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.

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.

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.”

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.

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!

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!

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 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.

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.

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.

Entertainment for the event includes the Lake City Blues band, Bill Ecret Entertainment, who will MC the event ,as well as Dime Store Prophets. Entertainment starts at 11am with the Lake City Blues band who will play until 1pm, and then again from 2pm until 4pm and continues throughout the day with Dime Store Prophets playing from 5-7pm.

This event is a family friendly event that will include a Kid’s Zone that will include Chalk on the Block, face painting, the Kangaroo Bounce House and a hands-on Science Booth brought to you by the Girl Scounts of Eastern & Northern Idaho.

Jim McKiernan, Moses Lake Business Association Secretary, says “Central Washington needs some larger events that draw people from the rest of the state. With the popularity of cooking shows on TV, specifically BBQ Pitmasters, etc, the BBQ competition seemed like a great idea. We hope to see it eventually draw ten’s of thousands of people to downtown Moses Lake similar to the competition in Yakima.”

Marianne Kirwan, Moses Lake Business Association Executive Director, says “The Basin BBQ Bash is sure to be a fun day…live music…commercial and food vendors…car show…Kid’s Zone…and a BBQ competition!  Bring your family out and enjoy our beautiful downtown!”

Sponsorships are needed to assist in putting on this event. Sponsors can donate money and will be given the opportunity to set up a booth at the event, have their business mentioned in PA announcements and have their business promoted on Facebook and on the www.mlbacares.org website. There are many ways of getting involved and showing your support for what MLBA hopes to be an annual event for LakeTown Landing.

Vendor applications are still being accepted with space limited to ten, go to www.mlbacares.org to download applications for food and commercial vendors.

If you make a contribution to MLBA before ­December 31, 2011: Part of your contribution qualifies as a 501(c)(3) charitable deduction on your 2012 federal income tax return. AND, 75% of your donation is returned to you via B&O tax credits in 2011.

In 2011, $1.5 million in tax credits is ­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.

Click to download the brochure.

National Night Out 

National Night Out is a unique nationwide event which is designed to enhance awareness about crime prevention.  Nationwide, more than 36 million people in 16,000 different communities will join forces to participate in this event.

Come on down to National Nite Out – America’s Nite Out Against Crime!

Tuesday, August 2^nd from 7 – 9 pm

Live Music in LakeTown Landing’s Sinkiuse Square – Centennial Band

Free Hot Dogs

Free Ice Cream at Firefly Café

Free Fingerprinting for Kids

Free crime prevention and child safety information

National Night Out is a unique nationwide event which is designed to enhance awareness about crime prevention.  Nationwide, more than 36 million people in 16,000 different communities will join forces to participate in this event.

Come help make this a special event this year.  Enjoy the evening and send a message that the citizens of Moses Lake are concerned about crime prevention.

The Moses Lake Business Association makes a donation to the Horticulture students from the Moses Lake High School. According to Chad Utter, instructor, the program teaches plant growth and development, responsibility, pride in putting out a good product and business management. “We figure out which plants that they’ll put in the pots, and then we’ll generally order plugs, (started plants) in September. Due mainly to the fact that it is a semester long class and it doesn’t start until January. Then the students transplant, put together hanging baskets, maintain the greenhouse, as well as work in the greenhouse every day. Our goal is to have blooming plants throughout the season as well as ornamental grasses to finish out the arrangement in the pot.”

The Moses Lake High School has their plant sale in May that is open to the public. “After the plant sale we go downtown to prepare the pots for plant material, then we take the plants we have set aside for downtown and plant them.” “By having these pots in LakeTown Landing as part of a class project I believe the students take more ownership in the cleanliness of the downtown area and take pride in making the downtown area look it’s best,” said Utter.

Back in 2007 the Moses Lake Business Association purchased 68 cement planters and plants from Skaug’s Ace Hardware. Eight of the planters located on the corners of Third Avenue are slightly larger in size than the others. In 2008 70 planters were purchased to add to the existing planters.

The Moses Lake Business Association’s partnership with the Moses Lake High School’s FFA students began in the fall of 2008 in preparation of the 2009 planting season and the relationship has continued every since. The MLBA makes a donation to the group for their services. The students also plant the planter boxes at the ends of Ash, Beech and under Monte’s Mural at the post office as well as around the clock in Sinkiuse Square.

The Moses Lake Business Association pays a water master to water the plants all summer as well as fertilize and remove dead plant material from the planters. The MLBA has a Gator and a pressurized tank that is used primarily for this purpose.

Dustyn Mattes, Moses Lake Business Association President, said “I appreciate the hard work and the students involved really help make downtown look wonderful. Without this effort a project like this would be left up to individual businesses. MLBA is thankful the Horticulture Department chose to help us with this project, it really has brought an added beauty to our downtown.”

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.

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MOSES LAKE – The sun was just rising as volunteers spread through downtown Moses Lake to clean sidewalks Saturday morning.

The annual Moses Lake Citywide Clean Up began with a good hose-down thanks to volunteers, donated water trucks, and plenty of good intentions.

Marianne Bondi, of the Moses Lake Business Association, estimated about 40 volunteers turned out to help with the job.

“This is the ninth year we’ve done this,” Bondi said. “The Moses Lake Business Association started this to help get ready for summer.”

Bondi said the business association teamed up with Vision 2020 to make it a more comprehensive clean-up project.

Water trucks from Cenex Harvest States, Simplot, Wilbur-Ellis, Agrinomics, Baker Farms, and J & K Recycling weaved through downtown with volunteers trailing behind with hoses, towels, and garbage bags in hand.

“It’s a lot of fun (to do this),” volunteer David Plate, of Moses Lake, said. “It’s spring and we had such a rough winter.”

Plate said it was an opportunity to spend the morning with his kids doing something for the city.

“It makes downtown look nice,” Plate said.

Reid Baker, of Moses Lake, who provided trucks with water tanks as well as his time said he has volunteered with the sidewalk cleaning project for years.

“Our church called and asked if we wanted to participate,” Baker said.

Bondi said the only incentive for the volunteers was helping the community.

“We have the same people come every year to help beautify our downtown,” Bondi said.

Bondi noted that Shilo Inn Suites, of Moses Lake, donated towels for the clean-up at the last minute.

“We use them to keep water out of the businesses,” Bondi said.

Towels are stuffed against the bottoms of doors before the exterior sidewalks are hosed down in an effort to keep the doorways dry.

“We are always in need of more towels,” Bondi said.

More volunteers gathered at the Surf ‘n Slide Water Park in Moses Lake later in the morning to continue the cleanup effort.

For more information about the organization, call 509-764-1745.

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