Eric Bartkus Lowell City Council

I want to keep Lowell attractive to both new and existing businesses. We have many excellent retail and service establishments that really make Lowell a desirable destination. We have excellent restaurants, boutiques, car dealers, shopping and many others. The city council can help existing businesses and appeal to those starting out by:

-trying to lower our tax millage (when it becomes possible, see Promise 12)

-keeping Lowell Light and Power rates reasonable

-keeping our water/sewer rates reasonable (see Promise 8)

-contributing to the Chamber of Commerce activities to help businesses

New Ideas

A couple of ideas to consider for helping new businesses and to bring people downtown:

1)Copy Muskegon’s success and add small pop-up shops to the field by the library during summer and Christmas time. Muskegon’s Western Market started in 2018 as a way to bring more people downtown and also help new businesses. It comprises 17 small heated buildings (easily movable) that fill a vacant lot. Rents for the season range from $1300 to $2400. DDA money could be used for construction/purchase as well as pursuing state MEDC grants. I envision this would be the “goto” location before and after the Thursday night concerts and for summer arts/crafts shows. Another location to consider for pop-up shops include the Recreation Park (former fairgrounds).

2)Allow short term rental use of Recreation Park for arts and crafts shows, music concerts, Renaissance festivals and other weekend events that bring people to town.

I promise to help the council do whatever possible to support our current and new business owners.