Jackie Thomas of
the Duneland Chamber of Commerce gave a presentation on plans for Food Truck
Square at the Burns Harbor Redevelopment Commission meeting Wednesday night.
Thomas, who directs
the European Market in Chesterton, discussed how the Chamber plans to
reinvent the European market for Food Truck Square, and she presented a new
logo that combines elements of the Food Truck Square and European Market
logos.
Thomas also
presented a plan to find sponsorships to offset the cost of materials and
live music for FTS activities. She noted that live music has been successful
at the European Market, and the Chamber plans to bring that to FTS. “Live
music is a huge draw for families, and that’s something to keep in mind when
we book music,” Thomas said. “We want it to be very family friendly.”
Burns Harbor
businesses will be approached first for all sponsorships, Thomas added.
The Commission
approved the budget for FTS not to exceed $20,000. FTS is coming close to
paying for itself, as this year’s projected income is around $18,000.
Financial Incentive
Plan
In other business,
Dan Botich of SEH came before the Council to deliver a finalized version of
the business incentive plan that will hopefully bring more development and
commerce to Burns Harbor. Botich said that part of the document serves as a
public resource that can be made available to developers and put on the Town
website. His plan also outlines a “coordinated focused strategy” to identify
interested developers and match them with unused land in Town.
The Commission
approved the plan. Botich said his next steps are to conduct a business
expansion and retention analysis of Burns Harbor and form a local economic
alliance forum so developers and local businesses can communicate amongst
themselves. These goals have a deadline of June 30.
Reorganization
The Commission
elected officers for 2018. Marcus Rogala will remain President. Kevin Tracy
will be Vice-President, and Eric Hull will be Secretary.
Workshop
The RDC will be
holding a workshop at 1200 N. Boo Road at 6 p.m. March 28 at 6 to go over
its plans for the next five years. The public is welcome to attend with
comments and questions.