Forward Janesville - TheReport - Third Quarter 2019

6 • W W W . F O R W A R D J A N E S V I L L E . C O M Just over a year ago, Forward Janesville undertook a comprehensive strategic planning process. Our staff, board of directors, key community stakeholders and many Forward Janesville members took a 360 degree look at our organization and the things we do. The process yielded five areas of focus: membership, government relations, community partnerships, economic development, and workforce development. When it comes to government relations, my goal is to apply our successful federal and state lobbying model to local issues. After all, what issues get people the most fired up? Local issues: property tax levies, street resurfacing, sidewalks, backyard chickens, you name it—things that are happening right here in Janesville and Rock County. Forward Janesville does a lot of work at city hall, the school district headquarters and the county courthouse, and we are going to spend more time telling you about it and why it matters to you and your business. LOCAL MATTERS Dan Cunningham • Vice President of Government Affairs and Education • danc@forwardjanesville.com HOUSING DEVELOPMENT A year ago, we partnered with the city to host a summit to address the city’s housing challenges. We have since urged city leaders to take a proactive approach to residential development, and they have taken some important steps in the right direction. Shortly after the summit, the city council voted to extend TIF incentives for residential projects in areas outside of downtown that are zoned to allow apartment buildings. This has led to significant new multifamily developments that will be underway soon, including a 260-unit development near Racine Street and Interstate 39/90 and a 115-unit multifamily development on the former youth baseball diamonds on Woodman Road. Why this Matters to You and Your Business: Simply put, residential development must catch up to economic development for our city to prosper. Janesville needs diverse and innovative housing options that will serve all community members. SOUTH-SIDE DEVELOPMENT Janesville City Council member Jim Farrell recently called a meeting of area grocers, south side merchants and community partners regarding ways to encourage development (grocery store or otherwise) on the city’s south side. The group’s first meeting focused on efforts to attract a grocer to the south side. Since the Pic and Save closure, the city has contacted several grocers about a south side presence, to no avail. The truth is that economic development professionals can only do so much to entice a certain kind of business to town. We get this a lot: “why don’t you guys get a (insert business name here) in Janesville? Believe me, if it worked that way, there would be a Whole Foods on Center Avenue. (And maybe a Dave & Buster’s.) Businesses have dozens of metrics they study before deciding where to locate, and sometimes the numbers don’t work. That’s not to say there will never be another grocery store on the south side. We will certainly keep trying! Why this Matters to You and Your Business: For our city to succeed, all parts of it must be healthy and vibrant. A rising tide lifts all boats! HOMELESS PARKING PLANS Perhaps this summer’s hottest topic was a proposal to allow homeless individuals and families with a vehicle to park overnight in a city park or facility. The initial proposal identified Palmer Park as the preferred location, which led to significant controversy. Several other sites were considered before the city council established a pilot program at Traxler Park. This was a tough issue, as we had members on both sides. However, this was an example of an issue where we didn’t have to take a position to provide members with value. Forward Janesville staff was in contact with the city council and shared the concerns of our members—both pro and con—with council members. Forward Janesville strives to have an impact on these and other policies that shape our community. Why this Matters to You and Your Business: This matters because we all live and work here. As Janesville continues to grow, handling issues like this with empathy and common sense is vital. Maintaining a safe and compassionate community that takes care of all its citizens is good for our community brand and good for business. LIQUOR LAWS We have heard from a few members who are concerned that state liquor laws put small wineries at a competitive disadvantage. For example, non-profit organizations can hold only two events per year during which they can serve wine, while the number of events where they can serve beer is essentially unlimited. Think about Business After Fives—how often do our hosts serve wine? Not very often. This is another tough issue, as it affects a lot of our members: large distributors, grocery and convenience stores, bars and restaurants, wineries and breweries, wedding and event venues, and non-profits who have fundraisers. Wisconsin’s laws governing the selling and serving of alcohol are a patchwork quilt of confusion. Our Government Relations Council is researching the issue, and hope to make common sense recommendations to state officials soon. Why this Matters to You and Your Business: This is another ‘rising tide lifts all boats’ situation. If some of the regulations governing wineries and distilleries were relaxed, they would start popping up like dandelions. Craft breweries, wineries and distilleries = a cool community, and cool communities attract visitors with dollars to spend. HERE ARE SOME OF THE LOCAL ISSUES WE ARE WORKING ON: I would love to hear your thoughts on these issues or anything else that’s on your mind. Contact me at (608) 757-3160 or danc@forwardjanesville.com .