’s Guides have arrived, offering an up-to-date resource for downtown East Lansing customers.
This year, the DMB worked to give the brochures a whole new look and feel. The new brochures feature new photos of the downtown and an up-to-date listing of phone numbers for businesses located throughout the DMB district. Visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/downtown to check out the new publication.
The brochures are readily made available to any business that would like to place them out on their counters for patrons. If interested, contact the East Lansing Department of Planning & Community Development at (517) 319-6930.
The Downtown Marketing Committee has voted to approve the addition of the “Greater Lansing Woman” magazine to its list of endorsed co-op advertising entities. The “Greater Lansing Woman” magazine, distributed through the Lansing State Journal, targets women, 25 years of age and older, living within the Greater Lansing region. Co-op advertising is offered to all businesses located within the DMB district during key marketing times each year. This often includes Back-2-School advertising, holiday advertising and Sidewalk Sales advertising. Currently, the DMB allows merchants to advertise within all mediums of communication including: television, radio, Internet and print mediums.
Popular advertising agencies include: WLNS, WILX, FOX47, Citadel Communications and the Lansing State Journal. Please contact Amy Schlusler at (517) 319-6931 for more information.
Construction to replace the overhead garage door in the refuse area of the City Center Parking Garage, 121 Charles St., will begin on Tuesday, Sept. 8 and will last for approximately three weeks.
The dumpsters, currently located inside the refuse area, will be temporarily relocated along Charles Street, between the alley entrance and Grand River Avenue. The grease containers will remain inside the refuse area and will be accessible through the service door. The alley will remain open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic during the construction project.
If you have any questions regarding this project, please contact Heather Pope at (517) 319-6877 or hpope@cityofeastlansing.com.
Setting goals for your small business is a key element to its success. Goals can be set to achieve an increase in revenue, an increase in your share of the market and an increase in staffing. Goals can also help to decrease expenses. The goals you establish for your business should be shared with all those that are directly associated with your business, including staff and partners. Goals should also be SMART: Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely. If your goals are SMART, it will help you achieve them.
Mike Wylie Chairperson Vivian Milligan, Vice Chairperson William Mansfield, Treasurer Joyce Banish Siham Baladi Tom LeBlanclsh Kelli Flynn-Schut Victor Loomis, Council Liaison.
Volunteers and employees alike are preparing for the 2009 Great Lakes Folk Festival, scheduled to take place Aug. 7-9 in downtown East Lansing.
The Folk Festival encompasses a unique mixture of art, music and hands-on activity workshops, featuring nearly 100 musicians and dancers, food vendors, crafts and demonstrators. This year, the festival will feature a variety of activities and performances, including five separate performance stages, a children's hands-on activity area, crafts demonstrations and a craft marketplace.
Under the direction of the MSU Museum's Michigan Traditional Arts Program and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the Folk Festival represents partnerships of civic, business, education and arts agencies throughout the state.
Festival hours for the annual event are: Friday, Aug. 7: 6 p.m. - 10:30 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 8, noon - 10:30 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 9, noon - 6 p.m.
Please visit http://greatlakesfolkfest.net for more information on performance schedules, volunteer opportunities and sponsorship information.
The 2009 East Lansing Sidewalk Sales, that took place July 9-12, appear to have been a “big success," according to merchants throughout the downtown region. During an informal phone survey of businesses that participated, more than 15 businesses stated that their foot traffic had increased from previous years. Business owners said that they felt the increase was due to holding the sale during the month of July as opposed to June. As a result, the Downtown Management Board and the City of East Lansing will hold Sidewalk Sales during the month of July again in 2010.
The Downtown Management Board (DMB) is still collecting contracts from businesses interested in advertising in the Greater Lansing magazine.
The magazine, created and dispensed by the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau, will be placed in hundreds of locations throughout the Lansing region, including hotels, motels, apartment complexes, airports, major shopping areas, information booths and throughout college campuses. More than 140,000 copies will be distributed.
This year, the DMB plans to purchase a one-page advertisement within the magazine, highlighting 10 to 12 businesses located within the DMB district. Businesses are being asked to contribute $250 towards their portion of the ad, with the Downtown Management Board providing more than $500 in advertising funding.
The Greater Lansing magazine will be printed and distributed in early August. Therefore, all interested businesses need to contact the DMB by Friday, August 7. For more information on advertising within the Greater Lansing magazine, please contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope at the City of East Lansing Department of Planning and Community Development office at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or Jan Pfiffer of the Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau at (517) 377-1410.
Mark it on your calendars! The MSU Moonlight Madness event is quickly approaching. The event will be held on Monday, August 31 from 8-10 p.m., with hundreds of students exploring downtown East Lansing businesses. Incoming MSU students will hop on the complimentary CATA (Capital Area Transit Authority) bus, to be dropped off at key locations, including downtown East Lansing and the Meijer stores located on Lake Lansing Road in East Lansing and Grand River Avenue in Okemos.
This event provides the perfect opportunity for retail establishments and restaurants to offer incentives for students to visit the downtown frequently. Please be on the look-out for more information regarding the upcoming Moonlight Madness event in future mailings during the month of August.
The design for the new 2009-2010 Visitor’s Guide is well underway, with the Downtown Marketing Committee and City of East Lansing Planning staff working alongside East Lansing design company Outer Graphics to develop the new informational brochure.
All businesses located within the Downtown Management Board District will be listed in the guide, along with address and phone number information. The guides are scheduled to be printed in mid-August. Fifty thousand copies of the guide will then be distributed throughout key locations within the East Lansing community and be made available throughout the Michigan State University campus as well.
Please contact Amy Schlusler in the Planning and Community Development office at (517) 319-6931 or through e-mail at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com with additional questions regarding the guide.
This month, “Talk of the Town” is proud to introduce a new series entitled Small Business Tips. This series is being produced to provide useful information to potential and current small business owners. The tips will be provided by Denise Peek, the executive director of the Entrepreneur Institute. Continue to look for Small Business Tips throughout future editions of the “Talk of the Town” e-newsletter.
Tip #1: Know what your personal credit history is before starting your business venture; it will save you valuable time and money.
In today’s economy credit markets are very tight and finding the right source of capital depends on your personal credit history. If your credit history is less than perfect expect to pay more in interest because you are considered a “high risk” to a lender. Check your credit before entering through that door!
Downtown Management Board Members: Mike Wylie, Chairperson; Vivian Milligan, Vice Chairperson; William Mansfield, Treasurer; Joyce Banish; Siham Baladi; Tom LeBlanc; Ray Walsh; Kelli Flynn-Schut; and Victor Loomis, Council Liaison.
CORRECTION NOTICE Dear Subscriber: Please note the bolded correction below for the article “2009 Sidewalk Sales Approaching: Food Vendor and Co-Op Advertising Opportunities Available,” placed within the June edition of the Talk of the Town e-newsletter: This year, the DMB is providing an exciting opportunity for downtown restaurants to take part by selling food and beverage items on the sidewalk. Restaurant owners will NOT be required to obtain a Temporary Food Service license in order to sell food and drinks. However, all food must be prepared within the restaurant facility and wrapped, before being sold on the sidewalks. The following requirements must be met, in order for restaurants to be able to sell food on the sidewalk. 1.) A protective guard must be put into place to prevent customers from sneezing/coughing onto food 2.) A temporary hand-sink system must be created so that employees are able to wash their hands with clean water while serving food 3.) A bucket/container must be used in order to trap wastewater 4.) All food must be prepared within the restaurant and wrapped before being placed outside for sale 5.) Food that is meant to be served warm must maintain a heat of or above 135 degrees Fahrenheit 6.) Food that is meant to be served cold must maintain a heat of or below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. Currently, the Downtown Management Board is offering Co-Op funding of $75.00 to businesses located within the DMB region that wish to advertise for the upcoming Sidewalk Sales. Businesses are required to match the funding. For example, if a business chooses to spend $150 total on an advertisement, the DMB will spend $75 to match the business’s $75. The total the DMB will match with your business for Co-Op advertising for Sidewalk Sales is $75, but businesses are allowed to spend more themselves if they so choose. For television and radio, businesses will have their own 15-second commercial put in the middle of the DMB’s 30-second donut commercial and the commercial must state “Downtown East Lansing Sidewalk Sales, July 9th through July 12th”. If a business decides to go with print advertisement, the DMB’s logo must be placed somewhere in the advertisement and the ad must state, “Downtown East Lansing Sidewalk Sales, July 9th through July 12th”. A signed copy of the DMB contract is due by Wednesday, July 1st. The DMB currently has a budget that will allow 20 total businesses to take part in advertising co-op assistance. Those businesses planning to take part in the 2009 Sidewalk Sales are being asked to contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope at (517)319-6931 or at: dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
The Downtown Management Board (DMB) and City of East Lansing will once again host Sidewalk Sales, July 9-12.
This year, the DMB is providing an exciting opportunity for downtown restaurants to take part by selling food and beverage items on the sidewalk. Restaurant owners will NOT be required to obtain a Temporary Food Service license in order to sell food and drinks. However, all food must be prepared within the restaurant facility and wrapped, before being sold on the sidewalks. The following requirements must be met, in order for restaurants to be able to sell food on the sidewalks:
Currently, the DMB is offering co-op funding of $75 to businesses located within the DMB region that wish to advertise for the upcoming Sidewalk Sales. Businesses are required to match the funding. For example, if a business chooses to spend $150 total on an advertisement, the DMB will spend $75 to match the business’s $75. The maximum amount the DMB will match with your business for Co-Op advertising for Sidewalk Sales is $75, but businesses are allowed to spend more themselves if they so choose.
For television and radio, businesses will have their own 15-second commercial put in the middle of the DMB’s 30-second donut commercial and the commercial must state “Downtown East Lansing Sidewalk Sales, July 9-12". If a business decides to go with print advertisement, the DMB’s logo must be placed somewhere in the advertisement and the ad must state, “Downtown East Lansing Sidewalk Sales, July 9-12".
A signed copy of the DMB contract is due by Wednesday, July 1. The DMB currently has a budget that will allow 20 total businesses to take part in advertising co-op assistance. Those businesses planning to take part in the 2009 Sidewalk Sales are being asked to contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope at (517)319-6931 or at: dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com.
The 2009 East Lansing Farmer’s Market is preparing to open for its debut season, bountiful with farm-grown Michigan produce and products. The market will begin on Sunday, July 12 at 10 a.m. in Valley Court Park, 201 Hillside Court, and continue every Sunday from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. through Oct. 25.
The market will feature a diverse selection of local foods as well as a Veggie Valet service, featuring friendly parcel pickup. Visit www.cityofeastlansing.com/farmersmarket to find more information and a list of vendors.
In order to ensure the market's success, the City of East Lansing is seeking community volunteers to serve in a variety of volunteer positions including information booth, greeters, Veggie Valet, parking, set up/tear down and floaters. Click here to download a volunteer registration form.
(SCENE) Metrospace is pleased to announce an exciting concert opportunity taking place on Saturday, July 18.
Jay Nash, a nationally acclaimed folk rock/acoustic artist will be taking the stage at (SCENE) Metrospace for his Youth Zoo Concert. Nash, who has been touring the country since mid-June, is scheduled to play selections from his recently released album “The Things You Think You Need”.
Concert tickets are currently available for $7 at the Flat, Black & Circular store, located at 541 E. Grand River Ave., Ste. 2 in downtown East Lansing. Additional tickets will be available at the door the evening of the concert for $8.
Visit www.scenemetrospace.com for additional information about this exciting event and other events and exhibit openings taking place at (SCENE) Metrospace.
(SCENE) Metrospace is located at 110 Charles St. in the colorful parking ramp in downtown East Lansing.
The Greater Lansing Convention & Visitors Bureau (GLCVB) is gearing up to publish its annual Greater Lansing magazine. In 2010, the GLCVB will distribute approximately 140,000 copies in hundreds of locations throughout the Lansing region, including hotels, motels, apartment complexes, airports, major shopping areas, information booths and throughout area college campuses.
This year, the Downtown Management Board (DMB) plans to purchase a one-page advertisement within the magazine, highlighting 10 to 12 businesses located within the DMB district. Businesses are being asked to contribute $250 towards their portion of the advertisement, while the DMB will be providing more than $500 in advertising funding. The Greater Lansing magazine will be printed and distributed in early August, therefore, all interested businesses need to act fast! For more information on advertising within the Greater Lansing magazine, please contact Amy Schlusler or Heather Pope at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com or at (517)319-6931. The DMB is seeking a commitment from each business by Friday, July 10.
By Nick Chilenko, President of Nicholas Creative - More than 80 percent of Internet users look for information online about a product or service before buying (Source: Pew Internet & American Life). Don’t overlook promotion on the Web, because you are losing out on a valuable source of new business opportunities. When considering how to invest your marketing dollars, it’s important to consider the benefits of online marketing over traditional marketing:
Analytics and Conversion Tracking - see where your visitors are coming from and learn the most effective methods of converting your browsers into buyers.
Value – garner more measurable results at a lower cost per acquisition than traditional advertising.
Reach and Targeting – market your products globally or tap specific markets.
The benefits of Internet marketing over traditional marketing are clear, but what types of online activities should your downtown business engage in? Here are a few suggestions:
Web site design/improvements - Your Web site serves as the hub of your marketing activity. Before investing in online promotion, it’s vital that your Web site is properly optimized for the best user experience, including straight forward navigation and easy usability.
E-mail communications - Communicating with customers via e-mail is more cost effective and more measurable than traditional direct mail. Using sophisticated analytics, it is possible to determine how many people viewed your marketing message, who visited your Web site and even the exact number of new sales generated from the deployment.
Social media - Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and LinkedIn are just a few of the popular social tools you can utilize to target your next customer. A well thought out social media strategy will ensure you are reaching the right people in the most economical fashion.
About Nicholas Creative: Nicholas Creative is a boutique creative agency located in the East Lansing Technology Innovation Center. Experienced, accomplished and agile, Nicholas Creative helps businesses of all types build their brands by leveraging the Internet as a communication tool. Nick Chilenko, President of Nicholas Creative, was awarded Automation Alley’s 2009 X-Factor Award, which honors Michigan techies for their “X-traordinary innovations”. Nick was also recently invited on WDTK’s Inspire Michigan radio show to speak about how young entrepreneurs can reinvigorate the local economy.
Biz Vidz videos are still available to downtown businesses, but they're going fast! East Lansing business owners Justin Caine and Kraig Westfall of Good Fruit, LLC (located within the East Lansing Technology Innovation Center) have teamed up to with the Downtown Management Board (DMB) to offer the production of the videos to downtown East Lansing businesses at a low cost.
A Biz Vidz is a one- to three-minute video commercial developed to market the assets of your individual businesses. The Biz Vidz often include interviews with business owners and customers, as well as video footage of the company. Once the video is produced, businesses are able to post their commercial on their business Web site, YouTube, Google Video or any other social networking site to share and distribute with existing customers.
Currently, there is a special introductory cost of $850 per video. Normally, the cost per Biz Vidz video is $1,600. The DMB has committed to contributing $200 toward the first five videos sold, leaving a remaining cost of $650 for the business.
Materials are available at the Planning & Community Development Office at City Hall, 410 Abbot Road. You can also reach Kraig Westfall at (517) 974-0356 or Amy Schlusler at (517) 319-6931 for more information. Please click on the links below to view some local Biz Vidz that have already been created for local business owners.
Crunchy's Video
Mackerel Sky Video
Student Book Store Video
The "Talk of the Town" newsletter is pleased to announce the introduction of a new column entitled Small Business Tips. Denise Peek, the Executive Director of the Entrepreneurial Institute, will provide business owners with some helpful hints on how to best approach business practices throughout the year. Peek works with low-to-medium income people that wish to start a small business, by educating them on proper work practices and providing them with small start-up loans. She also trains existing business owners on how to write and best implement business and marketing plans. Please look for the new Small Business Tips section in the July edition of the “Talk of the Town”
Planning for the East Lansing Art Festival is well underway! The City will play host to nearly 230 artists throughout North America during the 46th Annual East Lansing Art Festival, May 16th and 17th. With the festival date quickly approaching, the City is offering a variety of opportunities for merchants to get involved.
Tap into this unique group of shoppers by participating in the ELAF/DMB "Artist Welcome Pack". Merchants are invited to help fill the packets by providing dinner and entertainment incentives, coupons, special offers, etc. The packets will be distributed to each artist as they arrive in town. Please plan to provide at least 240 pieces of promotional materials by April 30, 2009. For more information, contact Amy Schlusler at aschlus@cityofeastlansing.com to participate in this program.
Show off your culinary talent and expertise, by serving as a food vendor during the East Lansing Art Festival. The festival still has limited openings for restaurant/food vendors for the May 16th and 17th event. The festival provides tent space, water, and electric hook-ups. Vendors must meet all health department regulations, supply equipment for cooking and refrigeration needs on site, and possess a temporary permit for food service from the health department. Please contact the festival ASAP if you are interested in participating: Michelle Carlson 517-319-6804 mcarlson@cityofeastlansing.com
The East Lansing Art Festival is currently seeking sponsors for the 46th annual festival. Art festival sponsorships not only support our community by allowing the City to present this beloved arts and cultural event every year, but also offers a valuable advertising program with a great return on your investment! Time is running out, but there is still time to take advantage of our recognition packages as a festival sponsor! Please contact Corinn VanWyck at the festival office 517-319-6804 or through email at: cvanwyck@cityofeastlansing.com
Would you like to help support the East Lansing Art Festival, but just aren’t quite sure how to contribute? What about volunteering your time? Every year, hundreds of community members help to make the East Lansing Art Festival a success by volunteering their services during the festival. Volunteer time slots are approximately 2-3 hours long and all willing individuals can sign up for the tasks of their choice! Every volunteer will receive a free 2009 Art Festival T-shirt and have access to this year’s hospitality room. For more information please contact Michelle Carlson 517-319 6804or through email at mcarlson@cityofeastlansing.com.
An honorary reception recognizing the extraordinary accomplishments of individuals, businesses and organizations who have impacted the East Lansing Community in positive ways will take place during the 22nd Annual Crystal Awards.
The annual program will be held on Thursday, April 23rd at 5 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. The program will feature an awards program, hors d’oeuvres and live harp music by Dorothea Fields.
Four recipients, including three recognized within the community category and one in the business category will be announced at 6 p.m. Recipients were nominated by fellow community members and later selected by a nine-member selection committee. This reception is open to the entire community and is free.
The Crystal Awards are hosted annually by the East Lansing City Council to recognize individuals, groups and organizations that have gone above and beyond to enhance the quality of life in East Lansing.
Merchants can also opt to produce a 30 to 90 second promotional video that will play on the website. Packages are being offered in increments of $50.00 or $70.00 a month. Unlike other websites, this new service will be driven by a multimedia advertising campaign. Advertisements regarding savemidmichigan.com will be broadcast on WILX-TV, wilx.com, WILX Mobile, and NEWS 10 Weather Source. For more information regarding the savemidmichigan.com campaign, please contact Suzy Stacey at suzanne.stacey@wilx.com or (517)393-0110.
With MSU students preparing to pack-up for the summer, the City of East Lansing and off-campus students are gearing up for the second annual Pack Up, Pitch In recycling program.
This year’s two-day recycling event will take place Thursday, May 7 and Friday, May 8 from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. in the overflow parking lot to the north of the East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road. Students are invited to recycle or donate the following items: clothing, shoes, non-perishable food, carpet, electronic waste, sofas, furniture, mattresses, blankets, pillows, household items and regularly collected recyclables (i.e. glass, paper, plastic bottles, ect.).
Participating students will not only enhance the City’s efforts to protect the environment through a “Go Green” recycling initiative, but will also lend a hand to local charities throughout the mid-Michigan area that will receive the donated items.
Students are asked to bring their school IDs to the event. A $7.50 collection fee will apply to furniture in poor condition. All other items will be collected for free. Volunteers from the Community Relations Coalition (CRC) and City will be on hand at the ELHCC checkpoint both days of the off-campus event to help unload vehicles and check IDs. This is a rain-or-shine event. For more information, please click onto www.cityofeastlansing.com/PackUpPitchIn.
The Entrepreneur Institute of Mid-Michigan will be hosting the seminar “Foundations of Business Planning” for East Lansing entrepreneurs this spring.
The program is designed to guide entrepreneurs through the process of developing a business plan. Entrepreneurs will be introduced to resources, tools and techniques necessary to develop and maintain a solid business foundation.
They can also gain insight into the world of business management and operations through interaction with other entrepreneurs and business professionals located within the community.
The special training will take place March 17th through June 23rd on Tuesday nights from 6-9 p.m. at the East Lansing Hannah Community Center. Entrepreneurs can pre-register online at www.eim-m.org.
The program cost is $275 or $375, based on income levels. For more information, please call (517) 853-5890.
The City of East Lansing’s Communications Department is currently in the process of updating the “downtown” portion of the City of East Lansing’s website. All information placed on the website is being provided by the Business Directory Information Sheet. If you have not filled out and submitted a Business Directory Information Sheet, please do so as soon as possible. The sheet can be filled out and submitted on-line here.
An anticipated completion date for the website is set for mid-April. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Amy Schlusler at (517)319-6931.
The first downtown business “Biz Vidz” is complete! Mackerel Sky is boasting the success of its completed on-line video. In less than one-week, the video has been viewed by more than 200 separate computers. Please click here for a video demonstration.
The video was produced by downtown business owners Justin Caine of Good Time Communications and Kraig Westfall of KiWe Video Productions. Due to popular demand, the Downtown Management Board voted to extend grant funding of $200.00 towards additional “Biz Vidz” videos to businesses located within the DMB district. Currently, funds are still available for the production of four videos. For more information regarding a “Biz Vidz”, please contact either Amy Schlusler within the Planning and Community Development Office at (517) 319-6931 or Kraig Westfall at (517) 974-0356.
Michigan State University has announced that the starting date for the upcoming Fall Semester 2009 will be changed from previous years. During the Fall of 2009, classes are scheduled to begin on Wednesday, September 2nd, with first-year students moving into residence halls on Sunday, August 30th. This change shortens the period known as Fall Welcome Week, in which first-year students have traditionally undergone orientation to the university. Although the initial orientation period is shorter, a revised series of events and activities will support the transition of students to the university and East Lansing community as a whole. Other programs will be implemented for students throughout the academic year as well. “Taking a thoughtful look at the academic calendar provided us with the opportunity to re-think not only how we begin the school year, but also the ways in which we prepare our students to be academically successful throughout the entire year,” said MSU Provost Kim Wilcox. Potential changes to merchant calendar dates, such as the Moonlight Madness event, will be announced within the upcoming months.
Does your business have any big marketing plans for the month of July? Right now, the Downtown Management Board is exploring the option of co-hosting Sidewalk Sales for one weekend during the summer month. However, we need your input! Please email the DMB at dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com to let us know whether your business is interested or not interested in taking part in a Sidewalk Sales event. All feedback provided will help the Downtown Management Board determine whether or not to pursue the project. We appreciate your contributions!
Planning for the 13th annual Summer Solstice Jazz Festival is well underway, with jazz enthusiasts gearing up for another memorable weekend.
The festival, scheduled to be held on June 19th and June 20th in downtown East Lansing, will feature two extraordinary outdoor evenings of live jazz! The FREE festival is brought to the area through a partnership between the City of East Lansing, Wharton Center for Performing Arts, and the MSU College of Music. Each evening, four extraordinary performances, featuring eight high caliber jazz musicians will entertain crowds on the main stage.
Would you like to be involved? For more information on how your business can take part in the festivities, or to help sponsor the event, please contact Joyce Banish at (517)333- 2250.
Have your customers ever complained about the lack of “good” parking spaces located directly outside of your businesses’ door? The City of East Lansing’s Parking Department asks that all downtown business owners and employees remain conscience of customers’ needs when coming to the downtown region to shop. The City has more than two thousand parking spaces available in the central downtown shopping district. With that many choices, patrons should have no problem finding parking spaces. When merchants, employees, and City officials park within parking garages, it opens up a tremendous amount of space in surface lot areas. For a demonstration on the benefits of parking within a parking garage, please take a moment to view this on-line video.
Send all Questions and Comments to: dmbcoordinator@cityofeastlansing.com
Downtown Management Board Members
Downtown Management Staff
It’s a whole new look, with a whole new feel! The City of East Lansing has rolled out a new, interactive Web site for the public to enjoy.
The new site, found at www.cityofeastlansing.com, serves as an upgrade to the City’s previous site. Portions of the site’s content are driven by the City’s past Web statistics, including new sections for residents, students, visitors, businesses and newcomers. The site also incorporates drop-down menus, fly-out menus and Web breadcrumbs for easier usability.
“This site really brings us up to speed with many of the leading sites in the country,” said East Lansing City Manager Theodore Staton. “It is custom-tailored to serve the informational needs of our City’s many stakeholders and does so in a fresh, graphically pleasing way.”
The City’s new Web site was graphically designed by Blohm Creative Partners, an East Lansing business. The last Web site redesign took place in 2001.
For more information, call (517) 319-6927.
Last month, the “Talk of the Town” newsletter introduced KiWe Video Productions, a high-definition video production company specializing in video commercials. This month, the Downtown Management Board is pleased to announce an introductory advertising opportunity matching downtown merchants with two downtown video production companies.
Business owners Justin Caine of Good Time Communications and Kraig Westfall of KiWe Video Productions (located within the East Lansing Technology Innovation Center) have teamed up to offer the production of 20 “Biz Vidz” videos. For those of you who have never heard of a “Biz Vidz” before, we’ve provided you with a little information.
What’s a Biz Vidz? It’s a one- to three-minute video commercial developed to market the assets of your individual businesses. The “Biz Vidz” often includes interviews with business owners and customers, as well as video footage of the company.
What do you do with a “Biz Vidz”? Once the video is produced, post it on your Web site, YouTube, Google Video or any other social networking site to share and distribute with existing and potential customers.
There is a special introductory cost of $850 per video. Normally, the cost per “Biz Vidz” video is $1,600. The Downtown Management Board has committed to contributing $200 toward the first five videos sold,--leaving a remaining cost of $650 for the business.
Materials are available at the Planning & Community Development Office at City Hall, 410 Abbot Road. You can also reach Kraig Westfall at (517) 974-0356 or Amy Schlusler at (517) 319-6931 for more information. Please click onto the links below to view some “Biz Vidz” that have already been created.
Links to “Biz Vidz” videos:
The Michigan Small Business & Technology Center Development Center offers FREE business planning tools to downtown businesses. Please call (517) 483-1981 or visit the center’s Web site at www.misbtdc.org/region8 to learn about special services being offered within the greater Lansing area.
Upcoming Seminars: Feb.11: “Starting a Business” - Lansing Community College Feb. 12: “Writing a Business Plan” - CADL South Lansing Library Feb.18: “Evening with the Experts” - Lansing Community College