From: Emilie Schada [webmaster@plainwell.org]
Sent: Thursday, May 21, 2009 10:45 AM
To: eschada@plainwell.org
Subject: City of Plainwell Newsletter
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March Newsletter
March 2008 - Vol 2, Issue 2
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The City of Plainwell welcomes you! Included in our newsletters you will find information ranging from our local business, City Hall news, and other events that impact our community.


After just over one year of acquiring the Plainwell Paper Mill, the City of Plainwell is currently planning a second public meeting for March 11 at 6 pm at the Plainwell Community Center. The purpose of this meeting is to present to the public the findings from professional design studio Hopkins & Burns' "Feasibility Report on the Plainwell Paper Mill's Historic Campus and Surrounding Site." The Hopkins & Burns team will present summaries of their architectural and structural assessments of the mill's buildings, while taking into account mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, the Michigan Building Code and accessibility issues. Their goal was to ascertain the best possible uses for the mill buildings through a balance of preservation, current needs and open space.

For over 100 years, the Plainwell Paper Mill has been a significant contributor to Plainwell's economy, culture, and history. Realizing the potential opportunity in what the mill's reuse holds for Plainwell's future, the city's purchase of the mill in August of 2006 signaled its commitment to the community's future. This public meeting will be the next of several opportunities to engage the public in the mill's redevelopment. The meeting on March 11 at 6 pm will be held on the first floor of the Plainwell Community Center, 798 E. Bridge Street. Please call City Hall at 685-6821 with questions. If you are unable to attend the meeting, a summary will be made available on the City of Plainwell's website, www.plainwell.org.

Both of Plainwell's manufacturers and distributors of homemade ice cream will be opening their doors for yet another season on Saturday, March 1!

Whether you've spent the winter "in training" with your own personal gallons of ice cream prepping yourself to finally face-off Dean's notorious "Monster," or you'd like to see for yourself why Plainwell Ice Cream was honored last year by the Kalamazoo Gazette as being one of the "Seven Wonders of Southwest Michigan," either way, both Dean's and Plainwell Ice Cream are ready to satisfy that sweet tooth of yours this spring and summer. Although there still might be snow on the ground, at least our ice cream cones won't melt!

Nancy's Kitchen, located next to Plainwell Ice Cream at 615 E. Bridge, has been delivering and catering nutritious, home-cooked meals to the community for just over a year. Because of Nancy's success and increased demand, an expansion was in order. As another great addition to Plainwell's eating establishments, Nancy's Kitchen recently had a site plan approved by Plainwell's Planning Commission and City Council to modify the building to accomodate a traditional, sit-down restaurant area, and outdoor patio. What this means is that everyone can enjoy Nancy's delicious home-cooked meals in what Nancy plans on being a"cottage-style" dine-in restaurant that will seat approximately 30 people.

Nancy anticipates that their fairly simple remodel will be complete this April. Please join us in congratulating Nancy's Kitchen on what will be a great addition to their business and to the City of Plainwell.

The City of Plainwell's economy is fortunate to have a diverse array of businesses, many of which are located within the city's certified industrial park. As an incentive for these businesses to spur private investment, and to support their success in today's competitive economy, the City of Plainwell offers industrial park businesses the opportunity to apply for tax abatements per Public Act 198.

At a recent City Commission meeting, the City of Plainwell approved an "Industrial Facilities Tax Exemption Certificate" from TMD Machining, located at 751 Wakefield. TMD Machining needed additional space and equipment to allow for their continued growth in both the aerospace and medical fields. If the State of Michigan also approves TMD's application, this abatement would reduce the company's taxes on their $814,153 total investment in real and personal property. For instance, taxes on a 3,744 square foot addition will be reduced by 50% for twelve years, and personal taxes on equipment purchases in the amount of $622,707 will be reduced by 50% for six years.
TMD Machining employs 37 people and was established in 1995 to help meet the increasing need for on-time, quality, precision machined parts. As a result of their tax abatement, three existing jobs will be retained and four new jobs will be created.
Don't miss this event sponsored by Life Care Center of Plainwell and the Charles Ransom Library of Plainwell that will be sure to be valuable to seniors, family members and the community. The Expo will be held at Eesley Place Banquet Hall, 717 E. Bridge Street, Plainwell. Guest speaker will be Deanna House, a local celebrity food connoisseur regularly feautured in the Kalamazoo Gazette.

There will also be more than 20 vendors on -hand to give out door prizes, food, coffee, information on Senior issues, and of course fun!

Details:
March 26 at 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at Eesley Place.
While it's tough out there for both workers to find jobs and employers to find good help, the Michigan Works! Allegan AESA Agency will make the process a little bit easier for everybody during a Seasonal Job Fair on March 4, 2008 from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm at the Allegan Technical and Education Center.
Job seekers can expect to learn about seasonal employment positions available in the areas of camps, parks, agriculture, food processing, tourism and outdoor activities. At the same time, employers are able to form initial impressions immediately of applicants while talking about their business and needs, and collecting applications and resumes on the spot. The job fair is free to both job seekers and employers, but employers should reserve their booth by contacting Carol Ashley, Placement Specialist, at 269-686-5079.

The Michigan Works! system is a customer focused workforce development system that prepares people for work. Assistance to all employers and job seekers is available to ensure that employers are provided with a supply of skilled workers and individuals are provided with an opportunity to advance knowledge and skills to achieve economic self-sufficiency. The system is open to everyone interested in finding a worker, finding a job, or getting career information. The Allegan AESA agency is located at 2891-116th (M- 222) Avenue in Allegan, Michigan, and offers a wide range of employment, training, and career education services.
Plainwell business development organization, Prospectus Business Systems, has been involved in spearheading a new membership affiliation for local business owners, managers and business-to- business representatives appropriately called the Business Legacy Institute. "BLI" is a local organization that strengthens area businesses by offering seminars on topic important to local businesses and business development presentations to help businesses maintain, grow and protect their investments.

The Business Legacy Institute's "launch" event is titled, "What's Really Going on in Lansing," and will feature Charles Owens, Michigan State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB). Mr. Owens has been advocating the interests of small businesses in the Michigan Legislature for over 23 years.

Date: Thursday, March 6, 2008
Time: 3:00 to 4:30 pm
Location: Air Zoo, 6151 Portage Road, Portage, MI
Cost: This valuable program is FREE!
Light refreshments will be served.
Attend the program, and you'll receive a 20% discount on Air Zoo tickets!

Please RSVP by March 3 by calling 269.685.8701.
"Business Breakfast Talk" will be replacing the former Plainwell Merchant's meetings in a more informal setting conducive for networking. Please join area businesses for the first drop-in quarterly gathering to meet other businesses, learn about current business events in the area, and discuss various subjects.

Join us at Eesley Place Banquets, 717 E. Bridge Street on March 12, 2008.


Time: 7:30 am to 9:00 am

RSVP to the Plainwell Chamber, (269) 685-8877.
The City of Plainwell's Flower Program is gratefully accepting donations to help fund the beautiful plants and flowers that will adorn beds, baskets, and planters in the parks, bridges, and downtown area. The program's success depends on the generous gifts from the community, which we ask for by April 18, 2008. Contributions in treasure and time are appreciated, and for those wishing to help in a "hands on" manner, join us on the Planting Day on May 17, 8:30 am in Hicks Park. Doughnuts and refreshments will be provided for all volunteers.

Donations of $75.00 or more are eligible to receive a sponsorship plaque. Please indicate if you have any preferences of flowerbeds, and we will try to accomodate all requests.
Thank you for your support!
For Sale 2
Looking for a great place to buy or lease property for your business? Well, look for further--Plainwell has a number of hidden gems available right now! As you make your way through town, be sure to look for these unique properties.

Sincerely,


Emilie Schada, Economic Development Manager
City of Plainwell

phone: 269-685-6821

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City of Plainwell | 141 N. Main Street | Plainwell | MI | 49080