MLBAcares.org

Adopt A Pot and help keep LakeTown Landing beautiful!

mboetger — Fri, 11 May 2012 19:12:47 +0000

The Moses Lake Business Association (MLBA) is requesting your support in adopting flower pots in LakeTown Landing.

The history of the flower pots in our downtown dates back to 2007 when 60 medium and 8 large planters were purchased by MLBA and placed, at this time the pots were planted, water, fertilized and cleaned by volunteers. Also included are the planter boxes at the end of Ash St., Cedar St. and below the Monte Holm mural and around the Rotary clock.

In 2008 70 additional pots were purchased and in 2009 the Moses Lake High School students got involved in the project. The students grow, plant and remove the plants at the end of the season. MLBA continues this partnership with the FFA students and now hires someone to water all the pots on a daily basis.

The Moses Lake Business Association would like to partner with the community to keep the flower pots in LakeTown Landing full of beautiful flowers. For only $100 you or your business or group can Adopt A Pot for the 2012 growing season. This cost covers the costs of preparing the pots, the plants for the pots, planting, watering and maintenance for the entire 2012 growing season. To thank you for your support MLBA will place an engraved plaque on a pot, as well as recognize you in their monthly newsletter, on their website (www.mlbacares.org) and on their Facebook page(s). You can Adopt A Pot by contacting the MLBA office at 764-1745 or go to their website and pay via PayPal or credit card.

Marianne Kirwan, Executive Director of the Moses Lake Business Association says, “The LakeTown Landing Flower Pot Project really beautifies our downtown shopping core. The MLHS FFA students will begin preparing for planting soon and the flowers which they have been growing will be planted before Memorial Day in time for Moses Lake Spring Festival. In a recent survey the overwhelming response from both the public and the merchants is that they increase the curb appeal of LakeTown Landing and they like having them. With you support we can keep this fantastic project in our downtown.”

Candi Jaeger, MLBA President, says, “I love to drive down Third Avenue when the flowers are in bloom and the banners are flying. It makes all the hard work that MLBA and the community members do worth it. I will personally be adopting a pot and I invite others to do so too!”

MLBA’s goal is to improve the economic development of the Moses Lake business community through organization, promotion, design, and economic restructuring. We are here to support our downtown shopping district, LakeTown Landing. With gas prices on the rise let’s figure out how we can encourage our residents to Shop Moses Lake First!

The Moses Lake Business Association (MLBA) is a non-profit organization formed in 1993 by interested Moses Lake citizens. The purpose of the organization is to stimulate economic development in the Moses Lake business district called LakeTown Landing and to promote the area as an exciting place to live, shop, work and play. The MLBA also seeks to maintain a healthy business community and a high quality of life. MLBA is a member of the Washington State Downtown Revitalization Program. It is currently seeking to obtain Main Street Program status, which will benefit the organization by qualifying for state and national funding for programs and projects. The four components of this program are design, economic restructuring, promotion and organization.

To contact the Moses Lake Business Association you can call 509-764-1745 or visit their website at www.mlbacares.org. You can also become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/mlbacares or www.facebook.com/LakeTownLanding.

Click here to Adopt A Pot.

Thanks for helping to clean up LakeTown Landing!

mboetger — Thu, 10 May 2012 19:15:28 +0000

The Moses Lake Business Association once again participated in the City Wide Cleanup Saturday, May 5th. The effort began at 6 am. The crews walked the LakeTown Landing area picking up trash and other items. Thanks to all our volunteers for your hands, we couldn’t do what we do without all the wonderful volunteers.

Reid Baker, Roger Mar, John Cole, LeRoyce Ethington, Steven Fuhriman, Frank Bruneel, Bruce Hirz, Darrell Bifano, Delbert Goodrich, Garret Jenkins, Brett Bergeson, DJ Berezay, Don Blackman, Gordon Beeman, Vern Hellewell, Jasmyne DeBeaumont, Michaelle Boetger, Jeremy Boetger, Bill Ecret & Marianne Kirwan.

Program Development Consultant Needed

mboetger — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:41:09 +0000

The Moses Lake Business Association is looking to add a Program Development Consultant to their team. To be successful the candidate must be a strong salesperson, possessing the ability to negotiate and be an excellent oral and written communicator. The successful candidate will build and maintain relations and inspire others. Current relationships with Moses Lake businesses and experience in grant writing are a plus. Hours are flexible and part-time. To be considered for this position, please send cover letter and resume to director@mlbacares.org.

MLBA Plans Quarterly Nite Out for members & LakeTown Landing businesses on April 17th, 2012

mboetger — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 18:00:49 +0000

If you are a Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Contributor, a MLBA Member, a LakeTown Landing business owner or interested in membership, you are invited to attend the Moses Lake Business Association’s Quarterly Nite Out.

Come and join us for networking, hors d’oeuvres and drinks on Tuesday, April 17th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at MLBA’s conference room in Desert Plaza at Third & Alder in LakeTown Landing.

The featured speaker for the evening is Allan Peterson of the Small Business Development Center. Allan Peterson is the Certified Business Advisor at the Center for Business and Industry Services located on the campus of Big Bend Community College in the Advance Technologies Education Center (ATEC). He serves businesses in Grant, Adams and portions of Lincoln counties. Allan provides confidential no charge counseling to start ups and existing businesses. He received his BSBA degree in Business Administration from the University of North Dakota. He has 26 years of management experience in chain drugstore operations where he developed strategic business marketing and planning skills in urban and rural markets. It’ll be a talk you won’t want to miss!

RSVP by April 12th for your chance to win a number of prizes from local businesses such business signage from SignsNow ($525 value), advertising in VENUE Magazine ($700 value), graphic design & buesiness cards from Michaelle Boetger Graphic Designs ($125 value), a pair of Mariner’s Tickets plus parking from KWIQ and advertising in Tidbits Newspaper ($150 value). We also have prizes from KDRM/KBSN, Northland Cable and more! You can register online at www.mlbacares.org.

MLBA elects new Board of Directors

mboetger — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:28:12 +0000

The Moses Lake Business Association (MLBA) voted on their new Board of Directors at their recent MLBA Nite Out.

Candi Jaeger, Director of The Prosperity Center was elected President; Jasmyne DeBeaumont of the Moses Lake Chamber of Commerce was elected Vice-President; Michaelle Boetger, owner of Michaelle Boetger Graphic Designs, was elected Secretary; and Stroud Kunkle, owner of Sutter, Kunkle and Thompson, will continue his position as Treasurer.

Other officers elected to the MLBA Board of Directors include, Dustyn Mattes, Past President; Vern Hellewell; Bill Ecret of KDRM/KBSN & Ecret Entertainment and Bob Richardson of the Columbia Basin Herald.

“Since 1984, the Washington State Main Street Program has been helping communities revitalize the economy, appearance, and image of their downtown commercial districts using the successful Main Street Approach™. Main Street is a comprehensive, incremental approach to revitalization built around a community’s unique heritage and attributes. Using local resources and initiative, the state program helps communities develop their own strategies to stimulate long term economic growth and pride in the heart of the community downtown,” states www.choosewashington.com/business/grow/downtown.

Marianne Kirwan, Executive Director of the MLBA, says, “I am looking forward to working with the new Board of Directors and Officers as we press forward with the goals, initiatives and projects currently in place and make way for new and exciting things to come.”

The Moses Lake Business Association (MLBA) is a non-profit organization formed in 1993 by interested Moses Lake citizens. The purpose of the organization is to stimulate economic development in the Moses Lake business district called LakeTown Landing and to promote the area as an exciting place to live, shop, work and play. The MLBA also seeks to maintain a healthy business community and a high quality of life. MLBA is a member of the Washington State Downtown Revitalization Program. It is currently seeking to obtain Main Street Program status, which will benefit the organization by qualifying for state & national funding for programs and projects. The four components of this program are design, economic restructuring, promotion & organization.

To contact the Moses Lake Business Association you can call 509-764-1745 or visit their website at www.mlbacares.org. Become a fan of MLBACares.org and LakeTown Landing on Facebook.

(left to right) Jasmyne DeBeaumont, Candi Jaeger, Michaelle Boetger,

Bill Ecret, Stroud Kunkle, Vern Hellewell and Bob Richardson.

Members & LakeTown Landing businesses attend MLBA Nite Out

mboetger — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 18:23:39 +0000

Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Contributors, MLBA Members, LakeTown Landing business owners and those interested in the Moses Lake Business Association attended the Moses Lake Business Association’s Quarterly Nite Out on Tuesday, February 21^st.

There was networking, hors d’oeuvres and wine tasting by Camas Cove Cellars in MLBA’s conference room in Desert Plaza at Third & Alder in LakeTown Landing.

The featured speaker for the evening was Patrick Malone (MS/PCED) WSU Extension Service Community Vitality and Columbia Area Asset Building Team Member. Patrick is passionate about small business and their importance in our communities. He spoke about the benefits of working with other businesses, cross promotions and more. He touched on topics all business owners could relate too and told the group of 50 attendees to think larger than they are, being a part of a group such as the MLBA gives businesses and even larger voice and presence in the community. It’s about the “experience” of downtown and shopping local and not about individual businesses. Creating strategic business partnerships with other businesses and how these partnership come into play on a day-to-day basis makes businesses stronger. Patrick says, “Businesses need to build a cohesive puzzle, don’t just be an isolated piece (an integrated network of businesses performing together.”

Patrick also touched on the idea that small business is not sales based, small business is customer service based. How can we partner with our other local businesses and create value added incentives, share referrals and drive business between our businesses? It’s about building these relationships with each other than makes the community stronger.

Patrick currently teaches the “Starting Your Own Business” workshop put on by The Prosperity Center. In his class of business entrepreneurs and those looking to freshen up their business skills he encourages them to have $0 startup costs, he suggests doing this by looking beyond purchasing items but using the bartering system. Because cash flow is a challenge to all businesses it’s worth taking a second look at how you can barter. For example, bartering with a local furniture store for a display in your store, thus making everything for sale, driving traffic to the furniture store and then in turn they can give your business name out as a referral as well.

The evening concluded with prize giveaways donated by area businesses. The prize winners were: Stephanie Voigt (Cornfusion Gourmet Popcorn) winning the full-page ad from The Columbia Basin Herald & Royal Register; Joey Hernandez (Inland Cellular) winning a full-page ad in VENUE Magazine; Cindy Alporque (Essentials Skin & Wellness Center) winning radio spots from KWIQ-Country 100.3; LuAnn Hayford (Furniture Center) winning graphic design and business cards from Michaelle Boetger Graphic Designs; and Jenelle Ottmar (SocialBasin.com) winning a gift basket from Inland Cellular.

Thanks to all our sponsors for making this event possible. The next quarterly MLBA Nite Out is scheduled for Tuesday, April 17^th from 5:30-7:30pm at Desert Plaza (Third & Alder) in LakeTown Landing. If you area Main Street Tax Credit Incentive Contributor, MLBA Member, LakeTown Landing business owner or interested in the Moses Lake Business Association you are invited to attend this event. For more information check out our website, sign up for our monthly e-newsletter or become a fan of MLBAcares.org on Facebook.

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Patrick Malone Patrick Malone (MS/PCED) WSU Extension Service Community Vitality and Columbia Area Asset Building Team Member speaks to attendees of the MLBA Nite Out.

The prize winners were: (left to right) Jenelle Ottmar (SocialBasin.com) winning a gift basket from Inland Cellular; ; LuAnn Hayford (Furniture Center) winning graphic design and business cards from Michaelle Boetger Graphic Designs; Cindy Alporque (not shown, accepting is Rebekah McCabe (Essentials Skin & Wellness Center) winning radio spots from KWIQ-Country 100.3; Stephanie Voigt (Cornfusion Gourmet Popcorn) winning the full-page ad from The Columbia Basin Herald & Royal Register; and Joey Hernandez.

MLBA Plans Quarterly Nite Out for members & LakeTown Landing businesses

mboetger — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 19:09:20 +0000

Come and join us for networking, hors d’oeuvres and drinks on Tuesday, February 21st from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at MLBA’s conference room in Desert Plaza at Third & Alder in LakeTown Landing.

The featured speaker for the evening is Patrick Malone (MS/PCED) WSU Extension Service Community Vitality and Columbia Area Asset Building Team Member. Patrick is passionate about small business and their importance in our communities. He’ll be speaking about the benefits of working with other businesses, cross promotions and more – all on a shoestring budget. It’ll be a talk you won’t want to miss!

RSVP by February 13^th for your chance to win a number of prizes from local businesses such as a full-page ad from The Columbia Basin Herald & Royal Register (valued at $3300), a full-page ad in VENUE Magazine (valued at $700) & 1000 business cards & graphic design from Michaelle Boetger Graphic Designs (valued at $125) and from KWIQ-Country 100.3 a 15-second radio spot inside a 60-second commercial which encourages listeners to shop locally in Moses Lake (value $125). You can register online at www.mlbacares.org.

Moses Lake Business Association’s 17th Annual Holiday Lighted Agricultural Appreciation Parade & Street Party is scheduled for Friday, December 2nd

mboetger — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 00:05:56 +0000

November 28, 2011 – Moses Lake, Washington. Moses Lake is proud of its location in the heartland of the Northwest’s most diversified agricultural region. The Moses Lake Agricultural Appreciation Parade pays tribute to Moses Lake’s agricultural heritage…past, present and future! Those that participate light up their farm equipment or float, saddle up the horses, and bring everything down to Third Avenue in LakeTown Landing. Along with the parade is a street party featuring many local organizations.

The event features entertainment in Sinkiuse Square from 5 – 7 pm including the Frontier Middle School Cheerleaders, Zumba Demonstration, Rock’n B Cloggers, and the MLHS Drill Team. There will be free hayrides, the Toys for Tots Toy drive is sponsored by Q Country 100.3 KWIQ and the US Marine Corps and KWIQ will be broadcasting live from 4 to 6 pm., photos with Santa, Free Kangaroo Bounce House on Ash Steet, the LakeTown Landing Scavenger Hunt, LakeTown Landing merchants will be open late for holiday shoppers, and of course the main event is the lighted parade.

Marianne Kirwan, Executive Director for the Moses Lake Business Association, says “We start planning for this event back in September. It’s a holiday tradition for Moses Lake and LakeTown Landing. The merchants look forward to the crowds and we’re able to put on an event where many groups, organizations and individuals can benefit. What started as an appreciation to our agriculture and cultural roots has turned into more and more holiday fun and an event for the whole family.”

MLBA Plans Quarterly Nite Out for members & LakeTown Landing businesses.

mboetger — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 22:50:25 +0000

Come and join us for networking, hors d’oeuvres and drinks on October 25th from 5:30 – 7:30 pm at MLBA’s conference room in Desert Plaza at Third & Alder in LakeTown Landing.

The featured speaker for the evening is Peggy Webster, her talk ‘Display & Designs for Bringing People in – use your store front & displays to keep ‘em coming back!’ will focus on window & store displays as well as the importance of customer service in your business.

Peggy will be doing a makeover for one lucky business owner, register by October 17^th to be qualified to win. If you don’t have a window or entry way in your business you can nominate another business for the make over. Another winner will be drawn at the Nite Out event. The first makeover will be done the morning of October 25^th and the second the morning of October 26^th. Don’t pass up this opportunity!

RSVP by October 17^th to be qualified to win a FREE window display makeover from Peggy Webster. Another winner will be drawn during the Nite Out event. RSVP online at www.mlbacares.org. ‘Click here’

The Main Street Tax Incentive Program keeps your B&O tax dollars local.

mboetger — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 23:58:32 +0000

September 12, 2011 – Moses Lake, Washington. Keeping our downtown thriving is a mission of the Moses Lake Business Association (MLBA) and keeping tax dollars local is one way of supporting this mission. Businesses can designate, through the state, to keep their B&O tax dollars right here in Moses Lake by requesting a tax credit be given to the Moses Lake Business Association.

MLBA gives businesses the opportunity to put their B&O tax dollars to work here in Moses Lake. These funds are then used to support the MLBA’s mission to improve the economic development of the Moses lake business community through organization, promotion, design and economic restructuring. In the past funds have been utilized for: banners hung in LakeTown Landing, kiosks, purchase and ongoing maintenance of flower pots, events in LakeTown Landing like the Annual Agricultural Parade, support of Spring Festival activities, Halloween Trick-or-Treating and so much more!

Many of Washington’s communities, like thousands of communities across the country, are using the National Main Street Center’s Main Street Approach™ effectively to address the complex and changing issues facing the downtown business environment. The Main Street Approach provides a flexible framework that puts the traditional assets of downtown, such as unique architecture and locally-owned businesses, to work as a catalyst for economic growth and community pride.

In 2006, MLBA worked with other revitalization programs across the state to introduce and help pass legislation creating a B&O Tax Credit Incentive Program for businesses investing in local downtown revitalization programs like ours.

If you make a contribution to MLBA before December 31, 2011: Your entire contribution may be deducted as advertising/promotion expense on your 2011 Federal Tax return. AND, 75% of your donation is returned to you via B&O tax credits in 2012.

In 2011, $1.5 million in tax credits are available statewide. MLBA can receive up to $133,333 in contributions. Approvals are given each year on a first-come, first-served basis as of January 1.

MLBA is pleased to offer you this opportunity to invest a portion of your B&O tax dollars in our community and simultaneously benefit your business. We hope that you will consider this unique opportunity. Contact your tax preparer or Stroud Kunkle, CPA at 509-765-4501, a local Main Street Tax Incentive Expert.

The entire community benefits from the work of the Moses Lake Business Association! The health of the central business district is at the very heart of the quality of life within our community. MLBA forges a partnership of merchants, business leaders, public officials, and residents to promote economic vitality, while preserving the recreational character of Moses Lake. A prosperous, attractive business district becomes the visible barometer of the well being of the entire community. This makes MLBA a vital concern for every citizen of our community.

Marianne Kirwan, Moses Lake Business Association Executive Director, says “The Main Street Tax Credit Incentive is a fantastic opportunity to keep your B&O tax dollars local. It’s easy to set up and shows your community pride. Please take a few minutes…give us a call and we can answer any questions…or look at our website www.mlbacares.org for more information.”

Anna Unruh, Moses Lake Business Association Main Street Tax Incentive Contributor Relations, says “I’m excited to be a part of this program, because it keeps our tax dollars right here in Moses Lake, and it benefits the businesses as well as the town. I look forward to meeting with businesses in Moses Lake and explaining the benefits to them and the community.” Anna will be calling on local businesses to explain the program and help them get signed up.