Stay With Us - Verona Road Business Coalition

Stay Connected with the Verona Road Construction Project

The Verona Road Business Coalition (VRBC) is a volunteer group of Verona Road businesses and citizens concerned about the largest and longest urban road construction in the state of Wisconsin. Its mission is to minimize disruption to businesses over the projected five-year construction period; keep businesses, customers and the general public informed of alternate routes; provide help and support for people and businesses affected by the ongoing Verona Road construction issues; advocate with governmental entities for the businesses affected by the construction; and finally and most importantly, develop and execute joint marketing campaigns to promote the businesses in the corridor.

We've got an action-packed calendar of events and initiatives lined up for 2015! Please take a couple of minutes to see what we've got 'paving the way' as opportunities for you, your business and teams to get involved on a myriad of levels.

We have some ambitious initiatives ahead, from important advocacy and outreach initiatives with WisDOT through our Logistics Committee, recruiting 10 Block Captains to represent the Verona Road Business corridor, hosting VRBC special events, developing the VRBC Strategic and Marketing Plan, securing of our valued sponsors and funding, the launch of the VRBC website, and conducting Business Seminars on topics you asked for!

It is my pleasure to draw your attention to the incredible volunteer leaders giving their time to VRBC's strategic efforts through the Executive, Marketing, Logistics and Community Outreach Committees. Our Committees all have open seats for business owners and community stakeholders.

Read on. Review our plans. Mark your calendars.

VRBC - Paving the Way in 2015!

Cindy K. Jaggi

Project Manager, Verona Road Business Coalition

We Are Listening To You! VRBC Launches Business Survey

The VRBC Business Survey was implemented in 2014 and a great big 'thank you' to all those that responded. You told us what you were most concerned about during the upcoming Verona Road construction project.

Survey Results:

40% of those that responded have already seen a decrease in your business and customer traffic in 2014
Advocacy with WisDOT on construction issues and Business and Customer Retention are your most important concerns in Phase 1 of the Verona Road construction project
How can VRBC best assist your businesses during Phase 1 construction?

	Advocacy with WisDOT, municipalities on signage, traffics, access	54%
	Communication on road construction developments & progress	54%
	Business Development & Customer Retention	44%
	Social Media Marketing	44%

Thank you for your responses...We Are Listening!

Condemnation Seminar - Mark Your Calendar!
We are listening to you! You asked for information on surrounding state condemnation issues, zoning and land use appeals. We are hosting a Business Seminar to address your issues and concerns.

When: Thursday, March 5th, 2015 at 6:30 pm at the Fitchburg Public Library

Meet Our Speaker: Allen A. Arntsen is a partner and trial attorney with Foley & Lardner LLP. Mr. Arntsen has substantial experience in federal and state condemnation actions, zoning and land use appeals, developer issues, annexations, and public financing. He has represented both acquiring agencies and landowners in over 50 contested eminent domain cases. Mr. Arntsen has been lead trial counsel in cases involving a condemnor's right to take property, relocation benefits, and valuation issues, before condemnation commissions, courts, and juries.

Mr. Arntsen has been lead counsel in actions affecting all manner of energy infrastructure disputes, including natural gas transmission pipelines, electrical transmission lines, hydroelectric facilities and wind farms. He also has been lead counsel in numerous telecommunications disputes in which he successfully obtained judicial decisions for his clients.

Please plan to join us for this important Business Seminar.

VRBC Launches Logistics Committee

The VRBC Logistics Committee has been launched and held its Kick-off meeting on Feb. 4, 2015. The committee's role is to:

Serve as a liaison between WisDOT project managers, construction personnel and the VRBC businesses and other committees - to work out strategies for 2016 and beyond.
Communicate regularly on construction plans and work being scheduled, including timelines & updates, with all concerned
The committee is concerned with shor-range (1-5 year) process and operational approaches that produce improved logistics issues and their implications for the business and organizations along the Corridor.

Steve Theisen, WisDOT Communications Manager, and Logistics Committee member provided the following update:

Stage 2 work will be 'put out for bid' in June 2016 with a LET date in July 2016.
The appraisal process for Stage 2 is currently planned to be complete by late July/early August 2015.
Upcoming Open House Meetings: March 26, 2015; June 25, 2015; September 24, 2015; and December 17, 2015. All meetings will be held at the Fitchburg Fire Station on King James Way (5:30 to 7:30 pm). All are welcome!

An announcement/email blast with this information will be sent in late February/early March.

VRBC Website Launching in February!

Watch for details.

The VRBC Website will include special offers provided by VRBC sponsors; alternative routes and detours; and a business toolkit for use during the construction project.

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