AustinTalks (http://austintalks.org/tag/economic-development/)
The Chicago City Council recently approved a $1 million grant for Catalyst Circle Rock Elementary School, 5608 W. Washington Blvd., to turn a vacant auditorium into the Glen & Lonni Kehrein Center for the Arts.
After two years of work involving more than 400 people, the plan was celebrated Saturday at Michele Clark Magnet High School. Now seven task forces each devoted to a key issue area will begin implementing the plan.
Five businesses are receiving grants of up to $250,000. They are Ted’s Place at 5813 W. Madison St.; Sky-Light Carpentry Services at 5420 W. Division St..; Coleman’s Bar-B-Que #2 at 5754 W. Chicago Ave.; Chubby’s Char House at 5963 W. Madison St.; and Brown Sugar Bakery, at 4800 W. Chicago Ave.
Over the next several days, Austin Coming Together and LISC Chicago will be holding the last set of community meetings in a year-long process to develop the improvement plan.
The seven working groups will meet from Feb. 26 through March 7 at Austin Coming Together’s offices at 5049 W. Harrison. The working groups are: public safety, youth, housing, civil engagement, education, economic development and community narrative.
Dozens of people working on a five-year, quality-of-life plan met last week to determine next steps. Austin Coming Together is leading efforts to produce the plan, which is expected to be unveiled this summer.
State Rep. La Shawn Ford praises Austin business owners and urges banks to do a better job of supporting West Side businesses.
Join in on the discussion June 7 from 6 to p.m. An expert panel will explore the ways this rich tradition can help draw visitors to Austin.
Malcolm Crawford, head of the Austin African American Business Networking Association, urges business owners operating along the “Soul City Corridor” on Chicago Avenue to apply for the grants because they’re located in a retail thrive zone.
Activists, some elected officials continue to push for the taxpayer funds to be used to improve Austin.