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E-Dart Newsletter February 12nd 2010 What You Will Find… • Renaissance Zone program • “Downtown Dollars” shopping program • The Downtowners’ Rip-Roarin’ Ribfest sponsorships and booths available • Street Fair vendor applications for 2010 • Downtown Updates • Upcoming Events • Association News Renaissance Zone program details What is the Renaissance Zone…? According to the ND Department of Commerce’s website, “A Renaissance Zone can be a very important and beneficial tool for community redevelopment and economic investment if properly developed, implemented, and managed.” “A Renaissance Zone may be a defined geographical area of up to 20 contiguous blocks within a continual boundary. Such an area is typically in the central city consisting of residential and commercial properties that need to be revitalized and redeveloped to attract businesses and residents. The Act provides for certain types of tax exemptions and credits to encourage investment in these properties.” Bismarck’s Renaissance Zone has been largely successful in redevelopment for our downtown area. With roughly 200 jobs created, dozens of new businesses in the Zone, and over $20 million of private investments, this program is vitally important to the Bismarck community and the city center. If you are interested in pursuing a Renaissance Zone project or would like more information, contact Jason Tomanek at the Bismarck City Planners office: 701-355-1840 ------------------- “Downtown Dollars” shopping program Money to spend Downtown… Want to give a gift certificate you can use at more than one store? Downtown Dollars are gift certificates that are accepted at participating Downtown retailers. They make excellent gifts, prizes or incentives. Downtown Dollars come in $5, $10, $20 and $50. Use them to purchase goods or services at most downtown businesses. To buy Downtown Dollars, stop by the DBA office at 204 N 4th street or send a check or money order payable to Downtown Business Association to PO Box 521, Bismarck ND 58502. Allow 5 days for delivery. There are no additional fees. For more information contact the Downtowners at: Phone: 701-223-1958 Email: getit@downtownbismarck.com ------------------------ The Downtowners' 2010 Rip-Roaring Ribfest…It’s a mouthful! Sponsorships and booths now available… The Downtowners are now accepting sponsorships for Ribfest 2010. Contact the Downtowners office for sponsorship information, in-kind donations, or to volunteer and show support for your community. Sponsorships can range from $300 to Title Sponsorships. Get V.I.P. passes; promote your organization to thousands of Ribfest attendees, and much more…! Phone: 701-223-1958 Email: getit@downtownbismarck.com Website: www.bismarckribfest.com Volunteers are needed to make Ribfest a success. If your organization is fired up and wants to join the Ribfest fun, contact the Downtowners office at 223-1958. We are looking for volunteers to work at the gates, take tickets for the inflatable games, and help keep the venue clean and stocked for visitors. Look for updated information on Ribfest 2010 by going to www.bismarckribfest.com. ----------------------------- Downtowners' Street Fair 2010 DBA vendor applications mailed out… We are now accepting vendor applications. Please contact the Downtowners’ office if you haven’t received your application by February 10th and would like to participate. (continued) Phone: 701-223-1958 Email: getit@downtownbismarck.com Deadline for vendor applications is April 23rd. A late fee will be assessed after that date. 2010 dates for the annual Street Fair will be held September 17th & 18th 2010 in downtown Bismarck. ---------------------------- Downtown updates Brewpub news, City Commissioner not running, & RZA meeting… • A Bismarck brewer is looking to open a Brewpub in the Bismarck area. Mike Frohlich would like to be able to sell beer that is specially brewed on site for his newly proposed establishment. Current plans would have them opening sometime in the late summer. • City Commissioner Connie Sprynczynatyk will not seek re-election to the Bismarck City Commission. In 1990, Sprynczynatyk was the first woman elected to the Bismarck City Commission • Update from the Renaissance Zone Authority meeting 2/10/10: The Authority recommended two qualifying restrictions on the RZ program, their recommendation will now go on to the Bismarck City Commission for review. If the City Commission adopts the changes, persons who qualify for Renaissance Zone tax exemptions may not qualify for CORE incentive grants for the same property. It could work similarly in reverse; those qualifying for CORE incentive grants may be ineligible for Renaissance Zone benefits for a time period. In both scenarios, signage and Technical Assistant Bank grants could still be used. Actions/concerns on tax breaks were carried over to their next meeting, with much discussion on owner/lessee situations and the programs purpose. The next RZA meeting will be March 10 at 4:00 p.m. in the City/County building on 5th street. Two requests that were approved by the RZA at the same meeting were J2 Studios expansion and the popular sub shop Jimmy John’s in the former 3rd street Subway location. Both projects will move onto the state for approval. ---------------------------------- Upcoming Events What’s shakin’ Downtown… Valentines Day, Sunday February 14th- With Valentine’s Day this weekend, consider Downtown Bismarck in your plans! We have everything you could need for your sweetie. Jewelry, unique gift items, art, entertainment, flowers, pastries, restaurants, and much more! See what we have downtown… February 10th -14th “The Cemetery Club” at Dakota Stage. For tickets call: 701-258-4998 412 E Main February 13th, Saturday Patisserie on Fourth open. With Valentine’s Day on Sunday, “The Patisserie” will be open on Saturday for those last minute pastries for your Valentine! 118 N 4th St February 13th & 20th Beginning knitting class at cedesigns & Yarn Shoppe. The “Learn To Knit” class is taught in two class sessions and includes: a total of three hours of instruction, pattern, bamboo knitting needles and yarn. $40. Saturday, February 13 Session 1 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. Saturday & February 20 Session 2 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. Call Cheri at 701-471-2131 to register. 417 E Broadway (continued) February 2nd -27th African Soul, American Heart event at BAGA. 422 E Front Ave February 16th -27th The Big Sale at Modern Eyes! Exclusive designer eyewear for men and women on sale, 25% off. 3rd & Broadway February 16th -17th KFYR Radio Agri International Trade Show @ Bismarck Civic Center Exhibition Hall. 701-333-0311 February 19th -21st Bismarck Tribune Sports Show @ Bismarck Civic Center Exhibition Hall. 701-250-8221 February 23rd Death by Chocolate Radisson Hotel, Downtown Bismarck ---------------------------------- Downtowners’ Association news Welcome new members, renewal notices for 2010, DBA member surveys… Welcome to our newest Downtowners! Sam’s Club, McQuade Distributing, Dakota Community Bank, Prairie Independent, and Aspen Group. Please join us in welcoming these organizations to the Downtown Business Association. Thank you to everyone who has renewed their membership to the Downtowners. Your membership supports efforts to continue to make the Bismarck Downtown area flourish, advocate for membership, and continue to host popular community events. Membership second notices were sent out at the end of January. Please contact us if you haven not received your invoice. • Join the Downtowners on Facebook! Search for Downtown Business Association of Bismarck and get up to the minute Downtown news, plus qualify for special promotions! • Magic Photo Art print featured in Reminisce Magazine (pictured right). www.reminisce.com • As we move forward into 2010 the DBA will be asking their members to complete a few 10 question surveys. Organizations that complete the survey will qualify for $10 in Downtown Dollars. In order to qualify for prizes, you must identify your organization in the survey. Our first survey is up and ready to go! Follow this link to begin: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2FLLNNH • Volunteers are needed to help removed snowflake lights downtown! Take-down usually lasts one hour. Please contact Dawn at the Downtowners if you’re interested. 701-223-1958. Thanks! • Please send all member business news and events to: kate@downtownbismarck.com and we will try our best to get the information out to members and on our website. Any new services, sales you’re having, events you’re hosting, employee news, awards, promotions, and anything else you can think of. We also encourage you to send pictures along (preferably a JPEG with good resolution). • Check the Downtown Business Association’s website for updated news and events. www.downtownbismarck.com Please forward this on to people interested in Downtown news! www.downtownbismarck.com ------------------------------------
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