Let's face it, the state and federal government isn't going to help us out of this mess so we'll have to do it together. I'm talking about the economic doldrums that we're in as a city and county. With no industrial businesses knocking on the county's door it's time to take advantage of what we have as a county as a whole and start cross promoting. If we continue to take the old Brave's adage of "Spahn and Sain and pray for rain" in regards to the business community we're hosed.
If Walmart or the leasing company are truly a friend to the community as they claim lets ask them to lease their vacant building to Monroe or the county for $1 a year. This would allow a private or public party to open a Family Center right here in Green County. Not to compete with the YMCA but a facility that might have indoor and outdoor miniature golf, batting cages, volleyball and games for the younger children, teens and adults alike. Keep the money in the county instead of heading to Freeport, Madison and Janesville.
We need to do a much better job of advertising. For instance, downtown Monroe had their streetscaping come to an end in the fall. After a tough summer with everything ripped up, the scheduling and advertising for the crucial holiday season was just horrendous. To then have the gall to say it wasn't all that bad as nobody went out of business is just sad commentary as to the leadership. Nobody went out of business? Don't you mean yet? And what kind of leadership and teamwork ability does that show?
Half the battle is getting customers and tourists into the county and this helps us all. More money means lower taxes. We should be cross promoting Monroe, Broadhead, New Glarus, Monticello, Albany and all the other towns in the county. I see far too many buses leaving town to go elsewhere to spend their money. Where are the buses coming into the county? We need to work with other cities and businesses in the tri-state area to make this happen, as sitting on our hands isn't going to do the job anymore. We need to showcase all that we have to offer as a vibrant community with old world charm that is family and business oriented.
It's great that we have Cheese Days, Wilhelm Tell Days and all the other local festivals. They bring in a fair amount of people and money but we need to bring in people each and every day. There is no reason why if a customer shops downtown Monroe why we can't suggest a shop on the west side of town or if it's a shop in New Glarus, Brodhead or Juda then so be it.
If Walmart or the leasing company are truly a friend to the community as they claim lets ask them to lease their vacant building to Monroe or the county for $1 a year. This would allow a private or public party to open a Family Center right here in Green County. Not to compete with the YMCA but a facility that might have indoor and outdoor miniature golf, batting cages, volleyball and games for the younger children, teens and adults alike. Keep the money in the county instead of heading to Freeport, Madison and Janesville.
We need to do a much better job of advertising. For instance, downtown Monroe had their streetscaping come to an end in the fall. After a tough summer with everything ripped up, the scheduling and advertising for the crucial holiday season was just horrendous. To then have the gall to say it wasn't all that bad as nobody went out of business is just sad commentary as to the leadership. Nobody went out of business? Don't you mean yet? And what kind of leadership and teamwork ability does that show?
Half the battle is getting customers and tourists into the county and this helps us all. More money means lower taxes. We should be cross promoting Monroe, Broadhead, New Glarus, Monticello, Albany and all the other towns in the county. I see far too many buses leaving town to go elsewhere to spend their money. Where are the buses coming into the county? We need to work with other cities and businesses in the tri-state area to make this happen, as sitting on our hands isn't going to do the job anymore. We need to showcase all that we have to offer as a vibrant community with old world charm that is family and business oriented.
It's great that we have Cheese Days, Wilhelm Tell Days and all the other local festivals. They bring in a fair amount of people and money but we need to bring in people each and every day. There is no reason why if a customer shops downtown Monroe why we can't suggest a shop on the west side of town or if it's a shop in New Glarus, Brodhead or Juda then so be it.
