Happy spring everyone! I, like many of you, was wondering if this winter would ever end! Thankfully, with a little patience and some local distractions, we have waited out winter and are ready to tackle the wonderful season ahead of us. Somehow, I always pair spring and Easter together and maybe with the late Easter this year, I have just dealt with winter. For those of you in the midst of cleaning and rebuilding from the recent floods, I send my support. I had a flooded basement several years back and we lost everything we had stored. This was well before I realized the power of Rubbermaid containers. I will always store my basement items in plastic crates from now on. Not that flooding is a fun thing to have to deal with but all those people affected by the floods along with the rest of us will need to start planning home improvement projects. We are in it together.
That leads me to my next topic. We have been very busy putting the details together in preparations for the 2019 State Line Home & Business Expo. Each year, the best businesses come together to bring the state line the newest products and services. Spring has been eagerly awaited and planning and budgeting for home improvements is part of this transition in to spring. With a focus on home improvement, sales and restorations naturally taking the lead in our Expo, customers get to hear straight from the experts on the latest trends and innovations that will make life much more satisfying in the state line region. We have always tried to bring new and exciting elements to the expo. This year alone we are seeing 20 new businesses at our Expo that will be joining our well established field of local companies.
We have a wonderful relationship with the SLICE arena located at 1632 4th Avenue West. The SLICE Arena is the largest venue available in Monroe and it serves dual purposes. Once the hockey season ends the SLICE arena quickly switches gears and gets utilized for its secondary purpose, as an exhibition hall, and gets used for multiple events throughout the year.
We are happy that we are once again offering a youth play area. This is a great chance for kids and parents to blow off some steam in the bounce house, build some cool stuff a take in some quality time together. This has really brought a family friendly element to the Expo. We are so fortunate to be working with the Monroe Junior Optimists as they donate their time to keep everyone one safe. Of course, we could not do this without the sponsorship from Monroe Clinic SSM Health.
We are featuring local wine, beer and cheese companies this year. We are going to set up an ice “back yard” lounge where people can stop in and sample and buy some great cheese, wine and beer. Who doesn’t like beer and cheese and tools and trucks!
If you have not stopped out in recent years, make sure to check things out this year. We have local contractors that are the right match for your project. Meet them face to face and hire locally. We make things as convenient as we possibly can! There will be plenty to see and do.
The expo is held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 6 and from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, April 7. As always, the Expo is free for the public to attend. This year we are asking attendees to help us out by making a donation to the Green County Humane Society. Stop by the Green County Leaders booth and make a donation of cash or anything on their wish list.
I can‘t thank the countless people and organizations that make sure the State Line Home and Business Expo comes together every year. Mark your calendar and make your life easier. Come in to the 2019 Home and Business Expo April 6-7. I look forward to seeing you there! Remember shop local, hire local.
— Melissa Even is the executive director for the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
