The City of Monmouth is embarking upon their 7th month with consulting group 353 Cout with the goal of revitilizing the downtown area.
353 Court, located in Pekin, focuses on helping communities move first from vacant to vibrant buildings while developing the identity of the Monmouth community.
353 Court Founder, Todd Thompson, describes the process:
“We look first at the buildings that are in the community, the businesses that are in the community presently, and the businesses that want to be in the community. We then focus on branding that together.
Usually what we run into or look at is a town that has a significant amount of deferred maintenance – maybe 30 or 40 years sometimes – and that’s where our vacancy and blight comes from. we start with that and then we identify the what the potential of the community is and then we start working towards that potential.”
The consultants were pleased to report that through their many interviews of local business owners the spirit of entrepreneurship in Monmouth is “alive and well.” You can hear the complete interview with economic development opportunities for the future of Monmouth at www.radiomonmouth.com.
