MONROE - The city and the Chamber of Commerce are attempting to put pressure on Menards to move ahead with its proposed megastore in Monroe.
Mayor Ron Marsh explained to a packed banquet room at The Roadhouse in Monroe on Wednesday that the company's project is on hold. He said the City of Monroe and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry are contacting businesses about purchasing one or more of the 12 lots of commercial and retail space also on the site of the proposed home supply store. Marsh said he hopes the effort convinces Menards to build.
"That's the back door," the mayor said.
Marsh and Chamber Director Pam Christopher have contacted several retail businesses about the available lots, Marsh said, while some businesses have contacted the city and the Chamber about land availability.
The two Monroe groups are encouraging interested businesses to contact Menards directly, Marsh said.
In addition to smaller retail businesses expressing interest in the sites, he added that Menards' direct competitors in the home supply market have contacted the city inquiring about when Menards is going to get moving on the new store.
"They are saying 'if Menards isn't going to (come), we are,'" Marsh said.
To help combat the impact of the declining retail economy in the Monroe area, Christopher explained that a change in business recruitment, like the one employed with Menards, is essential.
"It's not a time anymore where you wait for businesses to contact you," she said.
Marsh's question-and-answer session Wednesday followed a presentation on the progress of the new Green County Justice Center being built on Monroe's northeast side. The center is scheduled to open in September.
Both presentations were part of the Chamber's first City/County Breakfast Update. Christopher is planning additional breakfasts with state and possibly federal elected officials over the summer, she told the group.
In other discussion, Marsh squarely and repeatedly warned downtown businesses to band together and market themselves immediately before the major reconstruction project hinders access to their storefronts on the Square.
Marsh suggested businesses clean up areas outside alternative entrances, like back alleys, and for the downtown businesses to market as a group.
"It's up to them to bite that bullet," he said.
Mayor Ron Marsh explained to a packed banquet room at The Roadhouse in Monroe on Wednesday that the company's project is on hold. He said the City of Monroe and the Monroe Chamber of Commerce and Industry are contacting businesses about purchasing one or more of the 12 lots of commercial and retail space also on the site of the proposed home supply store. Marsh said he hopes the effort convinces Menards to build.
"That's the back door," the mayor said.
Marsh and Chamber Director Pam Christopher have contacted several retail businesses about the available lots, Marsh said, while some businesses have contacted the city and the Chamber about land availability.
The two Monroe groups are encouraging interested businesses to contact Menards directly, Marsh said.
In addition to smaller retail businesses expressing interest in the sites, he added that Menards' direct competitors in the home supply market have contacted the city inquiring about when Menards is going to get moving on the new store.
"They are saying 'if Menards isn't going to (come), we are,'" Marsh said.
To help combat the impact of the declining retail economy in the Monroe area, Christopher explained that a change in business recruitment, like the one employed with Menards, is essential.
"It's not a time anymore where you wait for businesses to contact you," she said.
Marsh's question-and-answer session Wednesday followed a presentation on the progress of the new Green County Justice Center being built on Monroe's northeast side. The center is scheduled to open in September.
Both presentations were part of the Chamber's first City/County Breakfast Update. Christopher is planning additional breakfasts with state and possibly federal elected officials over the summer, she told the group.
In other discussion, Marsh squarely and repeatedly warned downtown businesses to band together and market themselves immediately before the major reconstruction project hinders access to their storefronts on the Square.
Marsh suggested businesses clean up areas outside alternative entrances, like back alleys, and for the downtown businesses to market as a group.
"It's up to them to bite that bullet," he said.