The event is scheduled for Tuesday, January 6th at 8 a.m. in the Riverview Conference Room, located in the lower level of The Archer House, 212 Division Street, in downtown Northfield. Everyone interested in the economic and cultural vitality of downtown is encouraged to attend.

The NDDC was created in 1999 by a handful of concerned citizens to bring people together to work for a vibrant and vital downtown. The organization has grown considerably through the years, thanks to the generous community contributions of time, money, and ideas.

The “Founding Fathers” organized the NDDC based on the Main Street Four Point Program developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The group’s work plans, generated at their November Board Meeting and approved at their December Board Meeting, remain faithful to this approach.

Please join the NDDC Board Members next Tuesday to discuss the Work Plans for 2009.

The NDDC is a non-partisan, non-profit community organization dedicated to the vitality of downtown Northfield. The event is free and open to the public. As always, coffee and cookies will be served.

For more information, contact Executive Director Ross Currier at (507) 663-0319 or rcurrier@nddc.org.

As is the NDDC’s on-going practice, the projects and programs are organized by the Four Points of the Main Street approach created in 1977 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Board envisions a vigorous start for 2009. The final draft of the Work Plans is presented below:

ORGANIZING:

(Board and Executive Committee)

• Re-establish a finance committee.

• Each board member should take on at least one project.

• Need administrative help for executive director in critical areas.

• Two meetings per year with Boards of Economic Development Partners

• Hold six forums and four Block Head meetings in ‘09.

• Conduct Twelve Board Visits to Businesses in ‘09.

(PR and Communication Committee)

• Increase regular communication with partners and stakeholders

• Finish update of integrated database of partners, stakeholders, and downtown businesses.

• Begin assembling and analyzing baseline market data

• Ship Beta-Stage Retail Index Reference Project in ‘09.

PROMOTING:

(Events and Marketing Committee)

• Continue our sponsored promotions, cooperate with other organizations’ promotions and support collaborative efforts of retailers.

• Make progress on a “Virtual Division Street” program.

• Determine use for the new-resident data we get from Welcome Services for You.

• Hold Annual Meeting in ‘09.

DESIGNING:

(Design and Planning Committee)

• Transition from current parking task force into standing committee.

• Advocate for continuing the Streetscape improvement program and a more active downtown maintenance program.

• Revive effort for Newspaper Corrals: Revive this effort. Note: We will need an ordinance requiring all distribution boxes to be located only in corrals.

• Continue advocating for public toilets downtown.

• Promote, support, collaborate in, and contribute to erecting a permanent, changeable copy sign at 5^th and Hwy 3 in Ames Park.

(Arts and Culture Committee)

• Serve as Organizational Entity for Sixth Annual ArtSwirl

• Research and Plan, through Task Force, a new Art Fest, possibly for 2010

• Work Collaboratively to Achieve an Intentional and Publicized Calendar for Gallery Crawls

RESTRUCTURING:

(ER Team)

• Revisit outside dining ordinance; it sunsets in ‘09 and will have to be readopted.

• Continue working on property tax reductions.

• Continue working (collaboratively) on In-Fill and Redevelopment Initiative.

• Turbo-Charge efforts on Retention, Recruitment, Restructuring.

• Continue working toward NDDC participation in a high priority development project.

The November meeting focused on a critical review of the Accomplishments and an unconstrained consideration of Work Plans. The December meeting was a progression to greater specificity and emphasize on the Top Priorities for the upcoming year.

The accomplishments discussed in November included:

ORGANIZING -

Operated with two new committees: Events and Marketing & Communications/PR

Continued to Produce Quarterly Block Head Gatherings and Monthly Forums

Conducted Stakeholder, Councilor, Police Chief Meetings on Quality of Life Issues

Set-up Downtown Business Networking Tool (with NEC and CBBC)

Produced First Ever Annual Partnership Celebration

PROMOTING -

Gave birth to Patty Cash, Downtown’s Bovine Mascot

Produced or Supported Girls Nite Out, June Bug, Taste of Northfield, ArtSwirl, Fall Fest

Established On-going Partnering with CVB and Northfield Historical Society

Continued Popular Welcome Students and Family Weekend Campaigns

Installed 2^nd Historic Northfield Sign on Highway 35 (funded by the CVB)

DESIGNING -

Partnered with Northfield In Bloom

Advocated for Downtown Library Feasibility Study

Continued to Work with City on Banner Program and Spring Cleaning

Celebrated Way-finding Signs Installation, “Harvest” Sculpture Placement

Created North End Design Committee

RESTRUCTURING -

Continued to Pursue Legislation for Commercial Property Tax Reduction

Conducted Board Visits to New Businesses

Renewed Retention and Recruitment Efforts (with Main Street and LISC)

Created New Partnerships on Business Management Topics (NEC and South Central College)

Initiated In-Fill and Redevelopment Collaboration (with EDA and Chamber)

Tonight, Tuesday, December 23rd, there’s an Exhibit Closing Party, a two-day-early ChARTdonnay, and special sneak preview, 3 to 10 p.m., ArtOnWater Gallery, 217 South Water Street and a Blue Grass and Old Time Jam Session, 7:30 to 10:00 p.m., The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street. If you haven’t already done so, be sure to check out the Member’s Show at the Northfield Arts Guild, 304 Division Street, open ’til 5 p.m. today. It’s a delightful offering of cultural activities to wrap around your last-minute shopping and socializing.

Tomorrow, Wednesday, December 24th, is Christmas Eve. You should probably try to finish your shopping early and spend the rest of the day and night with friends and family. Might I suggest one of the many fine shops in Downtown Northfield, as well as the fun eating and drinking establishments. The next day, December 25th, is Christmas.

Friday, there’s Karaoke, 9 p.m., at the Rueb-N-Stein, 503 Division Street, and Chris Herriges, at the Tavern Lounge, riverside of The Archer House, 212 Division Street. Saturday, there’s DJ Music at the Rueb, one of my favorites, Marty Anderson and the Goods, at The Contented Cow, and Norwegian Cowboy at the Tavern Lounge. Then Sunday, there’s the usual line-up of Politics and a Pint, Northern Roots Session, and Quiz Night at The Cow.

Ho, ho, ho…and have a Happy Holidays…from the folks at the Northfield Downtown Development Corporation and the people who make it all possible, the building and business owners of Downtown Northfield. Please support them as they support our community.

…town and check out the Craft Collective’s Holiday Reception at Grezzo Gallery.

Thursday, December 18th, it ChARTdonnay Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., ArtOnWater Gallery, 217 South Water Street, Karaoke, 9 p.m., Froggy Bottoms, 305 South Water Street, Mark Mraz, The Tavern Lounge, riverside of The Archer House, 212 Division Street, and Scott Bravo, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street.

Friday, December 19th, it’s Karaoke, 9 p.m., The Rueb-N-Stein, 503 Division Street, the Eggmen, The Contented Cow, and Ian Alexy, The Tavern Lounge.

Saturday, December 20th, it the Craft Collective Holiday Reception, 2 to 6 p.m., Grezzo Gallery, 16 Bridge Square, the Exhibit Closing Reception, ArtOnWater Gallery, 5 to 9 p.m, Tuition Daddies, 6:30 to 9 p.m., Hogan Brothers, 415 Division Street, DJ Music, 9 p.m., The Rueb-N-Stein, and After October, The Tavern Lounge.

Then Sunday, December 21st, it’s Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., Northern Roots Session, 7:30 p.m., and Quiz Night, 8 p.m., all at The Contented Cow.

Tonight, Thursday, December 11th, it’s ChARTdonnay Thursday, 5 to 9 p.m., at ArtOnWater Gallery, 217 South Water Street, the Opening Reception for the Annual Members Show at the Northfield Arts Guild Gallery, 7 to 9 p.m., 304 Division Street, the Northfield Liquor Store’s Wine Club hosts an Open to the Public Wine Tasting, 7 to 9 p.m., The Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street, Winner of 2007s “Midwest’s Next Big Comic” Josh Denny, 8 p.m., Upstairs Rueb, 503 Division Street, Karaoke, 9 p.m., Froggy Bottoms, 305 South Water Street, and Chris Herriges, Tavern Lounge, riverside of the The Archer House, 212 Division Street.

Friday, December 12th, it’s a Talk and Book signing by Al Quie, 1:30 p.m., Buntrock Commons, St. Olaf College, an Acoustic Show featuring Aaron Frederick, Riley McGillivray, Tim Hollinger, and Nathan Monklien, 7 p.m., The Key, 303 South Water Street, It’s a Wonderful Life, 7:30 p.m., Arts Guild Theater, 411 West Third Street, Casablanca Orchestra, 8:30 p.m., The Grand Event Center, 315 Washington Street, Karaoke, 9 p.m., the Rueb-N-Stein, 503 Division Street, Draper Daniels, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street, and Jeff Ray, Tavern Lounge, riverside of the Archer House, 212 Division Street.

Saturday, December 13th, it’s the 7th Annual Jingle Bell Run/Walk, 8 a.m. registration/9 a.m. start, Northfield Armory, 519 South Division Street, the Closing Event of the Northfield High School Alumni Art Show, 2 to 5 p.m., Northfield High School, 1400 Division Street, Northfield Youth Choirs Concert: Gloria, 3 p.m., Skinner Chapel, Carleton College, It’s a Wonderful Life, 7:30 p.m., Arts Guild Theater, Bonnie and the Clydes, 8 to 11 p.m., The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street, The Fabulous Lovehandles, 8;30 p.m., The Grand Event Center, 316 Washington Street, DJ Music, 9 p.m., the Rueb-N-Stein, 503 Division Street, and Norwegian Cowboy, Tavern Lounge, riverside of the Archer House, 212 Division Street.

Sunday, December 14th, it’s a matinee of It’s a Wonderful Life, 2 p.m., Arts Guild Theater, 411 West Third Street, Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., Northern Roots Session, 7:30 p.m., and Quiz Night, 8 p.m., all at the Contented Cow, 302B Division Street.

What the heck, let’s call it a four-day weekend…Monday, December 15th, it’s a Book-signing: Jeremey Greenberg, 7 p.m., sponsored by River City Books, at the Contented Cow, 302B Division Street, and Nordic Jam, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Ole Cafe, 1011 St. Olaf Avenue.

The group reviewed the ideas relating to Market, Barriers, Assets, and Action Steps generated at the first session. There was some clarifying of terms and sharing of experiences but the focus was on moving toward prioritization of action steps for 2009.

It was of interest to me that although there were common themes to both discussions, there were clearly a few nuanced differences too. While there were a number of action steps related to our market(ing) and financial tools in the first session, the group in the second session was far more focused on removing obstacles and supporting successful models.

The attendees from both sessions are now selecting their top five priorities. We are planning to conduct a third session in mid-January and intend to produce a work plan/action matrix with names and dates assigned to the tasks.

Working together, we can accomplish great things for Northfield.

Mosey brought some interesting experiences with her from Stevens Point, Wisconsin, where she was the Executive Director of the Arts Alliance of Portage County. During her tenure on the other side of the Mississippi River, she conducted an Economic Impact Study of the arts, developed a Public Arts Master Plan, and coordinated collaborations in Tourism Marketing.

These experiences were immediately evident in her presentation. Ann seeks to expand collaborations between the downtown retailers and the arts community, looks forward to completing a strategic plan for the Arts Guild, offers her support of a local economic impact study of the arts, and, in her spare time, is considering founding and producing something along the lines of her Deep Winter Film Festival.

Mosey views the Northfield Arts Guild as a key member of the local arts community. “The Arts Guild is one entity at a table with many entities”, she told the group.

One of the unique strengths of Northfield that immediately struck Ann when she first visited is the presence of a number of private galleries in Northfield. She views these as a critical, and often missing, asset in cultural tourism marketing. She is also excited about the new energy and ideas coming out of the current Arts Quarter work. Her experiences in Stevens Point indicate that mutually beneficial partnerships between businesses and arts and culture organizations are crucial to successful economic leveraging.

Business leaders were key supporters of the arts in culture in her previous community, but the local government played an important role too. Both groups saw a link between employee retention and recruitment and the arts. In fact, the City of Portage said to her, “Tell us what you’re doing and we’ll help you do it”.

Over 400 people involved in community economic development from around the region attended. As you can imagine, we live in exciting times, particularly those of us involved in community economic development.

LISC Executive Director Andriana Abariotes welcomed us. She recognized that we faced new challenges.

Then former St. Paul Mayor George Latimer led a panel discussion with leaders from the The McKnight Foundation, Travelers Foundation, Wells Fargo Foundation Minnesota, and the Northwest Area Foundation. While the panelists acknowledged the stock market decline adversely impacted their resources, all of the panelists, encouraged by Latimer, said that there were new opportunities for collaborative efforts between the public and private sectors.

During the break, I was able to connect with several of the people I had sought, including Ron Price, Senior Program Officer (and retail specialist) at LISC. He guided me to several excellent on-line resources which I am continuing to explore.

At lunch, I sat at a table full of bankers and equity investors. They all agreed that there was still money out there, that the underwriting requirements, at least for affordable housing, were still shaped largely by the state, and that the biggest change was a “flight to quality”, meaning higher returns and/or more reliable cash flow for financial participants.

Julie Causey, Chair of Western Bank, Michael Rubinger, President and CEO of LISC, Dan Bartholomay, Commissioner of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, and Elizabeth Kautz, Mayor of Burnsville, spoke during lunch. All were anticipating roles for the private sector in the economic development efforts initiated by the public sector in the coming months.

During the afternoon, I attended a session on “Community Development’s Return on Investment”. The speakers were Paul Fate, President and CEO of CommonBond Communities, Peter Heegaard, Founder and Director of Urban Adventure, and Mike Temali, Executive Director of the Neighborhood Development Center. All of the speakers seemed to indicate that neighborhoods were now being reviewed much like businesses, as a single entity that generates jobs, sales, and tax revenues.

The themes emphasized by the speakers during the conference included: 1. Collaboration, 2. Holism, 3. Community Engagement, and 4. Regional Integration. They are not unfamiliar to many of us in community economic development in Northfield.

Personally, I thought other concepts were strongly represented in the sessions. In my mind these were: 1. Grow Existing Assets, 2. Produce Local Results, 3. Clarify the Specifications of Success, and, in the current environment, 4. Cut Through the Noise, Fear, and Uncertainty when Making Decisions.

It was a great opportunity to renew old friendships, interact with peers and share successful models. I anticipate generating returns on this “investment” as part of the NDDC’s work plan for 2009.

Friday, December 5th, It’s a Wonderful Life, 7:30 p.m., Northfield Arts Guild Theater, 411 West Third Street, St. Olaf Christmas Festival, 7:30 p.m., Skoglund Center on the St. Olaf College Campus, Karaoke, 9 p.m., Rueb-N-Stein, 503 Division Street, Beguine Brothers Old Time Country and Western Revue, The Contented Cow, 302B Division Street, and Joe Meyer, at the Tavern Lounge, riverside of The Archer House, 212 Division Street.

Saturday, December 6th, Festival of Trees, 6 to 9 p.m., Northfield Arts Guild Center for the Arts, 304 Division Street, with a Wine and Cheese benefit for scholarship programs, Scandium, 6 to 8 p.m., at The Contented Cow, It’s a Wonderful Life, 7:30 p.m, Arts Guild Theater, St. Olaf Christmas Festival, 7:30 p.m., Skoglund Center on the St. Olaf College Campus, Karaoke, The Fieldhouse, 9 p.m., Riverpark Mall on Water Street, DJ Music, 9 p.m., the Rueb-N-Stein, Matt Arthur and the Bratlanders, at the Contented Cow, and Jon Manners, at the Tavern Lounge.

Sunday, December 7th, “a date which will live in infamy”, It’s a Wonderful Life, 2 p.m., Arts Guild Theater, St. Olaf Christmas Festival, 3:30 p.m., Skoglund Center on the St. Olaf College Campus, Politics and a Pint, 6 p.m., Northern Roots Session, 7:30 p.m., and Quiz Night, 8 p.m., all at The Contented Cow.

So come on down(town) and enjoy the decorations of the season. You’ll be building your community by having a little fun this weekend.