Monroe Main Street's Promotion Committee was featured for its creation of the Cinco de Mayo celebration. The Design Committee was featured for its "Walking Tour of Downtown Monroe," with a brochure highlighting the character and story behind 11 historic buildings in the Main Street District.
Monroe Main Street community reinvestments, including five public improvements, 12 building rehabilitations, five building sales, six new businesses and 10 new jobs, tallied $901,534.
Main Street Director Barb Nelson said the total public and private investment was an impressive gain compared to the previous year's "few thousand dollars."
Supreme Trailers is planning to open April 1 at 1723 11th St. The new business is run by Nico and JD Leonard of Brodhead. According to JD, the molded fiber-glass trailers can be used to haul "millions of things."
"With the price of gas, families are driving smaller cars and need the extra room," he said.
The six-foot long, enclosed trailer can hold skis, hunting equipment, baggage, strollers and toys. The durable, gel-coat surface is scratch-resistant and non-fading.
A variety of available vinyl decals adds a sporty look to the tag-along. And while the standard manufacturing color is white, custom colors can be special ordered.
The Leonards plan to market the aero-dynamic trailers directly from their Monroe shop during regular business hours 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, but are working also to establish dealerships throughout the country.
After 16 years of growth and expansion in the concrete and landscaping business, Dave and Laura Pluss, owners of D. P. Concrete and Landscaping Inc., Albany, decided to scale back to a smaller family business. Dave and his brother Randy are running the job sites, with more hands-on attention to ensure high-quality work.
According to Laura, Dave had a great desire to get more involved with community work. Today he volunteers with Albany's EMS and has become a school board member. Dave and Laura volunteer at their church. Dave teaches confirmation classes and is a confirmation mentor.
Randy Pluss has been with the company for nine years. Growing up together on a farm, the brothers learned well how to work together, Randy said. So now, both brothers may be on a job site.
"We're not just leaving it to employees," he said.
The company continues to offer all aspects of landscaping services, complete concrete services and snow removal.
- Tere Dunlap is a reporter for The Monroe Times. She can be reached at tdunlap@themonroetimes.com.