I can see that in the very near future! I live in Alexandria because I don’t like traffic jams, long waits in the line at the grocery or bank, and I can be anywhere and back in no-time-at-all! I don’t want that to change. However, I do want a grocery store, a bank, a video store and so on. If we don’t support what we have it won’t be here for us at all.

This is my vision for Alexandria…

We need a project that will make it possible to open several businesses at once and be certain they have the highest possibility to succeed. We need what is know as and “Anchor”, in other words, some reason to bring people downtown Alexandria.

In general, we tend to want our stores and shops to have everything and lots of convenient parking; therefore, retail businesses are not the best solution.

We need to provide a reason for people to consistently come to Alexandria.

With the many vacant buildings that we have downtown, all within walking distance of each other in conjunction with the desire to bring people consistently to downtown Alexandria… I propose that we develop a Community College.

By creating a community college geared toward entrepreneurship, we will bring an exciting group of individuals to our small town regularly, while offering affordable continuing education to our residents. The students will bring financial stability to our current businesses and other business opportunities will arise, bringing needed resources (money) from other communities necessary to revitalize our dying business district. Also, creating many jobs associated with operating a college.

By selectively choosing which empty buildings, throughout downtown, will be used for classrooms, administrative purposes, restaurants, a bookstore and other complimentary businesses, we will be able to control walking traffic to allow our current businesses enjoy the greatest benefit of all. New patrons!

Develop a strong economic development team, comprised of the successful business leaders (current and retired) to provide support and consultation to those businesses in Alexandria that are dedicated to improvement. There is nothing more beneficial then working with others that have a can do attitude!

By making available an advisory board of professionals to brainstorm, share thoughts and get feedback, our local businesses could take advantage of an unused resource, which in turn could provide exciting new concepts and ideas of how to better provide products and services to local residents and draw business from other markets as well. Pooling knowledge has always provided outstanding results when that is the goal. You simply can’t do it alone!

IMAGINE IF YOU WILL, LIVING IN A SMALL TOWN THAT IS.. "iNDIANA'S BEST KEPT LITTLE SECRET"

REVIVE HARRISON STREET

HELPING CURRENT BUSINESSES GROW AND PROFIT